Category: News

Euro NCAP has revealed its latest round of safety testing, with only out of 16 models failing to secure the top five-star rating.

The car safety organisation said it shows the ‘determination of manufacturers to do well’ in the tests, which was the largest group ratings to be carried out in 2022. Kicking off proceedings was the Tesla Model S – tested again after its last visit to NCAP in 2014 – which secured a five-star rating and the highest score (98 per cent) in the driver assistance category.

Toyota’s new electric bZ4X and its Subaru Solterra twin also receive the top five-star safety rating, as did Hyundai’s Ioniq 6, the new Honda Civic and the Renault Austral.

Nissan had two five-star ratings in the latest round of testing, with its new seven-seat X-Trail and electric Ariya SUVs both scoring well, as did the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross and the latest Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.

The latest wave of Chinese brands coming to Europe also reaffirmed their commitment to safety, with the new Smart #1 crossover (now produced by Geely in China), Wey Coffee 02 small SUV and Nio ET7 saloon all receiving top marks.

In fact, it was only the DS 9 saloon that didn’t score top marks, with Euro NCAP docking its rating at four stars due to a ‘penalty in the frontal offset test for being an aggressive impact partner towards other electric vehicles’.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general, said: “Manufacturers are keen to achieve good scores in this year’s tests as next year protocols become more stringent and provide increased challenges for vehicle development.

“In 2023, in line with its Vision 2030, Euro NCAP will be focusing on a range of new aspects. For example, we are putting in place autonomous emergency braking (AEB) protocols for motorcycles as well as new scenarios in passive safety for pedestrians and cyclists, extending the area where these two vulnerable users might interact with a vehicle. This is necessary progress in safety for other road users.”

Close to one in five drivers has said that they’d delayed their recommended two-year eyesight check-up, a new survey has found.

The study also found that six per cent of drivers believed it had been more than five years since their last eye test.

The study of 2,113 drivers conducted by Glasses Direct Transitions also found that 14 per cent of drivers admitted to avoiding going to the optician for fear of losing their driving licence.

David Hutchfield, qualified optician and head of professional services from Glasses Direct said: “If you need to wear glasses for driving — indicated by a 01 code under section 12 on your driving licence — then you must also get sunglasses that adhere to your prescription and not just off-the-shelf glasses.

“Worryingly, this doesn’t seem to be common knowledge as only five per cent of drivers who are required to wear glasses (and have the code) could accurately identify it”.

Seven per cent have delayed their driving test because they’re worried about losing their independence, while a further four per cent know they need to go to the opticians but can’t afford the required changes to their prescription.

These figures also worsen with age, with the over 65s the most likely group to risk driving dangerously. The survey also found that 14 per cent of drivers had been involved in a collision or near-miss because of impaired vision on the road.

Audi has redesigned its famous four rings logo, ditching the chrome look of its predecessor.

It brings a flatter look than before and a contrasting black-and-white appearance.

The design of the logo also allows it to still look three-dimensional in detail and tie in more closely with the badge that it replaces.

All cars will wear a badge with a thin black border around the four rings, regardless of the car’s exterior colour or grille design. Plus, it’ll be available in solid black as an option on certain models.

Audi designer André Georgi said: “Our philosophy is that every detail must convey a meaning or serve a purpose. On the product, it is – above all, our four rings, unmissable on the front and rear of every Audi model, that make an Audi an Audi. We want our quality to speak through the design and the product itself.

“The new two-dimensional look gives our rings a significantly more modern and even more graphic makeover, although their geometry is almost identical to the former ones.”

These more modern Audi rings design first appeared in 2016 ‘as a consequence of digitalisation’ with this new version taking on a 3D look instead.

Georgi added: “We want the four rings to look the same everywhere in the future: Whether in a magazine, on your smartphone, or a billboard – and on or inside the car.”

Audi says that all new models being built will feature the updated logo, with the new Q8 e-tron electric SUV being one of the first of the firm’s vehicles to wear the new-look badge.

AA patrols have been attending an extra 225 pothole-related breakdowns each day during November.

The breakdown provider has seen a marked increase in issues caused by potholes since the start of the month, with increased rainfall and standing water hiding issues in the road surface from sight.

These rain-obscured potholes can also prove to be extremely dangerous for cyclists and motorcyclists, with he AA issuing a warning to road users to watch out for potential dangers hiding underneath standing water.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “Potholes hidden by rainfall are one of the worst things all road users must overcome when they head out.

“Well hidden potholes, deeper than expected, and with the ability to cause monumental damage mean our crumbling roads are deteriorating at a rapid rate.”

Potholes can cause a number of mechanical issues to a car, with tyre blowouts, punctures and suspension damage all leading problems that come from an impact.

King added: “An additional 225 pothole related breakdowns a day in November alone is shocking and will only worsen as more rain is predicted and the weather turns cold – causing more damage along the way.

“On safety grounds alone, we need to see local road investment maintained, but the reality is our residential streets need a massive cash injection. Hopefully the chancellor and prime minister can level up our roads on Thursday.

A series of classic cars smashed a number of world records after going under the hammer at auction recently.

The Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Motor Show Sale in Birmingham saw a number of models go up for grabs, with the event’s total coming to £7 million with a 75 per cent sell rate.

Rob Hubbard, sales director of Silverstone Auctions, comments: “Given the tough economic situation the country currently finds itself in, this sale was a vote of confidence in classic car collecting.

“The international interest was the biggest we’ve seen with a strong presence of Europeans. As a result we had a good sell rate and some very satisfying new world and UK records achieved.”

One of the record-breaking cars was a 1989 Jaguar XJ-S convertible, which registered just 100 miles from new. It smashed a previous world-record price by over £86,00, with the hammer finally falling at £131,625.

Another record-breaker was a 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ-400, which sold for £72,000, while a 1998 Mercedes 300SL with just under 6,000 miles on the clock went for £75,375.

A big-hitter was a 2009 Ford Focus RS with just 357 miles on the clock. Finished in an iconic ‘Ultimate Green’ colour, this achieved a new world record sale price of £63,000.

A 1972 Ford Transit MK1 long-wheelbase van in ‘impressive collector quality’ fetched £61,875 at the auction, beating a previous record set in 2020.

Kia has discontinued its striking-looking Stinger, with the electric EV6 GT taking the mantle as the firm’s new flagship instead.

First introduced in 2016, the Stinger showcased a new, more dynamic side to the South Korean firm, with the car’s 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 making it Kia’s fastest-accelerating car for many years. It could manage the 0-60mph sprint in 4.5 seconds.

However, the arrival of the new EV6 GT with its 577bhp all-wheel-drive electric setup has dashed the Stinger’s performance figures. It can go from 0-60mph in under 3.5 seconds, in fact, and takes the place as Kia’s most powerful production car to date.

Paul Philpott, President & CEO for Kia UK, comments: “The launch of the Stinger will go down as a transformative moment for Kia. Its driver-focused ‘grand tourer’ credentials, paired with Kia’s reputation for vehicle quality and design, made it an incredibly compelling car for drivers. At the same time, it also had a transformative effect on how people saw Kia.”

Kia has stated that the Stinger will remain in production in its native South Korea and all existing UK customer orders will be fulfilled. The EV6 GT, meanwhile, is now available to order ahead of first deliveries commencing in the final quarter of 2022.

Philpott added: “The EV6 GT is the ideal car to take the baton from the Stinger in the UK. Our future product plan has a major focus on electrification, and globally Kia plans to offer a line-up of 14 EVs by 2027.

“Combining high-performance capabilities with an incredible design and a long-range electric powertrain, the EV6 GT is an important part of this plan, and a true new flagship for the Kia brand.”

Six-in-10 drivers believe that the state of the local roads they used frequently is worse than a year ago, a new survey has found.

The RAC’s 2022 Report on Motoring which spoke to 3,102 drivers found that 55 per cent thought that the standard of pothole repairs is, at best, ‘poor’.

Just four per cent believe that the state of the local roads in their area has improved in the past 12 months, down from six per cent in the last two years.

The research also showed that those believing their local roads had become worse had grown by two per cent from 58 per cent in 2021, and up eight per cent on 52 per cent in 2020/

Though more drivers also believe that the condition of motorways and dual carriageways is worse this year than last, the proportion is ‘significantly’ lower at 38 per cent, compared to the 32 per cent recorded in 2021.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Given the sharp rise in concern about fuel prices this year, the fact local road maintenance remains such a prominent issue is a reflection of just how deep-seated this problem has become.”

Issues with surface quality are the main reasons why drivers say that the condition of their local roads has deteriorated, while 86 per cent of drivers say that they often have to steer to avoid potholes.

This rises to 90 per cent among those who live in rural locations, but drops back to 81 per cent for those in urban areas.

Furthermore, 63 per cent report faded road markings – up from 56 per cent last year – while 42 per cent say signage visibility has worsened. Thirty-five per cent complain about the amount of litter at the side of the road, too.

Lyes added: “Sadly, neither drivers’ feelings or the RAC Pothole Index point to any substantial improvement in the quality of our local roads. Many describe the repair work – when it’s carried out – as being substandard which more than likely means potholes and surface defects will quickly reappear, costing yet more money to fix.”

A ‘time capsule’ Porsche 911 that once belonged to musical legend Peter Grant is being tipped to sell for an eye-watering £180,000.

The 930 Turbo was bought from new by Grant in 1980 and he kept it as part of his impressive collection of motors until his death in 1995.

After that it passed down to his son, Warren, who sold it a few years later. Since then it has seldom been used and is now being offered with less than 12,000 miles on the clock, despite being more than 40-years-old.

Up for sale with Silverstone Auctions, it is expected to fetch a fee of between £140,000 and £180,000.

The auctioneers say it remains in the same pristine condition as it was in when it was in Grant’s possession and hope its rock and roll heritage will help it stand out at auction.

Grant, who is said to have ‘ruled the entire music industry’, managed Led Zeppelin from all the way from their formation in 1968 to their breakup in 1980.

He is widely credited with improving pay and conditions for all musicians in dealings and was famed for his ruthless nature which is said to have been key in Led Zeppelin’s rise to the top.

Joe Watts who consigned the car for Silverstone Auctions, said: ‘The car’s current owner has stored it in his garage/workshop, using it only a handful of times, covering just 2,000 miles in the last 20 years; it now has 11,124 miles on the clock.

‘It has not moved or been started for around 15 years and is believed to be largely original, as when Grant owned it, with perhaps the exception of the bonnet that may have been painted.

‘It has recently had a full recommissioning (after coming out of hibernation) done in preparation to sell at auction, passing an MOT.’

He added: ‘It has been carefully stored, its paintwork is excellent and its interior is all-original. It comes with a huge history file, lots of invoices, handwritten letters, hotel bills etc. all with Peter Grant’s name on, both keys, original tool-roll, jack, Porsche-factory service kit and original dealer sticker in rear window – it is a proper time-capsule car!’

The Mercedes-AMG One has become the fastest production car to lap the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The new hypercar – which packs technology derived from Formula 1 – set an official measured time of 6:35.183 minutes, beating the previous record – set by a Porsche 911 GT2 RS – by close to ten seconds.

Racing driver Maro Engel was behind the wheel to set the record lap, which took place on October 28.

“That was really an unforgettable experience,” said Maro Engel after completing the lap.

“I didn’t expect that we would be able to set such a lap time with these track conditions. In some crucial areas of the track, it hadn’t dried completely yet and was therefore tricky. That was a special challenge.”

Mercedes-AMG brought two Ones to the famous ‘Green Hell’ to ensure that the track time was spent effectively. The One is powered by a hybrid setup which combines one combustion engine with four electric motors, delivering 1,049bhp in the process.

It’s accompanied by a claimed top speed of 218.7mph, while active aerodynamics and all-wheel-drive help to ensure that all of that power is transferred to the road effectively.

Engel added: “We tried to find the optimal deployment strategy during the pre-tests. Like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on their race weekends, I also had to deploy the electrical energy of the hybrid drive in the best possible way.

“That’s not easy, especially with this length of track. In addition, the DRS function had to be used optimally. But that’s also a real Formula 1 feeling. I would like to thank you for this opportunity and the trust you’ve placed in me. It was definitely something very special to drive this incredible car on the Ring.”

The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner appeared to blame journalists for not covering Just Stop Oil protests “appropriately” after the force was heavily criticised for arresting members of the press.

David Lloyd admitted officers may have “got it wrong” after LBC’s Charlotte Lynch was detained as she tried to report on the demonstrations causing widespread disruption on the M25.

But he insisted journalists should be “thinking about” whether it was right to give the protests the “oxygen of publicity”.

The force prompted outrage after Ms Lynch described being handcuffed and left in a cell on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance despite having shown officers media accreditation.

Documentary maker Rich Felgate and photographer Tom Bowles were also arrested a day earlier for trying to capture footage of the activists in Hertfordshire.

The pair had their equipment seized and were taken to a police station, despite efforts to show their press cards and explain they were there in a journalistic capacity.

“I think we’ve just got to ask ourselves as a society if we are handling the Just Stop Oil appropriately by giving them the oxygen of publicity,” PCC Lloyd told LBC’s Nick Ferrari on Thursday.

Mr Ferrari replied: “I put it to you that you are far better versed in police affairs than I am, but perhaps in the news business I might just have the edge. This is news – if you close vast tracks of a 116-mile orbital road because of one particular protest… that’s what we in the business call news.”

But the commissioner doubled down on his criticism of the way events along the motorway had been covered in the media.

He drew a comparison with how he imagined the press would report on a person trying to take their own life on a ring road, which he did not think would be covered “in the same way”.

“The question I’m pushing back to you is that fine line between reporting the news and making the news and whether or not that is crossed on occasion by reporting it in such a sensational way,” he said.

“I recognise it’s news, I recognise it’s interesting. But it would similarly be news if a vast portion of an orbital motorway were closed because someone was trying to commit suicide.

“We wouldn’t be – you wouldn’t be reporting that in the same way, and I just think you need to think about it. I’m not saying anyone should have any control over it, I’m very much up for a free press, but I just think that voluntarily you should be thinking about how do we report that.”

It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined police chiefs in calling for press freedom after the arrests earlier this week.

Mr Sunak said it is “vital” that journalists are able to do their job freely, “without restriction”, as the chief constable of Hertfordshire Police called for a review into the arrests.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters: “I am cautious about commenting on specific incidents. Operational decisions are a matter for the police but the Prime Minister strongly believes in championing press freedoms.

“We wouldn’t want to see those freedoms impeded while journalists are going about their day-to-day business.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “Press freedom is really important and you will often want to be – and quite rightly be – quite close to where difficult things are happening so you can report it well and I absolutely, absolutely support that.

“The principle that you’re going to be close to the action sometimes, and we should be sensitive to press freedom, of course, I completely agree with.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman later said the reports she had heard were “concerning”, but added that any investigation into what happened should be allowed “to run its course” without pre-judgment.

It came after Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper asked the Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans how the House could summon Ms Braverman to explain and apologise for the treatment of journalists covering protests given the “severity of the incidents”.

Hertfordshire Police, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, acknowledged that while the actions of its officers at the scene were “understandable”, Ms Lynch’s arrest “would not have been necessary”.

It added that extra measures are now in place to ensure that legitimate media can do their job, with officers instructed to ensure they conduct “full and thorough checks”.

The force said: “In addition, Mr (Chief Constable Charlie) Hall is requesting an independent force to examine our approach to these arrests and to identify any learning we should take in managing these challenging situations.”