Soaring numbers of automatic cars, combined with the mandated shift to electrification, could mean the end of manual driving tests in less than 20 years.
Specialist insurance broker Adrian Flux has analysed DVLA test data, highlighting the rapid growth in the number of learners drivers taking automatic-only assessments.
The past decade has seen a huge 270 percent increase in the number of driving tests taken with automatic cars. Based upon the trends seen in the data, Adrian Flux believes the manual driving test could become obsolete by 2040.
Automatic for the people
Driving tests conducted for an automatic-only licence numbered 324,064 in 2023, representing more than one third (37.4 percent) of all practical tests taken last year.
For younger drivers, the rate is even higher. Almost two thirds (61 percent) opted to undertake the practical test using an automatic car.
Driving this change is the rise in automatic vehicles being sold. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), just one quarter (24 percent) of new car sales in 2011 were automatic models. A decade later, that percentage has increased to 62 percent.
Electric cars and hybrids have accelerated the trend, meaning the traditional ‘stick shift’ has increasingly become a niche option for sports cars.
Stick with the stick-shift
Adrian Flux notes that as the number of drivers holding a licence to use a manual gearbox decreases, it could lead to problems for older vehicles. To enable classic cars to remain on the road, the company believes that manual driving lessons, and tests, need to continue.
Gerry Bucke, general manager at Adrian Flux, said: “We urge the government and DVSA to ensure that there is a future for timeless classic cars through creating options for manual learning, even in an automatic landscape. These vehicles are not only a means of transport, but a source of passion and community.”
‘‘We want to ensure future learners have the opportunity to pursue their love for classic vehicles,” Bucke added.
‘Imagine yourself walking into a private collection of barely seen cars and exhibits of never-glimpsed BMW creativity and history. Off in the dimly lit distance is a ’70s-style slide projector that’s flickered to life with previously unseen images, while an adjacent tape player delivers the voiceover…’
This is how Steve Saxty sets the scene for BMW’s Hidden Gems, one of a trio of new books grouped under the title of BMW Behind The Scenes. They explore the history of Munich’s design department, told through its most important cars and concepts, with contributions from famous names, such as Paul Bracq, who helped shape them.
Steve Saxty is a motoring author best known for his Secret Fords series of books – featured previously on Motoring Research. And it turned out BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk was a secret Ford fan, too…
Behind closed doors at BMW
“I was at home in New York one Sunday morning. It was brutally cold and there was snow on the ground outside,” recalls Saxty. “The phone rang and it was [Dutch car designer] Harm Lagaay. He’d just had lunch with Adrian van Hooydonk, who had mentioned buying a copy of Secret Fords. So I wrote a letter to Adrian – it had to be a proper letter, Harm said, not simply an email – and he invited me for an online meeting.”
That first conversation on Teams lasted more than an hour, and the project that followed would take two-and-a-half years – including numerous trips to Munich and 120 interviews with BMW insiders and past luminaries. Saxty was granted unprecedented access to the design department, along with the company’s huge archive near Garching.
“I camped out in the studio for weeks,” he explains. “Around 400 people have keycard access, but I was the only outsider allowed in. It’s their heritage and their legacy, but they said nothing was off-limits.”
Paying Hommage to the past
The main BMW by Design book, which stretches to nearly 300 pages, focuses on the story of BMW styling since the 1950s, told primarily through its concept cars. “These vehicles aren’t made for us on the outside,” says Saxty. “They are built to spur the designers’ creativity. Within the company, designing a concept is as important as doing a production car.”
Concepts featured range from a futuristic take on the vintage 328 to the modern 3.0 CSL Hommage R (pictured above) – a tribute to the legendary ‘Batmobile’ CSL. Saxty has unearthed hundreds of beautiful design drawings, including 40 hand-drawn sketches by Paul Bracq, with insightful captions to explain every detail.
The second book, BMW’s Hidden Gems, is shorter and easier to dip into, pulling together 10 untold stories or rarely seen cars. The gems include the BMW Garmisch concept (Marcello Gandini’s submission for the original E21 3 Series) and an exploration into “the jewellery of cars”: paint, badges and alloy wheels.
Lastly, the third book in the collection, BMW Art by Design, sees Saxty “dropping into the background and letting the designers introduce their own work”. It also comes with a folder of 18 art-quality BMW prints, ready for framing.
‘Driven to be different’
If you are a BMW enthusiast or simply interested in car design, BMW Behind The Scenes is an essential addition to your bookshelf. Beautifully presented and engagingly written, it does justice to the creativity of the cars within.
You might not like where BMW design has gone in recent years, but it has been a fascinating journey. “BMW is driven to be different,” Saxty concludes. “They see it as their absolute duty not to take the easy path.”
BMW by Design is available separately for £79.05, or you can order one of 1,500 individually numbered and signed copies of the three-book set for £237.21. Both are available from Steve Saxty’s website.
A new collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and pop star Will.i.am has led to an industry-first in car audio technology.
The innovative MBUX Sound Drive uses a host of sensors, combined with advanced software, to interpret how the car is being driven and provide a soundtrack.
This means steering inputs, acceleration and braking can all be used to make the car compose new music in real-time Even the rain sensors can detect poor weather conditions, then create soothing rhythms to reduce driver stress.
Coming to an AMG near you
Revealed at the CES 2024 technology show in Las Vegas, MBUX Sound Drive is no flight-of-fancy concept. The software will be made available soon on selected Mercedes-AMG and AMG Line vehicles.
The long-term aim is to see MBUX Sound Drive technology turned into an open music platform. Creative artists around the world could use the system to create new tracks.
Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer at Mercedes-Benz, explained: “We want digital innovation to bring a smile to our customers’ faces through exciting new features that make a real difference to every journey. With MBUX Sound Drive, AMG drivers are in control of the way their music sounds. It makes in-car entertainment much more immersive.”
‘Reshape music just by driving’
MBUX Sound Drive system is the latest project in a long-running partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Will.i.am. The Los Angeles-born recording artist previously created the WILL.I.AMG concept car, based on a Mercedes-AMG GT.
Along with his own music career, Will.i.am has also invested in numerous technology companies and initiatives. This included being a founding stakeholder in the Beats Electronics company.
Speaking at the MBUX Sound Drive launch, Will.i.am said: “Imagine a world where your car can become an instrument creating musical journeys. MBUX Sound Drive enhances driving and sound technology, letting motorists reshape music just by driving.
“I’m excited to see how composers, producers, and songwriters will harness this to create new works and reimagine classics for motorists to drive to. Sound Drive is not only a new frontier for music creation, but also opens up fresh, exciting and interactive listening experiences for drivers.”
Starting from mid-2024, Mercedes-Benz models with the second-generation MBUX system will be able to receive an over-the-air update to gain the Sound Drive app.
Lamborghini has made its forthcoming Lanzador electric ‘Ultra GT’ available as part of the Roblox online gaming platform.
Following the reveal of the Lanzador concept at Monterey Car Week in 2023, Roblox is the first chance for enthusiasts to get acquainted with the 1,360hp SUV before it enters production in 2028.
The 70 million active daily Roblox players will be able to take part in an immersive 3D experience as part of the Lamborghini Lanzador Lab.
Racing into the metaverse
First launched in 2006, Roblox is a collection of millions of user-created games offered through a single app. The platform has seen particular growth among players aged 17-24, and also drew in greater numbers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Lamborghini Lanzador Lab offers Roblox users a host of activities, including the ability to inspect a 3D model of the car, which resembles a sleeker, three-door Urus, with four individual seats and huge 23-inch alloy wheels.
Roblox users can also customise a digital Lanzador using Lamborghini’s Ad Personam personalisation programme, then attempt time trials on a virtual test track in their bespoke car.
A virtual recreation of the Automobili Lamborghini museum in Sant’Agata allows players to learn more about the history and design heritage of the famous Italian marque.
Mitja Borkert, design director at Lamborghini, said: “It’s great to see the Lanzador Design Lab and the general design language inside the Roblox experience. It’s opening it to an even younger generation”.
Virtual spending, real rewards
Roblox players can purchase special Lamborghini-branded merchandise for their in-game avatars. This includes racing helmets, hats and backpacks.
Three limited-edition Automobili Lamborghini Bull Heads are on offer for 1.5 million Robux (the game’s digital currency – worth about £6,800 at current rates) and the lucky buyers will receive a VIP invitation to visit Lamborghini headquarters in Italy.
Explaining the Roblox partnership, Christian Mastro, marketing director at Lamborghini, said: “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to reach a new generation of fans and showcase our brand’s leadership in both the digital and physical realms”.
New car registrations grew almost 18 percent in 2023 as sales recovered from the pandemic to record their best year since 2019.
1.9 million new cars were registered in 2023, according to preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders (SMMT), driven by extra-strong demand from fleets for tax-saving electric cars.
However, the car industry trade body warned that the high prices of EVs for private buyers was restricting overall electric car sales growth – with the proportion of new EV sales actually falling for the first time in 2023.
Electric cars still reached a record volume in 2023, growing by almost 50,000 units to 315,000 sales. This meant more EVs were sold in 2023 than in 2020 and 2021 combined.
However, it is fleets that are driving this demand – with just 1 in 11 private buyers choosing an EV in 2023.
It was a double Ford triumph too, with the Ford Transit Custom once again being the UK’s best-selling van. Ford has now led the UK commercial vehicle market for a staggering 58 consecutive years.
“I’m delighted that Puma was both the best-selling vehicle and car in the UK, and Transit Custom was the best-selling CV in 2023,” said Ford UK chair and MD Lisa Brankin.
“This terrific achievement in 2023 is a great foundation for us to step forward into 2024 and roll out our electrification plan at pace in both the car and van markets.”
Ford is planning to unveil an electric version of the Puma later in 2024, which will go on sale in 2025.
In terms of the UK’s favourite vehicle type, the market is evenly split across three sectors – superminis, SUVs and family hatchbacks.
Superminis such as the Ford Fiesta accounted for 29.8 percent of new car sales. Dual purpose cars such as the Ford Puma made up 28.6 percent of registrations. Lower medium cars like the Ford Focus took a 28.3 percent market share.
This left all other types of new car to fight over the remaining 13.3 percent of new car registrations.
The SMMT will release final 2023 new car registrations data at 9am today (Friday 5 January).
A halving of VAT on electric cars to 10 percent for three years would help make EVs more affordable for private buyers and put an extra 270,000 electric cars onto UK roads, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The car industry trade body says the UK is now the only major European car market without any EV incentives for private buyers.
This is now being reflected in new car sales figures, with the growth of electric car sales actually falling in 2023, to a market share of 16.5 percent.
This is despite the UK also only being the only market in the world with mandated minimum targets for new EV registrations, as part of the new ZEV Mandate.
In 2024, EVs must account for 22 percent of each car brand’s sales, rising to 80 percent by 2030.
Fines of £15,000 for every car sold over target will be imposed for brands who fail to achieve ZEV Mandate rules.
Sales of EVs to fleets boomed during 2023, as company car buyers capitalise on the huge tax savings they enjoy. This helped EVs account for 1 in 6 of all new car sales in 2023.
In contrast, just one in 11 private buyers chose an electric car.
How would an EV VAT cut work?
The SMMT wants the government to halve VAT to 10 percent on new EVs sold to private buyers.
It would be a temporary cut lasting for three years, and would give private buyers financial support similar to that for business buyers – where VAT can often be claimed back.
A 10 percent VAT rate on EVs would mirror discounts on other expensive green tech such as solar panels and heat pumps.
The SMMT calculates it would give consumers an extra £7.7bn in BEV buying power, while reducing the Treasury’s tax take by just 22 percent per vehicle.
“At the moment, the government is arguably getting a VAT windfall, because EVs are 30-40 percent more expensive,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“We’re calling for some of that to be given back to the consumer for a relatively short three-year period.”
On a £40,000 EV, halving VAT to 10% would save private new car buyers around £3,500, bringing electric car prices closer to their petrol and diesel counterparts.
The SMMT says that not only could it help put an extra 270,000 EVs on the road, it would also cut road CO2 emissions by more than five million tonnes.
“Government has challenged the UK automotive sector with the world’s boldest transition timeline and it is investing to ensure we are a major maker of electric vehicles,” said Mike Hawes.
“It must how help all drivers buy into this future, with consumer incentives that will make the UK the leading European market for ZEVs.”
The SMMT added it would ideally like to see an announcement in the spring budget on 6 March, to go live from the new tax year in April.
Driving in winter means dealing with many extra hazards. The days are shorter and temperatures drop dramatically. Then there’s the likelihood of heavy rain, snow, ice, fog and dazzling low sun.
However, while you can’t predict the weather, you can take sensible steps to improve your safety. These range from checking your car thoroughly before you set off, to adapting how you drive to suit the conditions.
In this guide, we’ve put together 10 tips for safer winter driving. But first, let’s look at getting prepared.
Before you set off
There are seven key things to check on your car before driving in winter, especially if you have a long journey ahead. Work through this list before you set off.
Battery: The car battery needs to work harder during the winter, so ensure it is regularly serviced.
Tyres: Make sure there is at least 2mm of tread depth on the tyres, preferably more. Consider investing in winter tyres, which are more effective in cold weather (not only in the snow).
Cooling system: Add anti-freeze into your cooling system, but be sure to use the appropriate strength of formula.
Wipers and washers: Use a high-strength screen wash and replace damaged or faulty wiper blades. Never use the wipers to clear ice from your car’s windscreen.
Defrosting: Do not pour boiling water onto the windscreen – the sudden change in temperature may cause it to crack. Instead, use an ice scraper and/or a can of de-icer. Remember to clear all areas of glass, including the door mirrors and lights.
Lights: Check that all exterior lights are working, including fog lights and reversing lights.
Roof and windows: Clear all snow and ice from the roof and windows before setting off.
10 tips for safer winter driving
1. High gear, low revs
Use a higher gear when setting off as this will give you greater control of the vehicle. In slippery conditions, avoid using first gear if possible; it may cause the wheels to spin.
2. Take your time
When driving in snow, avoid high revs, but don’t drive so slowly that you risk losing momentum. Keep going, as this could be the difference between making it home or skidding to a halt. Remember, if you’re stuck, the chances are other drivers will be too, so you’re unlikely to receive help.
3. Skidding
If you get into a skid on snow or on ice, take your feet off the pedals and steer to safety. Only use the brakes when you’re unable to steer away from trouble.
4. Braking
Triple your braking distance and maintain a sufficient gap between you and the car in front. On a slippery surface, any sudden movements – such as erratic steering or braking – may result in the car careering out of control. Use a lower gear to help slow you down and then gently apply the brakes.
5. Stick to main roads
Keep to the main A-roads and motorways when possible, as these are more likely to have been treated with salt and cleared by a steady flow of traffic. There’s also a greater chance of help arriving should you break down or get stuck in a snow drift.
Avoid unlit rural roads, as there’s a risk that you or your stranded car could be hit by another vehicle. It’s also worth remembering when you last passed a house or shop, in case you need to find help.
6. Visibility
Use dipped headlights in the snow or foggy conditions, but remember to turn them off when conditions improve.
7. Potholes
Potholes are more likely to appear after freezing temperatures or a flood. It will be difficult to spot them at night, in snow or when the roads are covered in water, so drive with extra care.
Not only can a pothole cause damage to a car’s wheels, suspension or steering, you may also lose control of the vehicle. Our advice guide explains how to claim compensation for pothole damage.
8. Fog
In foggy conditions, reduce your speed but don’t slam on the brakes. Keep your distance to the car in front and don’t rely on them to guide you through a dense fog patch. Use dipped headlights and fog lights, but remember to switch them off when conditions improve.
It’s also important to remember that LED daytime running lights are unsuitable for driving in fog or at night. If you have automatic lights, make sure they are switched on.
9. Flood water
Avoid driving directly through the deepest water, which is normally near the kerb. Stick to the centre of the road, but look out for debris and potholes beneath the surface. If in doubt, don’t drive through flood water – seek an alternative route.
If you do drive through, take your time, avoid sudden acceleration and test your brakes when you’ve made it through the water.
10. Be prepared for a breakdown
If extreme weather is forecast, it’s worth packing for every eventuality. Should the worst happen, it’ll take longer for the breakdown service or emergency vehicle to reach you, so you could be left in the car or stranded by the roadside for a prolonged period of time. Before you set off in the snow, pack warm clothing, blankets and basic nourishment.
While a winter driving safety pack might seem extreme, you’ll be glad of it should you run into trouble. We’d recommend carrying the following items: high visibility jacket, torch, warning triangle, spare tyre, first aid kit, de-icer, screen wash, jump leads and sunglasses (for the low winter sun). Being prepared will help keep you safe.
There is no escaping the fact that cars and SUVs are getting heavier – and electric vehicles often tip the scales still further.
If you need to transport heavyweight new cars, or tow with them, the combined weight limit for towing in the UK remains at 3,500kg. This includes the tow vehicle, trailer and the car being transported.
However, Northamptonshire-based Brian James Trailers has been working on the problem. The company’s new flagship Race Transporter 7 (RT7) trailer weighs some 200kg less than its previous range-topping model.
A premium towing experience
Reducing weight by such a considerable amount is impressive, and should allow the RT7 to carry the heaviest SUVs or electric cars.
Helping the trailer stay light is new composite flooring, along with composite bodywork crafted by the same team responsible for the Ultima RS sports car. There is also plenty of LED lighting, including rear loading lights that illuminate automatically when the back doors are opened.
In what is said to be an industry first, a wireless electric actuator can be used to tilt the trailer and open its rear doors remotely. There is also a new wirelessly operated electric winch, which uses synthetic rope instead of steel wire.
Supercars, classics and more
Brian James Trailers will offer the RT7 in a number of different configurations, with buyers able to choose between twin- and tri-axle setups. Extra height versions can also be specified, plus there is a choice between black or white body finishes.
Lewis James, CEO of Brian James Trailers, said: “With exceptional specification and a lighter, stronger, smarter design, the RT7 takes enclosed car transport to a new level. Whether for supercar exotics, motorsport, classics or vehicle logistics, the RT7 is the ultimate choice”.
Prices for the RT7 start at £25,550 plus VAT, and come close to £40,000 for the largest version with all options added. Pre-orders for the new lightweight trailer are being taken now.
Keyless car crime has been in the news again recently, as the Range Rover earned the dubious accolade of being Britain’s most stolen car. In response, JLR has announced a £10 million investment to improve security and a unique car insurance package for owners of new and used Range Rovers.
However, keyless car crime affects more than just luxury SUVs. Following years of decline in the number of vehicle thefts, the so-called ‘relay attack’ is now the most common way of stealing cars.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “Technology sold as a convenience for drivers is becoming the best tool for car thieves. Relay theft is now the preferred way to steal a car, as it is quick and quiet. The days of ‘smash and grab’ are over and have been replaced with ‘bounce and roll’ as thieves now bounce the signal off the keys in the house onto the car and roll away with the goods.”
So, what is keyless car theft and how can you avoid falling victim to this tech-savvy, 21st century crime?
What is keyless car theft?
A relay attack is very simple, making it all the more worrying for owners of cars with a keyless entry system. Once a car has been targeted, two criminals work together using electronic signal relay devices to steal it, often from outside the owner’s home.
One person stands by the targeted car, while the other one stands close enough to the house to enable a device to pick up a signal from the key fob.
This signal is transferred to a second box, which is placed alongside the car or in the hands of the other person, effectively fooling the vehicle into ‘thinking’ the key is present.
With the doors unlocked, the criminals can start the car at the press of a button, leaving them free to drive away. The electronic hardware to steal a car is available online for less than £100 – an incredibly tempting proposition for wannabe thieves.
How to prevent keyless car theft
Instances of keyless car theft typically occur in residential areas, especially at night, so motorists are advised to be on their guard when at home. However, while car theft is on the rise, there are steps you can take to protect your vehicle.
Although the relay device signal can pass through doors, walls and windows, it cannot penetrate metal, so storing your keys inside a metal container, a signal-blocking wallet or even a microwave will safeguard your vehicle against an attack.
You can purchase a signal blocker pouch (also known as a Faraday bag) for around £10 online. Do test it to ensure it is successful in blocking the signal, though. While it’s a good idea to store your keys away from the window or front door, think carefully before taking the keys upstairs or hiding them in a bedroom. If a thief is determined to break into the house to find the keys, it’s better to let them take the vehicle than put yourself or your family at risk.
Other steps you could take to avoid being a victim of keyless car theft include:
Check to see if your vehicle’s key fob can be switched off, or deactivates automatically after a short period when not in use.
Make sure the vehicle is locked after you park it. An opportunist thief might use a ‘jammer’ to intercept the signal between the key fob and the car, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to attack. Be on your guard.
Invest in a steering wheel lock. These provide a visual form of protection, as well as adding extra minutes to the seconds it might take to steal a car using a relay attack. Locks cost from around £20.
Add a tracking device. While it won’t stop a car being stolen, it will increase the chances of the police locating it and returning it to its owner.
Ask your car dealer if there have been any software updates to help secure it against keyless car theft.
‘Always check your car is locked’
Jenny Sims, Assistant Chief Constable at Merseyside Police, said: “While the rapid development of technology has dramatically improved the experience of drivers, it has also allowed criminals to exploit weaknesses in electronic security.
“We are working closely with car manufacturers to help them design out crime by sharing intelligence and equipment seized from criminals. We are already making substantial progress in this regard.
“I would urge drivers to take simple steps to keep their vehicle safe, like storing your keys in metal tins or protective pouches that block the devices criminals are using. A return to basics like making sure your car is locked is worthwhile, too. We know from research that some owners think that cars automatically lock – they don’t. Always double check before you walk away.”
Everrati has pulled the wraps off its latest electric restomod 911, which recreates one of the rarest and most valuable Porsches of all.
Like Singer Vehicle Design, Theon Design and others, Everrati uses a classic 964 model as its starting point. Its new project pays homage to the legendary 3.8 RS, an ultra-rare special edition from 1993.
In keeping with the RS it seeks to emulate, Everrati says the new model will feature lightweight upgrades and a greater focus on driving enjoyment.
Wing and a prayer
The original Porsche 911 3.8 RS was designed for use in motorsport. Just 104 cars were produced, with 49 in racing RSR spec and 55 for the road. Power came from an enlarged flat-six producing 300hp – 40hp more than the standard 3.6-litre 964 RS.
Everrati’s homage is based on a restored, narrow-bodied 964 Carrera, before adding an RS-inspired carbon fibre bodykit and 18-inch HRE alloy wheels. There are Carrera RS badges, too, although you’ll note the obvious absence of twin exhaust tailpipes.
On the inside, the rear seats have been removed. There are lightweight buckets trimmed in Bridge of Weir leather for the driver and passenger. A rear roll cage is installed, too.
Electric performance
Powering the Everrati is a 63kWh battery pack, which drives the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. The Oxfordshire-based company claims a 0-60mph time of only 3.7 seconds. An original 964 3.8 RS requires 4.9 seconds to reach the same speed.
Tractive adaptive suspension is fitted, and the Everrati offers AC and DC fast charging capability. With a full battery, the car’s range is said to exceed 200 miles.
As with its other 964-based conversions, the new RS homage will be produced by Everrati’s production partners, Aria Group, in Irvine, California. The company has seen plenty of demand for Porsche restomods, with lead times now stretching up to 12 months.
Everrati Founder and CEO Justin Lunny said: “This exciting new addition to our range of redefined and electrified 911s is without doubt the most driver-focused yet.
“Paying homage to a legendary model from three decades ago, our new ‘RSR’ gets pulses racing with a host of lightweight enhancements, resulting in an unrivalled experience that combines the best of classic design with modern, zero-emission performance.”
