Six cars will compete for the prize of AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe 2022.
The Dacia Spring, Hyundai Bayon, Renault Arkana, Skoda Fabia, Toyota Yaris Cross and Vauxhall Mokka-e will undergo final tests by 32 European jurors in the coming weeks – including your UK writer.
Two of the six – the Dacia Spring and Vauxhall Mokka-e – are pure electric cars, while the Renault Arkana and Toyota Yaris Cross are only available as hybrids.
“We will continue in our endeavour to offer to millions of car consumers the best assessment about the Best Buy Car in Europe,” said AUTOBEST founder and chairman Dan Vardie. “But also about the best people, companies and technologies we have in the industry today.”
Europe’s largest
The jury members hail from 32 different countries. This makes AUTOBEST the largest independent motoring jury in the world, according to the number of nations represented.
The awards follow a ‘one country, one juror’ policy.
Alongside the AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe award, eight other prizes are voted on: Manbest, Companybest, Ecobest, Designbest, Technobest, Safetybest, Smartbest and Sportbest.
Recently, car design legend Frank Stephenson has agreed to lead a new initiative, the AUTOBEST Think Tank.
“Through this, we will more deeply explore the future of mobility, giving to all the people better visibility and understanding of what is going to happen in the coming years,” said Mr Vardie.
The Volvo now moves onto the semi-final round of the competition, with the chance to be immortalised as a scale miniature.
Devilish performance
The highly-modified Volvo P1800 Gasser is owned by Somerset-based Lee Johnstone. Under the JD Racing name, it is raced by Lee and his three daughters: Ellie, Tori and Sarah. Lee’s wife, Sue, is also a supportive member of the team.
Called ‘Ain’t No Saint’, its nickname is a nod to the P1800 driven by Roger Moore in The Saint TV series. Moore’s Simon Templar character, however, made do with rather less than the 600hp supercharged 454 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 that powers the Volvo dragster.
Johnstone purchased the Volvo as a bare shell, then worked to turn it into the Gasser. It is now capable of running a quarter-mile in 10.01 seconds, hitting a top speed of 133mph.
On learning of the Volvo’s win, Johnstone said: “As a team, we were ecstatic to hear our car was chosen. We never thought it would be named against some of the other entries”.
He added: “Everyone always says it looks just like a Hot Wheels and maybe it will now become one!”
Super-scale Swede
The Volvo was picked unanimously by the UK judging panel. It was said to meet all the Hot Wheels criteria of ‘performance, authenticity and garage spirit’.
“This is a beautiful example of a gasser – a drag racer with street car form,” said judge Ian Callum. “Often with dragsters, the chassis is so important that the body gets overlooked, but this example is fabulous, with great attention to detail. It’s a super quality, beautifully built car. And it completely hits the Hot Wheels brief.”
‘Ain’t No Saint’ will now move onto the semi-final round of the Legends Tour, set to take place on 4 November. It could then reach the Global Final on 13 November.
Should it win, the car will be recreated as a 1:64-scale die-cast car, and sold around the world.
New research by Skoda has uncovered the scale of damage to alloy wheels across the UK.
A study of 2,000 drivers found more than one-third of motorists could be driving cars with mangled wheels.
Skoda highlights that, along with affecting the looks of the car, damaged wheels can be linked to tracking issues and steering vibrations.
An imperfect circle
Of those surveyed, more than half (56 percent) admitted that their alloy wheel damage had come from a kerb impact. This made it the single largest factor in causing wheel-related issues.
Trends for wider cars, bigger wheels, lower-profile tyres and diamond-cut finishes have only exacerbated the problem.
Based on Skoda’s calculations, there could be more than 13.1 million kerbed alloy wheels in the UK. With an average repair price of £67.50, fixing them all would cost £890 million.
British drivers were at least ready to admit blame. Some 83 percent of those asked said the wheel damage was caused by someone in their household.
Technology to the rescue
Despite parking being a leading cause of wheel damage, a third of those asked claimed to be ‘very confident’ when parking. However, some 45 percent said they prefer to avoid the kerbing risk by opting for bay parking where possible.
Only 18 percent of drivers asked said parallel parking was their preferred choice.
Skoda’s survey coincides with the launch of the new fourth-generation Fabia supermini. Officially on sale from this week, the Fabia can be specified with Park Assist 3.0.
The system can steer the Fabia into a space, automatically braking to avoid hazards, and keeping a safe distance from those nefarious kerbs.
Eco-friendly routing is coming to Google Maps, allowing motorists to prioritise fuel-efficient routes over the most direct or fastest ones.
The eco-friendly route option will automatically be displayed as an alternative to the fastest one, if the default route isn’t also the greenest.
Both fuel savings and the difference in estimated time of arrival (ETA) will be shown, so motorists can make a decision which route to use.
Google’s new fuel-saving mapping tech has been developed using AI and insights from the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Jeff Gonder from the centre for integrated mobility sciences at NREL, said: “Not only does Google Maps’ eco-friendly routing bring NREL’s fuel-efficient technology from the lab to the road, but it has huge potential to significantly lower emissions and save drivers money on gas — something that’s good for both people and the planet.”
The company has calculated it has the potential to cut CO2 emissions by more than one million tonnes per year – the equivalent of taking 200,000 cars off the road.
It is launching now in the US on Android and iOS. Europe and the UK will follow in 2022.
And for those who want to ignore the new eco-friendly routing and always see the fastest route, Google will include an override in the map’s settings.
The seven-seat Land Rover Discovery range has gained a new, fully-loaded special edition.
Badged as the Metropolitan Edition, Land Rover promises a ‘suite of technologies to enhance the comfort and convenience’ of the Discovery SUV.
It’s the new range-topper in the Discovery line-up, and boasts generous equipment inside and out.
Ready for the metropolis
Land Rover has based the Discovery Metropolitan Edition on the existing R-Dynamic HSE trim level.
A Bright Atlas finish is used for the front grille and ‘Discovery’ badge lettering, with Hakuba Silver detailing on the lower bumper. Metropolitan Editions also gain a set of 22-inch Diamond Turned alloy wheels, featuring Gloss Grey inserts.
Black Land Rover-branded brake calipers, privacy glass and a sliding panoramic sunroof are included, too.
VIP Disco experience
On the inside, all Metropolitan Editions have interior trim finished in titanium mesh. Standard equipment includes a head-up display, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging and four-zone climate control.
Buyers can choose from petrol or diesel engines. Both the D300 Ingenium diesel and P360 Ingenium petrol come with 48-volt mild hybrid technology.
The Metropolitan Edition’s £73,250 price tag cements its place at the top of the Discovery range. Orders for the most-expensive Discovery can be placed now.
The Commercial, capable of carrying 2,024 litres of cargo, can now be ordered in R-Dynamic specification. This includes gloss black detailing for the front grille, smoked rear lights and standard 20-inch alloy wheels.
Internally, R-Dynamic trim means seats finished in Ebony with contrasting trim, a black headlining and bright metal paddles for the auto transmission.
The mid-life refresh is aimed at keeping the family favourite on trend, with electrified drivetrains and bold infotainment upgrades inside.
Different trim levels will gain more distinctive styling, making use of Ford’s “human-centric” design philosophy.
An updated Focus ST model benefits from bespoke changes, including a new Mean Green paint option.
Design details with a human focus
Changes to the outside of the new Focus are relatively restrained. A new bonnet increases the overall height of the nose, and sees the Blue Oval Ford badge added to the grille itself.
LED headlights are now standard across all models, with fog lights integrated into their design. Darkened tail lights are intended to add a premium look, with updated LED units for high-spec models.
Connected series and Titanium models use a wide front grille with a chrome surround, with the sporty ST-Line getting a bespoke honeycomb item. Side skirts, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler are all included on the ST-Line, too.
Ford will now offer the premium Vignale package for Titanium, ST-Line and Active models. Along with a luxurious interior, these cars will benefit from satin grilles and unique alloy wheels.
Vignale is no longer a standalone model.
Mild hybrid technology expands
Focus buyers will now be able to combine Ford’s seven-speed Powershift automatic transmission with its range of EcoBoost Hybrid petrol engines. A six-speed manual can be chosen for those who still want to shift their own gears.
Matching a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, the EcoBoost Hybrid engines can achieve up to 51.4mpg. An integrated starter/generator can recharge a lithium-ion battery from braking, and deploy power to help in-gear acceleration.
A non-hybrid EcoBoost petrol engine, producing 125hp, remains available.
Diesel drivers have not been forgotten entirely. The 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel remains, offered with 120hp. It can be combined with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and returns up to 56.5mpg.
Multiple drive modes, including a Slippery option for the Active model, are all included.
Bigger screens, fewer buttons
Making a major change inside the new Focus is Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system. Originally seen in the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, SYNC 4 uses machine learning to note individual driver preferences.
Key to SYNC 4 is a class-leading 13.2-inch central touchscreen. It uses graphics that look far more modern compared to the existing SYNC 3 display, and works wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Controversially, Ford has followed the route of other manufacturers by ditching physical buttons where possible.
Heating and ventilation settings for the new Focus will now be operated through the central touchscreen.
Connected services and more safety
Online services will be a central part of SYNC 4, with FordPass app users able to access an array of digital services. Ford Power-Up wireless software updates will allow changes and upgrades to be made to the Focus remotely.
The FordPass app will allow drivers to check fuel levels, start their Focus remotely, and get security notifications. Connected Navigation, using live data from TomTom, can predict traffic information and warn of severe weather events.
Blind Spot Assist becomes available on the Focus for the first time. Unlike a simple warning, it can take action to guide the car away from potential danger.
A Rear Occupant Alert should stop drivers from unintentionally leaving pets and children in their Focus. If the rear doors are used at the start of a journey, a reminder will be given to check them at the end.
Practical upgrades for the Focus wagon
Extensive customer feedback has resulted in helpful changes to the boot of the new Focus estate model. Research found that 98 percent of estate owners were not aware of the features found in the rear of the previous version.
It means Ford has added a simple quick guide to all the new functions found in the boot.
The adjustable load floor is now centrally hinged, letting it divide the boot in two. A water-resistant wet zone is now included, with a removable liner aimed at storing wetsuits or wellies.
Meaner and greener: New Focus ST
A new Focus ST performance hatchback and estate are also part of the revised lineup.
Bespoke exterior details include a honeycomb front grille, extra aerodynamic features, and a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. An attention-grabbing Mean Green paint option delivers an extra dose of aggression.
A 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivers 280hp, and comes with an electronic limited-slip differential. A six-speed manual gearbox, including rev-matching technology, is standard. Buyers can opt for a seven-speed paddle shift automatic, too.
New front seats, developed by Ford’s own Performance engineers, are said to provide support and even promote spinal health.
The Porsche development centre at Weissach has celebrated its 50th anniversary. Home to 6,500 designers, engineers and test drivers, the world famous ‘think tank’ is where every Porsche journeys from initial design sketch to road-going or racing reality.
The Weissach story actually starts in 1960, when Ferry Porsche, son of company founder Ferdinand, agreed a deal with the local Black Forest mayor to build a test track on open fields.
This 200-metre circular skid pad is where the first Porsche 911s were put through their paces – and was quickly followed by rough-road tracks for testing suspension, then a high-speed Can-Am circuit in 1971.
Introduction to forced induction
That same year, the Entwicklungszentrum Weissach officially opened its doors. One of its earliest projects was the original 911 (930) Turbo, which adopted turbocharging technology from motorsport to boost Porsche’s flat-six to 260hp.
A rival for the Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari 512 BB, it was arguably Germany’s first supercar.
At the same time, Porsche engineers were inventing a new type of axle – named after its birthplace. The Weissach axle debuted on the 928 in 1977, and used rubber bushes to make the rear wheels point inwards when cornering. This made the V8-engined coupe impressively stable and easy to drive – quite the opposite of a 930 Turbo, in fact.
Moulded by motorsport
Weissach expanded in the 1980s, leading development for the space-age Porsche 959 and gaining a wind tunnel and crash-test facility.
Since then, additions have included a temperature chamber that simulates from -40 to +90 deg C, an acoustic tunnel with 600 microphones, and a pit-stop practice area for motorsport teams.
In recent times, the development centre has become its own sub-brand. Weissach Package editions of the Porsche 918 Spyder and previous 911 GT3 RS offered less weight and aggressive aero for ultimate track performance.
Expect to see the Weissach name writ large again when the new 911 GT3 RS debuts in 2022.
A Toyota Mirai has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance covered by a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.
On a single tank of hydrogen, the Mirai managed an impressive 845 miles during a two-day Californian road trip.
Battling traffic, and the height of the summertime heat, makes the Mirai’s achievement even more impressive.
California cruising
Toyota did benefit from a pair of drivers with experience of Guinness World Records and ‘hypermiling’ (driving as efficiently as possible).
Wayne Gerdes has previously set records for the lowest fuel consumption driving to the 48 contiguous US states. He also achieved the lowest fuel use driving across America from coast to coast.
Gerdes was supported by his co-driver, Bob Winger, with the duo setting out on 23 August 2021.
Leaving Toyota’s technical centre in Gardena, California, Gerdes and Winger headed through Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Malibu. Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway, they managed 473 miles on the first day.
Highway hypermiler
The second included loops of the highway system, hitting the fearsome rush-hour traffic around San Diego. With another 372 miles achieved, the Mirai returned to the Toyota Technical Center empty of hydrogen.
A total of 5.65kg of fuel was consumed during the journey, with the only emissions being water vapour. In comparison, an average internal combustion engine would have emitted 301kg of CO2.
Witnessing the journey was Guinness World Record adjudicator, Michael Empiric. After the run he commented: “I’ve had the opportunity to witness incredible attempts, including several distance-related feats.
“The Toyota Mirai’s journey without the need to refuel showcases the power of fuel-cell electric technology. This technology and the design ingenuity by the team at Toyota led to a history-making moment.”
A Hot Wheels recreation of a classic Cadillac will help mark fashion house Gucci’s 100th anniversary.
The Gucci x Hot Wheels collaboration will see 500 diecast replicas of the 1982 Cadillac Seville Gucci Edition made.
Each $120 (£88) model car features the same fashion-led details as the haute couture original. These even extend to a tiny gold Gucci grille badge.
Gold-tinted memories
Cadillac released a ‘designed by Gucci’ edition version of the first-generation Seville in 1979. The designer treatment continued for the second-generation car, sold between 1980 and 1985.
It is this second Seville iteration, complete with divisive bustle-back rear styling, that Hot Wheels has chosen to immortalise.
Like the full-size original, the Hot Wheels Gucci model will feature a half-vinyl roof complete with the interlocking ‘G’ logo. A gold Gucci crest resides on the C-pillar, plus you’ll find whitewall tyres and pinstripes along the sides.
The 1:64 scale interior has gold piping on the miniature seats.
‘It’s all Gucci, baby!‘
Mattel Creations has worked with Gucci to design and build the retro Cadillac. It marks the first time Gucci has made a collectible model, and is intended to demonstrate the concept of ‘toys as art’.
The limited-edition model will be offered directly through the Mattel Creations and Gucci websites. Selected Gucci stores across the world, including New York, London, Paris and Milan will also stock the high-end Hot Wheels.
Sales of the Cadillac start on 18 October 2021. It is likely to be keenly sought by Hot Wheels collectors.
The modified Suburban was created by the J-Rod & Custom shop, based in Auburn, WA. Founded by Jared Hancock, the shop has produced multiple award-winning custom cars, and even restored a Lamborghini Espada.
However, the 1967 Chevrolet Suburban sits even lower to the floor than a Lamborghini… and certainly has more interior space.
An exterior painted in Lapis Poly blue, with a contrasting Bianco Italia white roof, helps pull in the crowds.
The work beneath the body is even more impressive, though.
Powering the big SUV is a General Motors supercharged LT4 V-8 engine, featuring performance parts from Lingenfelter. Finished in Hugger Orange, the powerful motor stands out in the clean engine bay.
A GM eight-speed 8L90 automatic transmission sends power to the back wheels. Pirelli P Zero Nero tires are wrapped around Schott Drift wheels, with 22-inch items at the front and 24-inch rims out back.
The exterior color theme continues inside, with blue trim and patterned upholstery used throughout. A Pioneer multimedia display has been integrated into the dashboard, along with Vintage Air cooling.
Earlier this year, the Suburban had made its debut at the Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals. It later appeared at the West Coast Nationals event in Pleasanton, CA, where it was recognized as one of the top five contenders for the America’s Most Beautiful prize.
The big Chevrolet’s run of form at Goodguys events continued to the recent Del Mar Nationals.
Being one of the ten Builder’s Choice Awards, picked by Charley Hutton, was an achievement in itself. But now, the Chevrolet GM Iron – Builder of the Year Finalist award opens the door to even bigger opportunities.
As a ‘Builder of the Year’ finalist, the Suburban will appear again at the Goodguys Southwest Nationals. Should it claim the top prize, it will earn J-Rod & Custom a new Chevrolet crate motor.
The Goodguys Southwest Nationals will take place from November 19 to 21, at the WestWorld facility in Scottsdale, AZ.
Acting as the grand finale for the Goodguys show season, the Southwest Nationals will see winners in multiple categories crowned, along with the top autocross driver honored.
Should the Suburban win, it will at least have room in the trunk for more trophies.
