For the 18^th year running, Skoda is the official car partner for the 2021 Tour de France, which begins this weekend and runs for 21 stages until 18 July.

Skoda is supplying a total of 250 vehicles in support of the Tour – including a pure electric Enyaq iV which will serve as the ‘Red Car’ command vehicle for Tour director Christian Prudhomme on the majority of stages.

Other Skodas in the fleet include the Octavia, Octavia iV and Superb iV.

Skoda is also sponsoring the Tour de France Green Jersey award for the leader in the points classification.

“Our company’s long history is inextricably linked with cycling,” said Skoda board member Martin Jahn.

“Skoda is committed to being a strong long-term partner of international elite and amateur cycling; supporting the Tour de France has been one of the cornerstones of our activities.

“I am particularly pleased that the Enyaq iV, our first all-electric SUV, will be used as the lead vehicle in the Tour de France.”

In total, the 2021 Tour de France will cover over 2,000 miles, and Skoda cars will be used by race officials as well as organisers and VIPs.

For stages where the Enyaq iV will not run as the Red Car, a Skoda Superb iV plug-in hybrid will take its place.

From either vehicle, the race director will wave the yellow flag as the start of each stage, before directing the race from the vehicle itself with a welter of onboard communication tech: hence all the aerials on each Red Car….

Skoda is also partner of the official Tour de France app, allowing cycling fans to keep up to date in real time: the free app has a live tracker, real-time GPS tracking and plenty more.

It works on both iOS and Android devices.

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Most motorists over 70 are now choosing to go online and complete their three-year driving licence renewals, new DVLA figures show.

Almost two in three drivers aged over 70 now renew online – with a 41 percent jump in the over-90s renewing online in just five years.

Last year was the first time more than half of people aged 70 or over renewed online.

“Decided to apply online,” said one motorist in feedback provided to the DVLA.

“Not being great on the computer, I found the process easy to follow and execute.”

Another reported “no complications in completing the application, and the new licence arrived within a few days”.

The DVLA says driving licences are usually issued within five days when renewing online: postal applications can take up to six weeks.

Motorists are legally required to renew their driving licence at 70 and then, at most, every three years after this.

Renewals are free.

‘Quick and easy’

“The sharp increase in online renewals since 2016 is testament to how quick and easy this process is,” said roads minister Baroness Vere.

DVLA chief executive Julie Lennard said the online service “will always be the quickest and simplest way to renew a driving licence – whatever your age.

“With more and more licence holders aged 70 and over choosing to renew online, these figures demonstrate just how convenient our online service is.”

Figures show that, last year, almost 820,000 drivers aged 70-79 chose to renew online, as did over 10,000 drivers aged 90-99.

There were also 71 motorists aged 100-plus renewing online – up from 25 in 2016.

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An improved Dacia Duster will open for ordering later this summer with subtle exterior styling tweaks concealing big improvements to onboard infotainment systems and CO2 emissions.

Today’s top-spec infotainment system is a fairly dated-looking 7.0-inch setup. Facelifted 2021 models can have a screen up to 8.0-inches, housed within a more premium-look chrome-edged display.

Two grades are offered: Media Display has Bluetooth connectivity and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The higher-spec Media Nav has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus onboard navigation. Both versions have an eco driving screen – and four-wheel drive versions have a 4×4 Monitor which includes altimeter, inclinometer and compass.

Entry-level Duster feature a clever Dacia Plug & Music system that includes radio, USB and Bluetooth, for fuss-free pairing with smartphones.

New seat upholstery, more slimline head restraints and a ‘high’ centre console with sliding centre armrest are among other improvements within the facelifted Duster.

Lower CO2

Dacia is promising better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions from the broad engine range, which includes 90hp, 130hp and 150hp turbo petrol engines, a 115hp diesel and a 100hp Bi-Fuel petrol-LPG version.

Dacia has significantly enlarged the LPG range by over 16 litres compared to the previous model, which it says gives more than 155 miles’ greater range.

An LPG Duster, with both petrol and LPG tanks full, offers a total range of nearly 770 miles between refills.

An EDC dual-clutch automatic Duster is also available, and higher-grade versions offer high-traction all-wheel drive – these cars also have grippier tyres and hill descent control.

Safety aids

Dacia is highlighting the improved safety features of the facelifted Duster, after its new Sandero supermini scored just two stars earlier this year in Euro NCAP testing.

The new Duster comes with cruise control, a speed limiter and auto high-beam as standard, while there are a range of optional safety aids too.

These include blind spot warning, park assist, hill start assist and a four-camera ‘Multiview’ parking system.

Dacia says this doesn’t just help when parking, either: it can also be used off-road. The camera feed is displayed through the infotainment screen, and automatically switches off when vehicle speed exceeds 12mph.

Facelift features

Externally, new headlights have a revised ‘Y-shaped’ LED daytime running light, complete with LED front indicators (a Dacia first). Dipped headlights and number plate lights are also now LED.

There’s a 3D-look chrome radiator grille and the Desert Orange paint featured here is also new.

Dacia’s even aero-tuned the new 16-inc and 17-inch alloy wheels which, along with other improvements, help reduce CO2 by up to 5.8g compared to the pre-facelift models.

Luke Broad, Dacia UK head of sales, said: “The new Duster is a sporty, all-terrain vehicle which continues to make the SUV accessible for consumers. It now comes with even more advanced technology, features, style, enhanced driving pleasure and efficiency.

“Duster’s winning formula has made sure it has led its class in Europe’s SUV market since 2019, and with the new Duster and its unmatched combination of exceptional reliability, comfort and price, we only expect this to accelerate.”

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Irish Ferries launches Dover to Calais route for £69 per car

Irish Ferries has launched a new Dover to Calais ferry route with fares starting from £69 per car – including up to nine passengers.

The new service launches on 29 June, and Irish Ferries is hoping to capitalise on interest from Brits eager to travel into Europe when Covid restrictions lift.

The recently-refurbished Isle of Inishmore ferry has been assigned to the route: it includes an upgraded Club Class lounge which offers seating with 360-degree views.

There’s also O’Flaherty’s bar, Boylan’s Brasserie and Café Lafayette.

Travellers can use free wifi, plenty of space is available outdoors, and there are dedicated and safe play areas for children.

Duty-free shopping is available – and Irish Ferries allows travellers to pre-order in advance with a ‘click and collect’ service.

The company says travelling by ferry gives holidaymakers much more flexibility: they can load up cars with unlimited luggage – and take pets along too.

Social distancing onboard is easy and, of course, there’s plenty of opportunity to grab 100 percent fresh air – simply by stepping outdoors.

The ferry crossing from Dover to Calais takes 90 minutes (compared to 35 minutes for the Channel Tunnel).

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Catalytic converter thefts rocket 104% in a year

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Thefts of catalytic converters have soared by more than 100 percent in the past year, according to new data.

Figures obtained from 25 police forces via Freedom of Information requests by consumer group Which? showed a 104 percent rise in devices being stolen between 2019 and 2020.

Which? said organised gangs are ‘targeting tens of cars each day’ as the scrap value of a single ‘cat’ is £400 at present.

Sales via social media make it difficult for the police to trace criminals, too. Despite being an offence under the 2013 Scrap Metal Dealers Act, the publication found advertisements on Facebook offering cash for catalytic converters.

Scrap metal dealers and collectors must now also be licensed, although frequently there are no obvious credentials displayed by Facebook users, Which? added.

A nationwide problem

The West Midlands has some of the largest numbers of catalytic converter thefts, often focused on hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars, but the problem has spread across the country. The county of Dorset, for example, saw a 187 percent increase in 2020.

“Catalytic converter thefts can leave victims with pricey repair bills, rising premiums or even complete write-offs, so it’s concerning to see such a huge spike in these crimes across the country,” said Harry Rose, editor of Which?

“To minimise the chance of your car being targeted you should consider installing traceable marking tools and a Catloc on your converter, or park in an area covered by CCTV. These steps could help to identify or deter thieves.”

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The final spec of a special edition Ford Puma ST has been revealed following a unique crowdsourcing experiment.

Nearly 275,000 enthusiasts took part in a series of social media polls to determine the look of the new Puma ST – with the winning car confirmed as the Ford Puma ST Gold Edition.

Ford asked enthusiasts to choose numerous aspects of the car, including exterior colour, brake caliper finish, exterior decals and even the colour of the stitching on the seatbelts.

In the battle of paint colour, grey lost out to black, which won by a 56 percent margin; black brakes were, however, rejected, with three in four enthusiasts preferring red.

Even the name went to the polls, with 59 percent of people voting for Puma ST Gold Edition over Puma ST 24K Edition.

“To create something truly special for our loyal performance fans, we’ve moved to a forward-looking approach in co-creating the Puma ST Gold Edition with them,” said Amko Leenarts, Ford’s design director.

“The number of votes cast shows just how enthusiastic our customers are – and that they have excellent taste.

“It’s all in the details, and with this special edition, our fans have configured a truly desirable product.”

Voting took place over 10 days on Ford’s Twitter and Instagram channels.

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