Highways England to make motoring easier for disabled drivers

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September 23, 2020

Highways England plans to make it easier for disabled motorists to use UK motorways and A-roads.

More than 100 service areas will be assessed on the accessibility of parking, toilets, petrol stations, shops and restaurants.

Watford Gap motorway service area has already been assessed and the plan is to launch 113 Virtual Access Guides on England’s motorway service areas in early 2021.

The guides will include 360-degree imagery so disabled motorists can see in advance the route to facilities such as accessible toilets.

The initiative is part of a collaboration between Highways England and the AccessAble app, which gives disabled motorists information on thousands of venues across the UK and Ireland.

AccessAble director David Livermore called it a “groundbreaking initiative”.

He explained: “This project will not only give people all the information they need to plan a trip but also support Highways England and Motorway Service Operations to see how facilities could be improved in the future.”

The access guides will be available free of charge both via the AccessAble app and on the Access Able website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0pYpRnQQj4&feature=youtu.be

Highways England is also updating its costumer contact centre to allow anyone who is a British Sign Language user to use SignLive to communicate with the organisation.

The free service connects deaf users with a professional BSL interpreter; they will contact Highways England on their behalf and then translate the conversion.

Around 150,000 people in the UK use British Sign Language as their main means of communication.

Both initiatives have come from Highways England’s Roads for All Forum, which was established in 2018.

This brings together people from a wide range of organisations that help represent disabled motorists, including Motability, Disability Rights UK, RAC, Disabled Motoring UK and Driving Mobility.

Nearly one in four people has a disability and disabled motorists represent five percent of the driving population.

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New 2020 MG5 EV news, prices, specs and on-sale date

By

Richard Aucock

-

September 22, 2020

0

The MG5 EV is a family-sized family fully electric estate car on sale from October 2020 with prices starting from £24,495 after the government Plug-in Car Grant.

A five-seat alternative to the MG ZS EV family SUV, the new MG5 EV is a car launched with company car drivers in mind.

In the 2020-21 tax year, drivers of 100% zero emissions electric company cars pay zero Benefit-in-Kind tax, saving hundreds of pounds per month.

MG is also offering a special PCP deal to private buyers of the MG5 EV, from £249 per month.

The new Ford Focus-sized electric estate has a 156hp electric motor and a 52.2kWh battery.

This delivers a 214-mile range, and it can be charged from flat to 80 percent in 50 minutes using a rapid charger.

MG says the car’s better aerodynamics give it a longer range than taller, less slippery electric SUVs.

The practical boot offers 464 litres of space with the load cover in place, and 578 litres with it retracted.

Fold the rear seats flat and space extends to 1,456 litres – this commodious volume is helped by the batteries being mounted underneath the seats, rather than beneath the boot floor.

2020 MG5 EV specs

MG will sell the MG5 EV in two trim grades, Excite and Exclusive.

All feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 3D sound system, four USB ports, all-round electric windows, air conditioning, electric parking brake and rain-sensing wipers.

Low-drag range-saving 16-inch alloy wheels are fitted to all MG5 EV.

Exclusive grade adds leather upholstery with heated front seats, electric folding door mirrors, keyless entry, auto-dim rear view mirror and sat nav.

Exclusive models can be identified by their silver roof rails.

Every new MG sold in the UK also features a seven-year, 80,000-mile warranty.

“The MG5 EV is an important addition to the MG range,” said head of sales and marketing Dan Gregorious, “positioning MG as a high-tech EV leader, the go-to brand for mainstream and affordable EVs.

“With a big boot, a big range and a small price tag, we really believe that MG5 EV is a real breakthrough in terms of value for money, practical EVs in the UK.”

MG is targeting more than half its sales to be either electric or plug-in hybrid in 2021: the MG5 EV will become its second-best selling ‘car with a plug’, after the ZS EV.

2020 MG5 EV prices

Excite: £24,495
Exclusive: £26,595

Both prices after government Plug-in Car Grant

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New 2021 Vauxhall Mokka news, prices, specs and release date

By

Richard Aucock

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September 22, 2020

0

The new Vauxhall Mokka is open for ordering with prices starting from £20,735 and first deliveries beginning in April 2021.

The second generation Vauxhall compact SUV, a rival to the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke, boasts a radical new look – and is also available in 100% zero emissions electric Mokka-e guise.

The Vauxhall Mokka-e is priced from £30,840, including the government Plug-in Car Grant.

Based on all-new underpinnings related to the 2020 AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe award-winning Vauxhall Corsa, the new Mokka weighs up to 120g less than the aged outgoing Mokka X.

The front end is made up of a single panel which Vauxhall calls the Vizor front end. This features LED headlights, an updated Griffin logo, and also hides the car’s various safety sensors and radars.

The regular engine range is based around a 1.2-litre turbo petrol, producing either 100hp or 130hp, plus a 110hp 1.5-litre turbodiesel.

The Mokka-e has a 50kWh battery, a 136hp electric motor, and a 201-mile range.

All new Vauxhall Mokka have a 350-litre boot and a stiffer body means handling will be improved.

Up front, the dashboard compromises up to two wide screens, measuring up to 10 inches and 12 inches: this is the called the Vauxhall Pure Play display layout.

2021 Vauxhall Mokka specs

All new Vauxhall Mokka feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base infotainment screen in the centre of the dash is a 7.0-inch colour display. 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and autonomous emergency braking are also standard.

The wheels on SRi models grow to 18-inches, and they also gain both a black roof and dark-tint rear glass. The Griffin logo on the Vizor is also finished in black.

Other extras include adaptive cruise control and heated front seats.

Elite Nav models have 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors and a 180-redgree verse camera, plus the Vauxhall Connect app.

Ultimate Nav features keyless entry and go, wireless smartphone charging, 18-inch alloys and LED Matrix headlights.

Vauxhall is offering a fully-stocked Launch Edition with Park & Go auto-parking assist, and a leather interior.

All models branded ‘Nav’ feature a 10-inch central touchscreen and 12-inch instrument cluster display to replace the regular analogue dials.

2021 Vauxhall Mokka prices

SE

1.2T: £20,735
1.5 Turbo D: £22,535

SRi

1.2T: £24,605
1.2T auto: £26,245
1.5 Turbo D: £25,205

SRi Nav Premium

1.2T: £25,810
1.2T auto: £27,450
1.5 Turbo D: £26,410

Elite Nav

1.2T: £24,405
1.2T auto: £26,045
1.5 Turbo D: £25,005

Elite Nav Premium

1.2T: £25,455
1.2T auto: £27,095
1.5 Turbo D: £26,005

Ultimate Nav

1.2T auto: £28,455
1.2 Turbo D: £27,415

Launch Edition

1.2T auto: £29,685
1.5 Turbo D: £28,645

2021 Vauxhall Mokka-e prices

SE Nav Premium: £30,840
SRi Nav Premium: £32,735
Elite Nav Premium: £32,380
Launch Edition: £34,970

All Mokka-e prices include £3,000 Plug-in Car Grant

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FCA car insurance proposals to stamp out ‘price walking’

By

Richard Aucock

-

September 22, 2020

0

Car insurance price walking criticised by FCA

The Financial Conduct Authority has been looking into the car insurance market – and concluded it is ‘not working well for consumers’.

The insurance watchdog has now outlined proposals to remedy this.

‘Significant reform’ is needed to enhance competition, ensure consumers receive fair value and increase trust in the marketplace.

A key proposal is for consumers renewing their car insurance to pay no more than they would if they were new to the provider.

The FCA says such a change would have saved six million policyholders £1.2 billion on car insurance during 2018 alone.

The practice of ‘price walking’ sees insurers gradually increase the renewal price to consumers over time. Such ‘complex and opaque’ processes have been criticised by the FCA.

‘While some people shop around for a deal, many others are losing out for being loyal.

‘Firms target price increases on consumers who are less likely to switch and use practices that make it harder for people to leave,” says the FCA.

The watchdog also wants to make it easier for consumers to cancel auto-renewals for insurance.

FCA interim chief executive Christopher Woolard said the organisation was now consulting on a “radical package that would ensure firms cannot charge renewing customers more than new customers in the future”.

It would “put an end to the very high prices paid by long-standing customers”.

The changes would also help improve competition within the car insurance industry – ultimately saving money for all motorists.

FCA number-crunchers estimate the proposed package of changes could save consumers, including car insurance customers, £3.7 billion over 10 years.

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Positive Covid tests sees Porsche pull drivers from 24-hour race

By

Richard Aucock

-

September 22, 2020

0

Porsche 911 racing at the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours

Porsche has withdrawn nine racing drivers who competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours from taking part in this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours race in Germany.

The manufacturer is still taking part but in a much-reduced capacity.

The reason is because three people who worked at the Le Mans 24 Hours in France have tested positive for Covid-19.

Both the works Porsche Motorsport team and customer teams are affected.

The popular Manthey-Racing #911 car, nicknamed ‘Grello’ by fans, has already been withdrawn entirely from the event.

Porsche had entered a total of six 911 GT3 R racers; the team is working with affected to teams to make sure the remaining cars can compete.

“People’s health comes first for us,” said Porsche Motorsport VP Fritz Enzinger.

“We put the needs of many ahead of our sporting goals.

“We’ll do everything we can to give our customer teams the best possible support in the upcoming race by providing operational personnel and available works drivers.”

Affected teams and drivers:

KCMG #18: Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet, Romain Dumas
KCMG #19: Romain Dumas
Fricadelli Racing #31: Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, Kevin Estre
Falken Motorsport #33: Thomas Preining
Falken Motorsport #44: Matteo Cairoli
Manthey-Racing #911: Julien Andlauer, Matt Campbell

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Rush hour returns – and the school run is to blame

By

Richard Aucock

-

September 21, 2020

0

Parents dropping off their children on the school run

The morning rush hour is back with traffic levels returning to a level last seen before the COVID pandemic, new research shows.

Data from motorists with black box car insurance shows a significant rise in the number of cars on the road, particularly between 8am and 9am.

Experts are blaming this on the beginning of the school year.

The volume of cars on the road in September has now returned to the same level as weekdays back in January.

Numbers were also up 55 percent on the same period in late August before schools returned.

RAC insurance data suggests staggered drop-off times at schools could even be extending the morning rush hour.

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Traffic has also returned to pre-lockdown levels in the afternoon, both for the school rush of 3pm to 4pm, and the evening rush between 5pm and 6pm.

“The fact that between a fifth and a third of the UK workforce is still working remotely shows just what role the school drop-off plays in creating the phenomenon we know as the morning rush hour,” said the RAC’s Rod Dennis.

“Dropping off children at schools and nurseries contributes far more to morning traffic in the 8am to 9am window that commuters heading to workplaces.

“What’s abundantly apparent is how dependent parents are on the car for getting children to their places of study or play during the week.”

The big question, added Mr Dennis, is whether morning road traffic now continues to rise in the autumn.

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Labour: ban diesel, petrol and hybrid cars by 2030

Labour: ban petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2030

By

Richard Aucock

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September 18, 2020

0

Labour is calling for the government to bring forward the ban on new petrol, diesel and hybrid car sales to 2030, five years ahead of the current target.

This would not only cut carbon emissions and reduce air pollution, but create jobs, argues the opposition party.

The call is one of a number of demands for the ban to be brought forward. The Committee on Climate Change said in June that the UK phase-out date must be bought forward to 2032 “at the latest”.

1 in 3 Conservative MPs last month also called for the phase-out date to be accelerated to 2030.

“2030 is an ambitious but achievable date,” said Labour shadow minister for climate change Matthew Pennycook.

It would “give a new lease of life to the UK car industry, whist combatting climate change breakdown and cleaning up the air”.

Mr Pennycook pointed to studies suggesting an acceleration of EVs could see battery manufacturing jobs in the UK grow from 170k to 220k by 2040.

He called on the government to “set pout a credible plan to get there… it’s time for ministers to seize this opportunity as part of a world-leading green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic… generating real momentum for next year’s COP26 climate summit”.

Mr Pennycook also referenced new electric vehicle subsidies in both Germany and France, while France has also introduced a means-tested green car scrappage scheme.

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Roadside litter ‘a national disgrace’

By

Richard Aucock

-

September 18, 2020

0

Roadside litter is a risk to wildlife, the environment and workers who have to pick it up, as well as being unsightly, says Highways England.

It has now joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy in a September campaign encouraging motorists to do their bit.

“Rubbish, dangerously thrown from vehicles and left to rot on our roads, is a national disgrace,” said Keep Britain Tidy’s Richard McIlwain.

“It damages wildlife that has taken refuge along these valuable corridors that are currently punctuated by chucked food and drink packaging, and millions of flicked cigarette butts.”

Roadside litter, he added, is “arguably one of Britain’s worst forms of littering”.

Highways England says 200,000 bags of litter are collected from the motorway network each year.

This, said the organisation’s Freda Rashdi, “puts our workers at risk collecting it and diverts time and money that could be better spent on improving the network”.

Highways England is now organising extra litter picks in September and is urging motorists to take their litter home.

“We want to use this campaign as a springboard to a longer-term partnership that will increase campaigning to raise awareness that stops people tossing litter from vehicles once and for all.”

The Great British September Clean runs until 27 September.

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You can now order a NEW ‘Mini’ Moke in the UK

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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September 17, 2020

0

You can now buy a brand-new ‘Mini’ Moke. Ordering has opened, with prices starting from around £24,000.

The company behind the car, Moke International, has now received official regulatory approval for the new Moke in the UK.

An initial, ‘strictly limited’ run of 56 cars will be built exclusively for the UK market. Each ‘Moke 56’ has a numbered plaque on the bonnet.

Customers are invited to register their interest now. If nothing else, you can while away a few minutes having a play with the online configurator.

The company says it’s receiving particular interest from ‘private buyers in English coastal hotspots”‘.

Thirteen colours are available for the chassis, bumpers, central bars and front grille. You can also add alloy wheels, fog lights and headlight guards.

The full hood and plastic doors might be advisable in the UK, but the Moke’s seats are waterproof.

Power is sourced from a 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 67hp at 6,000rpm. Performance figures aren’t quoted because, quite frankly, they’re irrelevant.

For ease of use, an automatic gearbox is standard.

There’s no five-star Euro NCAP rating to report on, but the Mini Moke does come with a safety roll bar and seatbelts. Airbags, ABS and traction control are conspicuous by their absence.

Military, thrives

The original Mini Moke was designed in the 1950s at the request of the British Army. Alec Issigonis, the father of the Mini, was asked to create something that was small, light and could be dropped by parachute.

It wasn’t a success. Shunned by the military for its lack of ground clearance, the Mini Moke was destined to become a footnote in the big book of automotive failures. Fortunately for Issigonis, the Moke captured the hearts and minds of the hip and trendy folk of Carnaby Street.

Despite being crude, uncomfortable, unsafe and slow, the Mini Moke became an unlikely global star. Around 14,500 of them were built in Britain and exported to sunnier climes around the world. The sight of Brigitte Bardot driving a Moke in St. Tropez did wonders for its image.

Although UK production ceased in 1968, assembly of the Moke in Australia was already underway. Some 26,000 were built by BMC Australia before production ended in 1981.

Remarkably, the Moke was also built in Portugal until 1993. In total, some 50,000 Mini Mokes are thought to have been built.

‘Call to duty’

The new Mini Moke is designed in Britain and built in France. British designer Michael Young was tasked with bringing the Moke to life for a new generation. He said: “As a Moke enthusiast, when the email came in asking if I was interested to talk about the project, it was like a call to duty for me.

“I had recently been commissioned to rebuild a Moke in Australia from the ground up out of old parts, in 2012. I was fully aware of what needed to be done. It has been more than 20 years since the last Moke rolled off the assembly line in Portugal.

“The world has changed dramatically. We could not just replicate the original model as times have changed, and music and fashion have changed accordingly. So the car’s main requirements actually need adjustments too: enhancements, improved road-holding, braking, suspension and so on.”

“It was essential to strike an equal balance for the old enthusiast and the new generation of Moke drivers – like me. I was equally aware that I had to respect the past and make sure the overall visual aspect was kept intact.”

If you fancy adding a little colour to UK streets, you should get in touch with Moke International via its website. Remember, you are not a number, you are a free man (or woman). The compact crossover can wait for another day.

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2020 Toyota Yaris a ‘safety benchmark’ says Euro NCAP

By

Richard Aucock

-

September 16, 2020

0

2020 Toyota Yaris Euro NCAP safety crash test

The new Toyota Yaris “sets the benchmark for small family car safety” says Euro NCAP as the safety organisation belatedly reveals its first test results of 2020.

The Yaris gains a full five-star rating.

Delayed due to the COVID pandemic, the latest results are also the first to use an entirely new frontal offset crash test.

It replaces the one Euro NCAP has used since its inception in 1997.

Far-side impacts are also newly being assessed in 2020, so Euro NCAP can assess the protection cars offer their occupants, as well as the risks posed by the car they crash into.

“This has been a tough year for all concerned,” acknowledged Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen.

“We have had to adapt quickly to new working practices, and it is pleasing that the first car rated this year should have gone so far to address the safety issues that are emerging as top priorities.”

What is the new far-side impact test?

The Euro NCAP far-side impact test is designed to measure an occupant’s sideways movement towards the opposite side of the vehicle.

The Toyota Yaris helps mitigate this with the introduction of centre airbags, that reduce contact between occupants and “offer compartmentalised protection”.

Safety organisation Thatcham Research’s Mathew Avery called the centre airbags “a genuinely encouraging development for crash safety”.

Meanwhile, the new mobile progressive deformable barrier (MPDB) helps the organisation assess the danger that occupants can present to one another during a collision, by colliding into each other.

“The Yaris, in general, does well, its small size and benign front end making it one of the less aggressive crash partners on the road.”

Thatcham’s Mr Avery added: “With the Yaris, Toyota has shown that cars of any size or category can meet the new benchmark set by the world’s most exacting safety testing programme.”

The new frontal offset test is expected to be less easy for larger, heavier SUVs to pass…

Thatcham Research also praised Toyota’s comprehensive standard-fit Safety Sense, which can now stop the vehicle during turning to avoid a head-on collision with oncoming traffic.

Also tested in the latest round of results were the Audi e-tron Sportback and Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid, both of which carried over the five-star ratings of their core models.

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