Drivers in Dorset targeted by smoking engine scam

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February 10, 2020

A coolant and oil scam is being used to target motorists selling cars in Dorset.

The scammers are arranging to view and purchase cars advertised on Gumtree and Auto Trader. Once at the seller’s address, they are pouring coolant over the engine to make it smoke. The aim is to offer the seller a lower price than advertised.

According to the Daily Echo, one victim was targeted when a scammer went inside his home to view the car’s paperwork. When he returned to his car, another man was looking under the bonnet.

When the car started smoking during a test drive, the victim was offered a lower price, which he refused. He took the car to a local garage where it was confirmed that coolant had been poured over the engine.

A similar incident took place at a pub in Dorset, where the scammers poured oil over an engine in an attempt to buy a car for a lower price. Once again, a local garage confirmed that there was nothing wrong with the engine.

Motorists in Dorset are being warned to look out for two men between the age of 40 and 50, one dressed in smart clothing and the other wearing a suit. A third person is described as a male teenager wearing a Superdry jacket. All three are described as being of Indian descent and driving a silver Audi.

Police community support investigator Kate Hann of East Dorset Police, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who has put a car up for sale recently where the buyers have acted in a similar way, or recognises the men described from similar circumstances.

“I am also keen to remind anyone selling their car to be aware of anyone operating as described and report any suspicious activity to police.”

Last month, it was reported that motorists in the North West are being targeted by scammers using fake online adverts. Buyers are lured to various locations before being threatened with weapons

Revealed: The hardest place to pass the driving instructor test

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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February 10, 2020

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New research has revealed the hardest – and easiest – places for a would-be driving instructor to pass the instructor test.

The study used official Department for Transport (DfT) statistics for every UK test centre over the past decade. More specifically, it looked at the third part of the approved driving instructor (ADI) test.

It’s the last of three tests a trainee driving instructor must pass to qualify as an ADI. It tests an applicant’s ability to teach pupils.

On average, just six percent of the applicants who took the test at the Ashford (London) test centre passed, making it the toughest test centre in the UK.

Things are no easier on the other side of London, with just 16 percent of would-be driving instructors passing their test in Sidcup. Two centres in Birmingham and one in Scotland complete the top five.

According to the research by AMT vehicle solutions, you have more chance of passing the test in Tunbridge Wells, where the 10-year pass rate is 71 percent.

AMT’s general manager Ian Wright said: “The fact that instructor pass rates at individual test centres vary by such huge margins will be shocking to many, as it suggests that the standards against which applicants are judged also differ.

“Normally, you would expect test centres’ results to vary around a common figure and for them to even out over time. The fact that these statistics are an average over the past ten years, yet are still so extreme, shows that the differences between centres are more permanent.

“There also appears to be no geographic trend. So are driving instructors in one location more capable than those in another? It’s something that, if I were learning to drive again, knowing this, I’d want to look into it.”

The 10 hardest centres to pass the instructor test

Rank	Location and pass rate
1.	Ashford (London) – 6 percent
2.	Sidcup (London) – 16 percent
3.	Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham) – 17 percent
4.	Kingstanding (Birmingham) – 18 percent
5.	Paisley (Renfrewshire) – 18 percent
6.	Hendon (London) – 19 percent
7.	Dunfermline (Fife) – 20 percent
8.	Dundee (Scotland) – 20 percent
9.	Aberdeen South (Scotland) – 20 percent
10.	King’s Heath (Birmingham) – 21 percent

The 10 easiest centres to pass the instructor test

Rank	Location
1.	Tunbridge Wells (Kent) – 71 percent
2.	York (North Yorkshire) – 69 percent
3.	Bangor (Gwynedd) – 67 percent
4.	Gosforth (Newcastle upon Tyne) – 67 percent
5.	Livingston (West Lothian) – 67 percent
6.	Pembroke Dock (Pembrokeshire) – 67 percent
7.	Brislington (Bristol) – 63 percent
8.	St Albans (Hertfordshire) – 63 percent
9.	Chelmsford (Essex) – 61 percent
10.	Letchworth (Hertfordshire) – 60 percent

You could buy this rare Tesla Roadster heading to auction

By

John Redfern

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February 10, 2020

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It seems hard to believe that Tesla’s first production car only hit the road some twelve years ago. Especially when the company has seen its share price rocket past £690 ($900).

Given the wealth of models the company now offers, with more to follow, the origin story of Tesla is a little more humble.

However, Tesla aficionados will have the chance to add the original Roadster to their garage at the forthcoming 2020 Race Retro sale.

Batteries are included

Organised by Silverstone Auctions as part of the Race Retro show, the sale features numerous road and competition cars up for grabs.

Lot 453 is for this 2011 Tesla Roadster, which could prove to be a desirable item for Elon Musk fans or those with an interest in battery technology.

First launched in 2008, the Tesla Roadster was based on a Lotus Elise chassis but driven by an electric motor. The Roadster marked the first series production car to use lithium-ion battery packs, with a range of up to 200 miles when charged.

Tesla’s initial strategy saw sales volumes kept low, with fewer than 2,500 examples of the original Roadster produced.

This later 2011 Roadster 2.5 is believed to be the final UK-supplied model produced in right-hand drive. When new, Roadster 2.5 cars were priced at £103,000.

Lotus supplied Tesla with ‘glider’ chassis for Roadster production, with only 6 percent of parts claimed to be shared with the Elise. European models saw final assembly take place in the U.K. by Tesla employees.

Power to the people

Roadster 2.5 models came fitted with an upgraded motor, producing 288 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It allowed the rear-wheel drive Roadster to sprint from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 125 mph.

Fully charged, the Roadster 2.5 was set to offer a total range of 244 miles. The electric range of the Roadster was part of a controversial feature on Top Gear, with a dispute ending in legal proceedings being brought for libel.

Tesla stated that the battery pack fitted to Roadster models should have a usable lifespan of seven years or 100,000 miles. Replacements are hard to find though, with the auction listing making no comment on the current state of the battery.

In terms of usage, the car up for auction has covered 37,800 miles from new. A documented service history shows the last maintenance work being undertaken in July 2019.

As a 2.5 car, the Roadster benefited from a revised front bumper, new rear diffuser, and forged wheels finished in black.

This car was ordered with French Navy Blue, combined with a tan leather interior. 2.5 versions of the Roadster also gained improved sports seats for better comfort.

Key piece of EV history

Silverstone Auctions estimates that the Roadster could make between £55,000 and £65,000 when it crosses the block. This reflects the rarity of right-hand drive Roadsters, along with the desirable specification.

Being an important part of Tesla’s history is likely to further the appeal, with the company set to launch a replacement for the Roadster later this year.

Elon Musk famously launched his personal Roadster into space, making it the first production car to orbit the planet. With the Race Retro sale taking place on Saturday 22nd February, potential bidders have time to plan what to do with this Roadster.

Roush Performance Stage 2 Mustang gets major upgrades for 2020

By

John Redfern

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February 7, 2020

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Roush Performance has revealed details of its updated Stage 2 Ford Mustang, featuring numerous updates for 2020.

Whilst Roush is known for creating supercharged ‘Stangs, the Stage 2 model is the most powerful naturally aspirated model it sells.

An array of updates for the new model year are intended to enhance the usability of this modified Mustang.

Bring the noise

Using the 5.0-liter V-8 GT model as a base means the Stage 2 Mustang leaves the factory with 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Roush leaves the engine alone, but does add a new performance exhaust system with black tailpipes.

Buyers can also opt for the full Roush Active Exhaust system, allowing the exhaust note to be changed from inside the cabin. Special X- or H-pipe exhaust options are available for those who really want to hear the most of the Mustang V-8.

Roush has updated the R9 body kit for 2020, featuring a new front bumper and grille designed to improve airflow. New hood and fender vents are said to help lower engine bay and drivetrain temperatures for improved performance.

A jutting chin splitter, a special Roush-branded rear panel, and a decklid spoiler are also included.

MagneRide suspension and more

One of the most significant changes for the 2020 Stage 2 Mustang is the use of a Roush-calibrated MagneRide suspension setup. This adaptive setup allows the driver to tailor the ride for street or track use as desired.

Also new are a set of 20-inch FlowForm alloy wheels, finished in matte black and wrapped in Continental ExtremeContact tires. Again, the Roush options list offers greater choice should buyers want it, including Roush forged wheels and Brembo brakes for those who are looking to use their Mustang on track days.

The interior of the Stage 2 Mustang has also been updated for 2020, with sports seats finished in black leather with contrast stitching. Roush adds American flag accents to the front seats as well, whilst the interior can also benefit from numerous optional enhancements.

How fast do you want to go?

Pricing for the Roush Stage 2 Mustang begins at $12,995 above the regular production vehicle chosen as a base. The conversion is available for both fastback and convertible Mustangs, and applicable to cars with either manual or automatic transmissions.

Based upon the current MSRP for a new 2020 Ford Mustang GT, buyers would have to spend at least a total of $48,625 to take home a Roush Stage 2 model. A three-year/36,000-mile warranty is included in the sale.

For those more concerned about outright performance, Roush does also offer a Phase 2 supercharger kit priced at $7,999.00. The lure of 750 horsepower and 670 lb-ft of torque could certainly prove to be appealing.

The best countries in Europe for an electric car road-trip

By

Ethan Jupp

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February 7, 2020

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Which country in Europe is best for an electric car road-trip? To decide, you need to weigh up how good the charging infrastructure is, versus how appealing the country for driving around.

Happily, Carwow has done the hard work for you, working out where electric car drivers will feel most comfortable and entertained.

The long road-trip is perhaps the last hurdle the electric car will have to leap. Many people take it on, covering thousands of miles in a matter of days, crossing countries and even continents. Once electric cars can truly manage that – and that means 500-mile range figures, 15-minute charge times and widely available fast charging – then they truly can replace the conventional car.

Flightless holidays and electric cars have both soared in popularity this year, so it’s considering which countries are best-prepared for EV drivers.

By Carwow’s reckoning, EV-friendliness and tourism factor each contribute a maximum of 10 points, for a total possible score of 20.

EV-friendliness is based on four factors: EV ownership levels, density of fast chargers, density of all chargers, plus the highway network. Tourism is judged by three main points: number of UNESCO world heritage sites, popularity with tourists and coverage of national parks. .

Top 10 countries in Europe for an EV road-trip

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Norway – 10.6
Netherlands – 9.5
Switzerland – 5.5
Belgium – 5.5
Denmark – 4.4
United Kingdom – 4.3
Croatia – 4.1
Austria – 3.9
Germany – 3.9
Slovenia – 3.8

So Norway takes the cake, winning partly because of the number of fast chargers it has per 100km of highway – an impressive 655 on average. That gives drivers more of a change of filling up quickly when they plug in.

This, in combination with its stunning scenery, helps it beat the Netherlands, even with the latter’s higher number of chargers overall.

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For comparison, here is the list of European countries with the most fast chargers:

1. Germany – 5,074 fast chargers
2. United Kingdom – 4,008 fast chargers
3. Norway – 3,426 fast chargers
4. France – 1,975 fast chargers
5. Spain – 1,242 fast chargers
6. Netherlands – 1,069 fast chargers
7. Sweden – 1,023 fast chargers
8. Switzerland – 846 fast chargers
9. Italy – 833 fast chargers
10. Austria – 575 fast chargers

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“With climate change constantly on the news agenda, everyone is looking at ways to play their part and go a bit greener,” said Mat Watson from Carwow.

“Whilst the UK fares well as a contender for an EV-friendly driving holiday, you can access a huge amount of Europe without stepping onto a plane. The good news is the charging network is getting better and better every day, and some European countries are already leagues ahead, so if you’re driving electric you can fully relax.”

Google Maps celebrates 15 years with new features

By

Ethan Jupp

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February 7, 2020

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Google Maps is celebrating 15 years of living on our smartphones. The navigation app changed the game, putting precise navigation in our pockets. Now, on its 15th anniversary, it’s got a major overhaul and will finally display speed limits in Android Auto.

If you open your phone you’ll notice the logo has changed. It’s now a ‘dropped pin’ with the Google colours across it. Tap it, and the changes are more than thumbnail-deep.

Gone is the ‘hamburger’ menu, replaced with tabs at the bottom of the app. At the top, there’s a standard search menu, with some keywords you can scroll through and tap, depending on what you want to find.

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‘Explore’, ‘Commute’ and ‘For you’ are the primary tabs at the bottom. ‘Saved’, ‘Contribute’ and ‘Updates’ should join in the coming months. Commute is the practical lifesaver if you’re driving or using public transport. It delivers everything from real-time traffic information to alternative routes, delays, and estimated travel times. It will also show local details shared by other users, like the temperature and details about a specific train.

‘Explore’ is the traditional free-roam map view, allowing you to look at the area you’re currently in, or zoom out to a worldwide view. ‘For you’ is quite clever in that it uses your Google profile and preferences you’ve set up, to suggest destinations and locations you may be interested in.

‘Contribute’ brings more general Google functionality into Maps, allowing you to upload photos, add places and review destinations. ‘Updates’ will let you chat with businesses, discover recommendations from people you know, and show a list of hotspots curated by contributors and publishers.

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Google Street View cars clock up 10 million miles

All of this should translate to Android Auto, as will, for UK users specifically, the return of the display of the local speed limit.

“In 2005, we set out to map the world,” Google’s statement on the update reads.

“Since then we’ve pushed the limits of what a map can do: from helping you easily navigate from point A to B, to helping you explore and get things done in the world. With more than 1 billion people turning to Google Maps to see and explore the world, we’re celebrating our 15th birthday with a new look and product updates based on feedback from you.

“Starting today, you’ll see an updated Google Maps app for Android and iOS that gives you everything you need at your fingertips with five easy-to-access tabs: Explore, Commute, Saved, Contribute and Updates.”

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Nissan gives million-mile driver a new pick-up

By

Ethan Jupp

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February 7, 2020

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Chicago-based courier Brian Murphy has driven has 2007 Nissan Frontier more than a million miles. As a reward, and because it wanted the vehicle for a display at the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan has given him a brand new truck.

The Frontier, known as the Navara in the UK, has hardly changed since its debut in 2005.That’s two Presidents ago, and before the iPhone came out. So the truck he’ll get is very similar to his million-miler. Minus a life of hard work, of course.

Nissan recently gave the long-serving Frontier a 310hp 3.8-litre V6 engine, along with a nine-speed auto transmission. A new model is finally due before the end of 2020.

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“They’re not gonna start building the new one with the new engine until mid-April, they tell me, and at that time I can order what I want,” Murphy said, in an interview with The Drive.

“They’re also gonna fly me down to Mississippi and watch it be built. I’m tired of shifting, so I’m gonna get an automatic, and I’m gonna switch to the [new] V6. They say it gets as good mileage as the four-cylinder, so I’m gonna go with that.”

“I have to stay with the King Cab because I need more space in back than in the cab, and the bed on the crew cab is a little shorter.”

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The new truck will go straight to work, for what Murphy expects will be another six or seven years. That said, he did say he might go for the top-spec Pro-4X, which comes with trick Bilstein off-road-tuned suspension.

How much does he plan on using his truck before he stops work? “Hopefully by the time I do retire, I’ll still have a half-way decent truck, even though it’ll have half-a-million miles on it!”

1 in 10 vehicles ‘will be self-driving’ by 2030

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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February 7, 2020

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“Fully automated cars are expected to contribute some 13.7 billion U.S. dollars by 2030. One in ten vehicles will be self-driving by then.”

That’s quite a claim. Within a decade, 10 percent of vehicles will be self-driving globally. TEN PERCENT.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world’s car count is likely to hit roughly two billion somewhere in the 2035 to 2040 window. So that’s 200 million self-driving cars and rising. Give or take a few million, that’s a lot of self-driving cars, not to mention a major shift in driving culture and the supporting infrastructure.

Statista, the organisation behind the claim, provides a major caveat. “Clearly, the market growth depends on the speed of consumer acceptance and the manufacturers’ ability to scale up production,” it says.

“Many consumers see attacks from hackers as the main barrier to autonomous vehicle adoption. Almost four out of five consumers do not trust self-driving cars to provide enough vehicle security. More than 70 percent of consumers do not think driverless vehicle systems will be safe from hackers.”

There are a lot of hurdles and obstacles to clear in a decade. In just four sentences, Statista references consumer acceptance, production and security as three barriers to the success of the self-driving car.

‘Expected to reach new heights’

Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Cox Automotive, is sceptical. “There’s several hundred thousand dollars of technology in each of these vehicles,” he said. “I don’t see private ownership of self-driving cars happening for the foreseeable future.”

However, Brauer shares Statista’s view that robo-taxis could replace taxis and ride-sharing vehicles in towns and cities. Statista says driverless taxis are expected to contribute some 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars by 2030, making it the top application for fully autonomous technology.

The technology isn’t restricted to terra firma. Last month, Hyundai and Uber unveiled a ride-sharing air taxi, with plans to make it a fully autonomous solution to urban congestion. It could take flight as early as 2023, although self-piloting versions are expected to arrive much later.

A recent report by Transparency Market Research (TMR) shows that the robo-taxi market is growing rapidly at a value Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 58 percent. “The adoption of robo-taxis is expected to reach new heights in the coming years,” it says.

The report also points to the market drivers fuelling the growth of the self-driving car market. One is the rising demand for roadside safety of the drivers and passengers, with TMR pointing to the fact that 90 percent of accidents are the result of human error. Among these accidents, 50 percent have proven to be fatal.

Whether or not motorists are ready to put their trust in self-driving cars remains to be seen. If not, the ‘one in 10’ claim seems wildly optimistic.

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Custom capsules are the ultimate way to show off your supercar

By

Ethan Jupp

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February 7, 2020

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Want to show off your pride and joy? If your car is worthy of a motor show podium, this could be exactly what you’re looking for. Say hello to the supercar capsule.

The idea is to make your car look like it’s inside a private showroom, which can be fully customised in terms of interior design and lighting. The capsule is somewhere to display your car, rather than simply store it.

It comes from company called Superfuturedesign, a subsidiary of Italian consultancy firm ASZarchitetti group, which is known for its award-winning architecture and design work.

Customising the supercar capsule

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Each capsule is configurable to the needs of the customer, based on space requirements and your design vision. A Lamborghini Centenario, for instance, is pictured displayed in a room with a yellow colour scheme, while on the outside there’s a very traditional design, incorporating the Lamborghini badge.

The real ‘capsule’, however, is the option to build an entirely new ‘showroom’ for the car, like a giant display case. A Ferrari is pictured stacked on top of a Porsche, as if they are models for sale in a shop.

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Another radical idea is to merge the garage with existing rooms in your house, to make the car a display piece. Visitors can see and admire your car, without having to take them into the garage. See the Lamborghini above as an example.

It’s also possible to remodel and renovate existing garages with new material finishes, lighting and colour schemes. The strip-lighting seen here is perfect for highlighting the contours of a sports car.

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The project comes from the minds of car enthusiasts, so is centred around appreciating cars as art. It’s the kind of gift we’d all love to give our favourite car.

Prices aren’t mentioned, but given Porsches, Ferraris and Lamborghinis are used to demonstrate the designs, so if you have to ask…

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Phone CarKey is coming to iPhone and Apple Watch

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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February 7, 2020

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The Apple CarKey is coming – and motorists will soon be able to lock and unlock their car using an iPhone or Apple Watch.

This is according to 9to5Mac, which says it has found evidence of a ‘CarKey‘ feature in the beta version of the iOS 13.4 software update.

The website says iOS 13.4 contains references to a CarKey API, which will enable the iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock and even start a car.

Apple released the first developer beta of iOS 13.4 on Wednesday. Along with the CarKey function, the update is expected to add support for new call controls and third-party navigation in Apple CarPlay. There are also nine new Memoji sticker types. Because the world needs more Memoji stickers.

The concept of a digital key is nothing new. In 2017, Volvo became the first manufacturer to offer an app for a mobile phone to replace a physical key with a digital version. Using the Bluetooth-enabled digital key, Volvo owners can lock and unlock the doors or boot, as well as starting the engine.

Tesla Model 3 owners can use a feature called Phone Key, which does exactly what it says. With Bluetooth enabled, the car will unlock as the owner approaches and then be ready to start as normal. Previously, Tesla has recommended using it as the ‘primary method of accessing and starting your vehicle’.

There’s plenty of online evidence to suggest the company has shifted its stance a little.

‘Why put your key in the ignition?’

Meanwhile, BMW asks: ‘Why put your key in the ignition if you have your smartphone with you?’ The Digital Key can be downloaded to an Android smartphone using the BMW Connected app and shared with family and friends.

Note the reference to Android. News of Apple’s move into the world of the smartphone car key will be music to the ears of BMW owners who have been unable to use such a feature with their iPhone or Apple Watch.

The Apple CarKey will only work with cars that are capable of using near field communications (NFC) which require a fob to start or unlock. 9to5Mac says Apple is ‘already working with some car manufacturers to implement CarKey,’ but it doesn’t say which ones.

It will be a while before Apple users can use the CarKey. In an age when keyless car theft is on the rise, some people might prefer it if the feature doesn’t make it beyond the beta stage…