New government data, as collated by Moneybarn, reveals interesting information about speeding fines. It includes where in the UK you’re most likely to be caught, plus where the highest percentage get cancelled.
Our shocking headline figure belongs to the City of London, where over 62 percent of fixed penalty notice speeding fines were cancelled last year.
CoL is leagues ahead of second-placed Cambridgeshire here. Just over 30 percent of fines issued there were cancelled last year. Greater Manchester, London Metropolitan and Bedfordshire follow behind, with respective cancellation rates of 26, 24 and 23 percent.
Why would a speeding fine be cancelled?
There are four main reasons why a fine may be cancelled. Incorrect details about the offence, the accused wasn’t driving, missing or incorrect road signage denoting the presence of a camera, and faulty measuring equipment.
Is there a high rate of sign vandalism in the City of London? Possibly. Are speeders taking to other people’s cars and going AWOL? Also a possible. Realistically, there’s no way of knowing.
Where are the UK’s speeding ticket hotspots?
Avon and Somerset leads the way when it comes to speeding fines, with 199,337 issued last year. That’s the equivalent of 548 every day. You can chalk that up to around 800 active cameras spread across the counties.
In second place is West Yorkshire, with 174,796 FPNs issued last year. London Metropolitan and Thames Valley follow with 135,430 and 131,401 FPNs.
Curiously, City of London (local to London Metropolitan) is among those with the least FPNs issued, at just 3,888. Gwent in Wales has the lowest number of FPNs for speeding over the last year, with 242. Apparently, only eight of its 17 speed cameras are active at any one time.
Five million British drivers insist they won’t change the way they drive, even if it helps reduce emissions and lessen their environmental impact.
And the further North you get, the less people are willing to consider the environmental impact of their driving habits, according to a survey by connected car tech company Lightfoot.
Hard acceleration, late braking and heavy use of the air conditioning are all considered non-eco-friendly driving behaviours.
Just 1 in 4 Scottish drivers are willing to challenge such habits to help the environment: for those in the North East, the willingness to change plunges further, to 1 in 5 motorists.
Blissfully ignorant
Perhaps even more worryingly is that over half of 25-34 year olds simply don’t realise that changing your driving style can improve emissions and economy.
69 percent of respondents said that they couldn’t identify the driving behaviours and habits that increase emissions. 55 percent also didn’t know that heavy braking and air conditioning usage have a negative impact on emissions, for example.
Remarkably, 7 in 10 said that they didn’t know that stop-start was a fuel-saving system.
“A good driver can be 20 percent more efficient than a bad driver,” said Mark Roberts, CEO and Founder of Lightfoot.
“In the short term, not driving is not an option for everyone. We need to extend our green thinking to our driving style and make a real impact in reducing our emissions through better driving.”
Saving 1,000 cars’ worth of emissions
Lightfoot recently launched its ‘Breathe Exeter’ clean air initiative. It aims to save the equivalent of 1,000 cars’ worth of emissions by the end of the year. That’s how much it believes driving habits affect your emissions. Its ‘fitbit for cars’ is designed to draw more attention from drivers to the way they drive.
The University of Bath claims it reduces drivers’ fuel use and emissions by as much as 20 percent. Insurers and brokers report it reducing accident rates by as much as 80 percent.
“We want to show we can significantly cut emissions by making Exeter the first city-scale case study that proves the power of collective action,” continues Roberts.
“Jointly, we can create a blueprint for other cities to follow, proving that a social movement for change can have a bigger, more immediate impact than slow-moving national policy. Together, we can dramatically cut CO2 and NOx, through one simple action – smoother driving.”
Which means the annual Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show) at Birmingham’s NEC is a big deal. Particularly as many brands used the 2019 show to reveal their latest vans – with the headline-grabbing draw being the world debut of the Ford Transit-rivalling, British-built Vauxhall Vivaro.
Vauxhall Vivaro
The new Vauxhall Vivaro is the result of a £100 million investment into the firm’s Luton plant. 1,250 jobs have been secured and the target is to build 100,000 a year, including a fully electric version that arrives in 2020. Vauxhall chief Stephen Norman was on hand to debut the new Vivaro, and was full of facts: the entry-level 100 horsepower model emits 22 percent less CO2 than a comparable Ford Transit, for example. The 120 horsepower version puts out 27 percent less CO2 than its arch-rival. And it can take loads 21 percent longer than the Ford. No guessing which rival Vauxhall’s targeting – nor how bullish it is as to its chances…
2020 Ford Transit
Ford isn’t standing still, though. It will update the market-leading Transit in mid-2019 with a series of tweaks that save weight and allow it to carry up to 80 kg more load. These include an aluminium bonnet – normally a feature of exotic supercars – CAD-designed wheels and a composite bulkhead. The new EcoBlue Hybrid is the van sector’s first 48V mild hybrid, with CO2 emissions from 144 g/km, and even the regular EcoBlue diesel is seven percent more economical. Ford says it all results in the “smartest and most productive Transit ever”.
Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid
After several years of trials in London, the production version of the Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid also goes on sale at the end of 2019. It has a 30-mile electric range and a tiny 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine to extend range further. Ford is also promising a fully electric Transit in 2021, to take on the 2020 Vauxhall Vivaro EV.
LDV EV30
At the value end of the new van sector, the LDV EV30 electric van was revealed at the 2019 CV Show. It is effectively a more affordable Chinese rival to the Nissan e-NV200 – the industry knows vans will have to go electric as soon as possible, to bypass ever-stricter city centre emissions limits. It will go on sale in 2020, with prices expected to start from £22,000.
Two bodystyles will be offered, a short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase, and there will be two battery options: 35 kWh (with a 127 mile range) and 53 kWh (offering a 200 mile range). Both will use a 114 horsepower electric motor, and total payload ranges from 600 kg to 1 tonne.
Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Safir
The British pickup truck sector is a particular hot spot in the market right now – and several brands had new variants to show. Isuzu’s successful partnership with Arctic Trucks continues with the special edition AT35 Safir. Just 10 will be sold, each costing a cool £45,000. They’ll all be individually numbered, and each will be painted in Sapphire Blue Mica. Bright Lazer Lights in the bumper are complemented by a new roof-mounted light bar, alloy wheels are diamond-cut and, inside, leather seats and premium audio with subwoofer and a 9-inch touchscreen are fitted.
Mitsubishi Shogun Sport SVP
Mitsubishi showed a Shogun Sport concept at the 2019 CV Show, called SVP. It’s going to launch it in the summer – its show stand appearance was to get feedback from customers about what should be standard. The concept has black 18-inch wheels and BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres; they’re so chunky, the track is 40 mm wider and the wheelarches have been extended to suit. There’s also an LED light bar on the roof, PIAA rally driving lamps, black decals and badges set off by red detailing and, inside, leather seats and red LED mood lighting. We also like the sound of the Walkinshaw Performance Limited and Koni tuned suspension. Can we have it all please, Mitsubishi?
Ford Ranger Raptor
The Shogun Sport SVP will need to be tasty if it’s to take on Ford’s mighty Ranger Raptor. Described as a factory-built high-performance off-road truck, it has Fox Pro tuned suspension, multiple driving modes, a 210 horsepower 2.0-litre diesel engine and 10-speed automatic gearbox. It’s the styling both outside and in that really sets it apart, though – as it should, with prices starting from £40,696, plus VAT.
Toyota Hilux Invincible X
The updated Toyota Hilux Invincible X isn’t as aggressive as the hot Ranger Raptor, but it’s still more standout than regular Hilux. 18-inch wheels have a two-tone machined finish, there’s liberal use of smoked grey chrome, and the interior boasts an all-black colour scheme and piano black trim. A full suite of active safety kit is standard on 2019 models, too.
Toyota Proace City
The long-running Toyota Proace van is being joined by a smaller sibling, the Proace City. The 2019 CV Show marked its global debut ahead of taking on Europe’s small van sector, which accounts for 1 in 3 CV sales. If the looks are familiar, that’s because it’s been developed with PSA, so is also sold as the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo.
Toyota Proace City Verso
There’s a passenger version of Toyota’s new small van too, called the Proace City Verso. This is available with three rows of seats in both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase guise.
Volkswagen e-Crafter
Volkswagen was showing off the e-Crafter large van, which is coming to the UK in right-hand drive in 2021. This one has a 136 horsepower power output and a 35 kWh lithium ion battery, good for a range of 107 miles. Importantly, load space is unaffected by the batteries, so it can carry 10.7 square metres of load – and the total payload is up to 1.75 tonnes.
Volkswagen Abt e-Caddy
Volkswagen is planning to base its electric vans on its upcoming ‘MEB’ electric architecture. This isn’t ready yet – but it has a solution. Long-time VW tuning company Abt is, with official approval, converting current-generation vans to run on electric. The first to arrive is the Abt e-Caddy, which comes later in 2019. A range of around 140 miles sounds pretty good to us – and the conversion barely affects load capacity either.
Volkswagen Crafter Police cell van
The Volkswagen ‘Engineered to Go’ customisation service is gathering pace in the UK. It relaunched earlier this year to offer high-quality, officially-approved conversions through Volkswagen UK van centres. This Police cell van apparently has toughened glass: one visitor asked if they could throw a brick at the windscreen to try it out. Presumably into the back of the van they went…
Citroen Relay Electric
PSA, parent company of Peugeot and Citroen, is another brand committed to electrifying its van range. At the 2019 CV Show, it previewed electric versions of both the Citroen Relay…
Peugeot Boxer Electric
… And the Peugeot Boxer. Standard length models will have a range of 141 miles, and longer versions will run for 169 miles between charges.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Commercial
The London ULEZ has focused business attention on cleaning up their van range. For those who want to eschew diesel entirely, but aren’t yet ready to go fully-electric, Mitsubishi has the Outlander PHEV Commercial, a van version of Britain’s most popular plug-in electric car.
SsangYong Musso Highways England concept
SsangYong is now an official supplier to England’s ‘blue and orange light’ services. On display at the show was an early look at a collaboration it will soon announce with Highways England.
Ford Backbone of Britain campaign
Ford was showing off its latest big-budget advertising campaign for its commercial vehicle range. As the UK’s CV market leader for 54 years, it has plenty to shout about, and the billboards were evident throughout the NEC…
Ford Ranger RNLI
… And it even had a few star cars from the TV ad on its stand as well! Members of the RNLI used their presence to raise vital funds from well-wishing show-goers.
Ford Fiesta SportVan
A year on from launch, the Fiesta SportVan still cuts a dash. It’s probably the most enjoyable small van driving enthusiast can buy – a genuine ‘hot hatch’ van.
Isuzu D-Max RAC Heavy Duty Patrol Van
The innovations team at the RAC has worked with Isuzu and a specialist bodybuilder to create this clever new Heavy Duty Patrol Van. Based on a D-Max supercab, it can tow up to 2.8 tonnes – good for 90 percent of cars and vans on UK roads – but is much more manoeuvrable than big flat-bed trucks. It’s perfect for use in busy cities, particularly as it’s equipped with the RAC’s equally clever ‘All-Wheels Up’ towing kit that can recover stranded 4x4s and electric vehicles.
Isuzu D-Max XTR
The D-Max XTR is another appealing special from Isuzu. It has uprated suspension (including components to increase wheel articulation), 17-inch wheels and 32-inch tyres, adding an extra 250 mm of ground clearance. High-end Kevlar ceramic brake pads are fitted, and it’s equipped with all-new Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain tyres. The tough bodykit is distinctive, and we love how the green detailing extends to vivid green-painted suspension and brake components beneath…
SsangYong Rexton Police
Another example of SsangYong’s successful partnership with authorities is this Police-liveried Rexton. The company hopes many more like this will be delivered in coming years.
Fiat Ducato ambulance
A government report has recommended old-fashioned ‘box-style’ ambulances to be replaced by new, modular designs based on panel vans. Such as the popular Fiat Ducato conversion that’s already created hundreds of new British ambulances. If all ambulances switched to this design. The NHS could save more than £11 million each year: that’s why this exhibit was gaining a lot of attention from CV show-goers.
Vauxhall Vivaro Life
The passenger version of the new Vauxhall Vivaro is called the Vivaro Life. It can seat up to nine passengers, and it too will be offered as a fully-electric model from early 2021. It’s the perfect people carrier for those who want to treat passengers well – but, as it will also carry 3,397 litres of load with all seats removed, it remains a practical van at heart too.
Vauxhall Combo Cargo
The Vauxhall Combo Cargo is the firm’s fresh new arrival in the small van sector, and it’s already winning fans. Over 5,000 have already been sold in the UK, making it one of the best-selling models in its sector. No wonder Vauxhall is so bullish about its chances in the British van market right now.
Toyota Proace Jiffy Van
Finally, we simply had to check this out: Toyota’s Proace Jiffy conversion. It’s a mobile food wagon, including a hot food display cabinet and space for a restaurant-spec coffee machine. Sadly, it hadn’t been kitted up, so we had to spend money at the NEC’s overpriced shops instead. How about decking it out for next year’s show, Toyota?
The Range Rover line-up has had a mild update for 2019, gaining a smooth-running inline six-cylinder petrol engine, as well as standard fitment of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Colour and trim options have been revised, and detail changes include headlights that adjust to which of the road you’re driving at the press of a button. They even automatically dim when they sense you’re being glared by reflections from signposts.
CarPlay and Android Auto as standard
Admittedly, new engines aren’t always the hottest topic these days. Connectivity, however, is. You can’t call your car well-equipped these days without integration of Apple and Android’s proprietary in-car phone systems.
As such, the Range Rover has been playing catch-up, until now. Both systems now come as standard across the range.
Mild hybrid + clever engine = over 30mpg
The new engine is a 400 horsepower 3.0-litre ingenium straight-six with 48V mild hybrid technology: it’s called P400.
(It’s worth noting the P400e plug-in hybrid continues: this uses a 2.0-litre turbo petrol paired with an electric motor and higher-capacity battery.)
The new engine was first seen in the Range Rover Sport P400, and comes to the larger Range Rover more or less unchanged. That means the 3.0-litre straight-six comes with both a turbocharger and an electric supercharger, which work in harmony.
The technical jargon is available here in our story on the Sport P400, but it’s clever tech. All in, efficiency is improved, and lag is down. Not least on both parts, thanks to the 48-volt battery and the torque boost it provides, meaning the engine doesn’t have to lug as much during low-end acceleration.
Those first few moments of acceleration are some of the most stressful and least efficient in the usage cycle of a conventional internal combustion engine.
The battery can also recover charge during deceleration and braking, and works in tandem with a more sophisticated and comprehensive start-stop system. Overall, the new Range Rover equipped with this powertrain can achieve 30.4mpg on average and produces 212g/km of CO2 (on the NEDC cycle).
“Traditional Range Rover strengths have been heightened with the introduction of the latest 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine,” said Nick Rogers, Executive Director of Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover.
“Advanced technologies work alongside a mild-hybrid system that harvests energy as you drive, to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
“The otherwise wasted energy is used to power the electric supercharger, which enhances vehicle capability by enhancing the torque curve at low engine speeds for greater responses.”
As for colours, Eiger Grey has replaced Corris Grey, and Portofino Blue replaces Loire Blue. A new 22-inch gloss black wheel option also joins the range.
Prices for the entry-level SDV6 Vogue start from £83,655; the new P400 engine costs from £90,010.
The Tesla Model 3 is finally within grasp for UK buyers, as the order books and configurator open for the right-hand drive version of Tesla’s volume seller. With that, also comes the answer to the question everyone’s been asking…
How much is the Tesla Model 3 in the UK?
The Tesla Model 3 will start from £38,900 in the UK. That’s for the Standard Range Plus model, including the £3,500 Plug-in Car Grant (and an £850 delivery charge).
Long Range AWD and Performance models will start from £47,900 and £56,900 respectively. That’s right, without the £3,500 electric car grant, the Performance Model 3 is a £60,000 car.
All Model 3s are warrantied for four years up to 50,000 miles. The battery and drive unit is warrantied for 8 years or 100,000 miles in the entry-level car, and 120,000 miles for the Long Range and Performance models.
What do you get for your money?
Note: LHD model pictured, edited to get a feel for RHD
All Model 3s come with Autopilot, which allows partially supervised (hands on the wheel) autonomous driving, with automatic accelerating and braking.
The Standard Range Plus model comes generously equipped out the box, with 12-way adjustable heated seats, a decent audio system and navigation included.
Higher-end models get the Premium Interior Package, satellite view on the navigation, premium 14-speaker audio and in-car internet.
What’s the UK Model 3 performance and range like?
In the Standard Range Plus model, you get 258 miles of (estimated) WLTP-rated range, a top speed of 140mph and a 5.3-second 0-60 mph capability.
Long Range AWD and Performance models will go for 348 and 329 miles respectively, based on an estimated WLTP rating. The Long Range reach 60mph in 4.5 seconds on its way to 145mph, while the Performance is good for 3.2 seconds to 60mph, on the way to a top end of 162mph.
The trade-off in the Performance and Long Range models, is weight. Both are over 200kg heavier than the entry-level car.
How much will a Tesla Model 3 cost to charge?
What you will be paying for, is juice. While the Supercharger network is there for your use in a Model 3, you will be paying for every ‘fill-up’. Model S and X owners get free usage of Tesla’s infamous network of chargers.
So how much is a full charge in a Model 3? Based on Tesla’s calculator, you won’t be out any more than £30 to ‘fill up’ any Model 3.
Tesla’s cost calculator reckons 400 miles of driving would cost £63 in petrol and quotes £29 for the equivalent in electricity. That’s based on an assumed internal combustion MPG figure of 32.7, at £1.14 per litre. Fuel is a bit more expensive these days, too…
What options are available on the Model 3?
The Model 3 has a choice of wheels and colours, but it’s not going to be troubling the Fiat 500 for supremacy in personalisation and customisation.
Larger 19-inch Sport wheels are a £1,450 option for the Standard Range Plus and Long Range AWD cars. Out of the box, you get 18-inch ‘Aero’ wheels, which we happen to be fans of… The Performance gets 20-inch ‘performance’ wheels, obviously.
In terms of paint, midnight silver and deep blue are available for a £950 premium. Multi-coat red and pearl white are a bit pricier, at £1,900.
When can I have one?
Tesla’s site says ‘estimated delivery: June’ at the moment, and first in the queue will be those who placed an early reservation.
Get your orders in quick if you want one, as there’s sure to be a lot of demand. Especially considering how many have had a downpayment outstanding for a couple of years now…
The new Aston Martin Vantage AMR has been unveiled at Spa-Francorchamps – and as teased on social media, it has a manual gearbox.
In what will be music to the ears of car fans, the seven-speed manual transmission in the Vantage AMR also features a ‘dog-leg’ first gear, creating a traditional double H-pattern for second to seventh gears.
It’s the first time Aston Martin has offered a manual gearbox since the previous-generation Vantage in 2017, and the transmission – developed by Graziano – is mated to a limited-slip differential, tuned and calibrated at Silverstone.
The manual ‘box features Amshift, a system that mimics the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts and allows for full-throttle upshifts. If you’re not salivating over the prospect of driving the AMR now, you don’t have petrol running through your veins.
Manual shifting joy
Production of the Vantage AMR is limited to 200 units, although the Vantage will continue to feature a manual gearbox as an option from the beginning of 2020, following the sale of all 200 models. Customers can expect to take delivery by the end of 2019.
The ‘standard’ 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine remains, with the same 510hp at 6,000rpm. The 0-62mph time increases from 3.6 seconds to 4.0 seconds, but we suspect you’ll have more fun hurtling towards the 195mph top speed.
Removing the automatic transmission creates a purer driving experience, but also sheds 95kg of weight. Carbon brakes are standard, while the damping system incorporates Aston Martin’s ‘Skyhook’ technology and features three driving modes: Sport, Sport+ and Track.
Fulfilling a promise
Aston Martin is well aware that the manual gearbox will grab the headlines: “Vantage AMR fulfils [its] promise to deliver a product with the involvement and driver engagement that only a manual can offer,” it says.
The first 141 units will be available in either Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone, and priced at £149,995. But we suspect there will be a strong demand for the final 59 ‘Vantage 59’ editions, finished in a Stirling Green and Lime exterior paint scheme with a ‘59’ logo on the bonnet.
These models are crafted to celebrate 60 years since Aston Martin’s victory at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans, when Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby finished ahead of Maurice Trintignant and Paul Frere to complete a one-two for the DBR1.
Priced at £164,995, these are offered on a first-come-first-served basis and also feature a Dark Knight leather and Alcantara interior, finished with a signature AMR lime stripe and stitching. These are the AMRs most likely to be squirrelled away in an air-conditioned basement for investment purposes.
Autonomous ‘robo-taxis’ be damned
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, said: “When I joined this company, customers asked and, as a gearbox engineer and racer, I promised that we would always offer a manual transmission in our line-up.
“The Vantage AMR not only honours that commitment, but sets us apart from our competitors in continuing to offer a three-pedal option. In a world of autonomous robo-taxis, Aston Martin will continue to advance the art and science of performance driving.
“With the Vantage AMR, we have created a thoroughly modern sports car that rewards effort and focus from the driver; the antidote to driving a computer game.
“With the Vantage GTE set to race again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, I hope that those customers who are lucky enough to take ownership of a Vantage 59, will have even more reason to celebrate with their new car”.
Owners of Ford and Lincolns in a number of American cities will no longer need to worry about waiting around to accept delivery of bulky Amazon packages.
The Blue Oval has announced a partnership with Amazon, expanding its Key In-Car delivery service to include certain Ford and Lincoln models.
Similar to the In-home service already offered by Amazon for customers with smart locks on their home, Key In-Car delivery aims to eliminate parcel anxiety with connected technology.
In order to use the Key In-Car service, owners will need either a 2017 or later model year Ford, or 2018 and later model year Lincoln, equipped with FordPass or Lincoln Connect.
By downloading the FordPass or Lincoln Way app, owners can then activate their car as eligible for In-Car deliveries.
Once setup as a delivery option within Amazon Prime, Fords and Lincolns will then be ready to wait around for packages to turn up – letting their owners do other things.
Amazon will send notifications leading up to the delivery, and owners must park their vehicles within two blocks of their listed delivery address.
Once the delivery drivers arrives at the car, it will automatically unlock, allowing the package to be placed inside. Notifications are also sent to confirm that the car has been relocked after the delivery is made.
Owners can also change their mind on the day of delivery, blocking access to their car and having their items delivered to their property instead.
Ford’s is the latest manufacturer to team up with Amazon for Key In-Car delivery.
The service is already offered for certain connected Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles, whilst Volvo also offers it as part of the On Call account.
In the Czech Republic, Skoda has also begun trials of online deliveries in partnership with two of the biggest online retailers in the country, alaz.cz and roklik.ch.
In 2019, years on from the original problems and recalls, the Vauxhall Zafira is getting some heat once again – no pun intended. Melting plugs rather than outright fires are the problem this time, so it’s not quite as severe. A safe move on Vauxhall’s part, nonetheless. Do the fiery chronicles of the Zafira match other big recalls? Here, we have some more significant recalls from recent years.
Takata: airbag disaster
This is the most famous and destructive recall saga of all time. Countless marques, from Ford to Ferrari, that used Takata airbags, were recalled for potentially fatal faults that could see them randomly erupt in occupants’ faces. It all began in 2013 but the latest round of recalls sees the total affected airbag units rise to near-on 70 million. It won’t surprise you to read that this has led to the downfall of Takata…
Ford F150: Transmission issues
When you have a problem with the best-selling vehicle on the planet, first of all, there will be a lot affected, and secondly, everyone is going to know about it. Last year, over 350,000 vehicles in North America (F150s and Expeditions) were recalled for gearbox trouble. 2019 started even worse for the American giant, with nearly 1.5 million 2011-2013 F150s with six-speed ‘boxes recalled for a propensity to shift randomly into first.
BMW: diesel fire risk
As many as 1.6 million diesel BMWs were set to be recalled as of late 2018, because of a fire risk. The initial recall was mooted for 480,000 cars throughout European and Asian countries but was expanded a few months later. Both 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre four-cylinder and six-cylinder diesels built between August 2010 and August 2017 were affected. The issue was caused by exhaust gas recirculation coolers leaking coolant, which becomes combustible when mixed with engine soot and subjected to heat.
Ford GT: fire risk
Money can’t buy perfection: even supercars at the heady heights of the Ford GT suffer stumbles that need to be corrected post-release. Like with the Zafira, fires have plagued the GT. In this case, wing actuator hydraulic fluid leaks onto the exhaust. Around 200 cars were affected on the American continent.
Toyota Hybrid: fire risk and power failure
Toyota hybrids have had a selection of issues, with the most recent being fires and a loss of power. Over the course of September and October 2018, we reported on fire risk and then power loss risks on Toyota hybrid cars. Models from no earlier than 2014 were affected, with the fire recall only affecting plug-in models.
Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG: too fast in reverse
Some recalls are serious, some are just plain hilarious. The Mercedes G-Wagen feels a bit sketchy when you’re going fast in the right direction. The recall pertained to being able to go fast… in reverse. Just 20 G65 AMGs sold in North America were affected, given that they didn’t have software to limit reverse speed. All were amended before any Kardashians were harmed.
Mercedes Benz: starter motor fires
A massive one million Mercedes-Benz cars built between 2015 and 2017, including E-Classes, GLAs, GLCs and C-Classes, were recalled for fire risk a couple of years ago. Starter motors were prone to combusting, as repeated start-up attempts cause them to heat up. There were as many as 30 fires in the US alone, with 21 elsewhere around the globe. No fun for the three-pointed star…
Porsche 911 GT3: fire risk
Porsche had a bit of bother following the release of the 991-generation GT3, with its rev-happy 9,000rpm engine. The very thing that was receiving a lot of love began catching fire. Unlike with many recalls where there’s just a ‘risk’, there were, in fact, many examples of customer GT3s going up in flames. The situation was so severe, Porsche advised owners to not drive their cars until they could be recalled for a fix. Those owners included one Richard Hammond…
Porsche 918: fire risk, chassis problems and seatbelts
Further to our point back there about how money doesn’t buy perfection. Whether it’s the near £500,000 Ford GT, or the near £1,000,000 (when new) Porsche 918, no amount of money can buy absolute fire resistance. The worst thing is that the dodgy wiring harness that posed a fire risk was the second of three separate recalls. The others were chassis parts concerns and mixed-up screws for seatbelt mounts and seatbelt reel mounts.
VW group: emissions recalls
One of the most high-profile recalls in automotive history owes its fame to the most famous scandal: the infamous ‘Dieselgate’ of 2015. A fix was mandated by governments the world over to bring cars in line with quoted emissions figures, as achieved by test cars with ‘defeat devices’. Famously, there were questions as to whether owners would want to, given that power decreased in some cases. Likewise, monetary compensation was also an option for U.S. owners. The costs to VW for recalls, buybacks and fines are in the tens of billions.
Fiat-Chrysler: infotainment hack
Some recalls are dangerous. Some are funny. Some, like this, are just downright frightening. Fiat-Chrysler had to recall 1.4 million cars from the U.S market, over fears they could be hacked via the Uconnect infotainment system. This “would reduce the driver’s control of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash”. Science fiction-levels of scary stuff…
Ford: Door latch issues
Here’s a biggy: how about near-on 2.4 million Fords with door latches that don’t work? That was what the marque was facing in 2016, with affected models including 2013-2015 C-Max, Escape, 2015 Mustang, 2014-2016 Ford Transit, 2015 Lincoln MKC and the big-seller 2012-2015 Focus. The issue would prevent doors shutting properly and more dangerously, meant they could pop open at speed.
Toyota RAV4: seatbelt troubles
Around three million RAV4 models, including over 48,000 in the UK, were recalled by Toyota in 2016 given a risk that belts could be severed in an accident by seat cushion frames in the rear seats. Just two crashes in North America could have potentially been linked to the issue, but Toyota wasn’t going to take any risks. Better safe than sorry… This following Toyota’s 2014 ordeal recalling 6.5 million cars for seat and steering wheel issues.
Nissan/Infiniti: airbag sensor
In 2016, Nissan began a recall of 3.1 million US cars because of a problematic airbag sensor. No, this isn’t related to the Takata fiasco. The issue began back in 2013, but continued to persist beyond the initial 500,000-car recall. There were also steering wheel issues at the time, including for over 130,000 UK-based Nissan Micras.
General Motors: Airbag and seatbelt software
Turbulent times again in 2016, this time with General Motors. As you’ll see further down the list, GM has bad recall luck. This is small pickings by comparison, though, with just 3.6 million vehicles recalled due to an airbag and pretensioner software defect. Models including Chevrolet’s Corvette, Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado and SS were affected throughout the 2014-2017 model years, as well as many related vehicles from other GM-owned marques.
Toyota and Lexus: brake problems and fire risk
A collective ‘oh dear’ for Toyota. 2015 saw the marque pull 6.5 million cars because of potentially combustible power window switches – an issue that extends to as many as 14 million cars going further back. In 2014, it announced recalls of 1.67 million cars amid concerns over faulty brake and fuel components. In a separate issue, sister company Lexus announced a recall of 759,000 cars across the world after discovering a fault with the fuel pipes.
Mercedes C-Class: steering issue
A total of 8,145 Mercedes-Benz C-Classes were recalled in the UK in 2015. The issue – which affected cars built between January and September 2014 – surrounds a faulty steering system.
Aston Martin: accelerator pedal
Aston Martin recalled 17,590 cars due to a potential problem with the accelerator pedal back in 2014. You can’t escape a pursuing Jaguar if you can’t accelerate. 007 wouldn’t be impressed.
General Motors: ignition defect
It’s easy to pick recall fights with GM. If recalls were pimples, GM is a teenager’s face. So here’s one of the juiciest, and we’ll call it quits for generic GM recalls. 2014 was a terrible year for General Motors, with millions upon millions of cars recalled across the world. In total, more than 20 million vehicles were affected in 2014 alone, with a faulty ignition switch the chief headache for the beleaguered American giant.
Saab 9-3 Convertible: seatbelt retractor
Yes, this is still GM, but it’s interesting. Proving you don’t need to be active to be affected by a recall, General Motors recalled nearly 29,000 Saab 9-3 Convertibles in the US to replace a driver’s side seatbelt retractor.
Porsche Cayenne: loose headlights
In 2012, Porsche issued a recall for 2011-2012 Cayenne models amid fears “the headlamp may come loose” and detach from the bumper. Not ideal if you’re driving in the dark.
Toyota: defective pedals
In one of the most famous cases of all time, Toyota was forced into recalling millions of cars because of a faulty accelerator pedal and – later in 2010 – millions more because of slipping floor mats. To cap it all, thousands of Toyota hybrids were also recalled to rectify braking issues.
Mazda 6: Yellow Sac spiders
You couldn’t make it up – in 2014, Mazda had to recall 42,000 Mazda 6s because of the Yellow Sac spider. Apparently, the spider has a love of petrol (don’t we all) and became rather keen on weaving webs inside the Mazda engine. This would result in blockages and, in turn, an increased risk of a fire.
MINI: fire risk
In 2012, 235,000 MINI models needed rectifying because of a potential fire risk caused by defective electric water pumps. The recall affected the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models built between March 2006 and January 2011.
BMW 5 and 6 Series: fire risk
It seems incendiary risks are a common recall problem, with an incorrectly-fitted battery cable cover causing 109,000 BMW 5 and 6 Series models in the UK to receive attention. The recall affected 1.3 million cars across the world.
Volkswagen: gearbox and light fuses
In 2013, nearly 3 million VW owners were contacted over concerns surrounding gearboxes and light fuses. The recall – which extended to other brands within the Volkswagen Group – affected 60,000 cars in the UK.
Kia: faulty brake light switch
Kia may have the most comprehensive warranty package around, but that can’t guard against the dreaded recall. In 2013, Kia called in 25,000 cars in the UK for the replacement of a faulty brake light switch. The recall affected numerous models built between 2006 and 2011 and was part of a global recall involving 1.6 million Kia and Hyundai models.
Mercedes-Benz M-Class: floor mats
A small issue could have disastrous consequences, which is why Mercedes-Benz recalled 8,675 M-Class 4x4s in 2012 after someone discovered the floor mats could trap the accelerator pedal.
Smart Fortwo: risk of fire
In September 2014, certain Smart Fortwo models were recalled after it was discovered a short circuit in the electronic heater shut-off valve could result in a fire.
Honda Jazz: electrical faults
Honda’s unflinching reliability reputation took a knock in 2010 when 170,000 Honda Jazz cars in the UK were recalled over potential electrical faults.
Ferrari 458: fires and boot mechanism
In 2010, Ferrari issued a recall for the 458 Italia following a series of fires. The Italian manufacturer traced the problem to materials used in the construction of the wheel arch lining and heat shield and called owners back for remedial work. Later, in 2014, the 458 Italia and Spider were involved in a second recall amid fears someone could get stuck in the boot of the car. No, really.
Ford: cruise control switches
One of the biggest comes to us from the 90s and early 2000s. Near-on 15 million Fords, mostly US-sold, from the 90s and early 2000s, had to be recalled for a faulty cruise control switches that could catch fire. There can be warnings in the form of electrical gremlins, but it can occur even when vehicles are off. In spite of Ford’s advice to ‘not park near garages or homes’, several building fires have been directly linked.
Vauxhall: loose front seats
More GM, but this one is curious, not least because it involves the old Tigra. Back in 2001, Vauxhall recalled half a million Tigra and Corsa models after discovering weak seat rails could result in the front seats becoming loose in an accident.
Ford Pinto: risk of fire
We end with a recall that didn’t affect the UK, but is perhaps the most famous case in the world. It surrounds the Ford Pinto of the 1970s and the placement of the fuel tank. By positioning it behind the rear axle and with a fuel-filler pipe that would explode in a rear-end collision, the consequences were horrific.
Forget weekends in Marbs, stretched limos and spa weekends, brides-to-be are turning to supercar experience days for their hen parties. That’s according to new research conducted by TrackDays.co.uk.
The company says that such days were previously favoured by men on stag dos, but it has seen a 65 percent increase in bookings for hen parties over the last year. And although the firm offers a variety of experiences, most brides-to-be favour the thrill of a supercar.
Drive a supercar and you will save the £75 cost of alcohol, although you might want to splash out on some champers for the post-track-day podium experience.
We had a look on the TrackDays.co.uk website and discovered prices ranging from £49 for a ‘Supercar Driving Blast’ to £895 for a ‘Supercar Supreme’ experience at a UK circuit. You get to drive three laps in a range of supercars and sports cars, which sounds more exciting than falling over in Ibiza and landing on a blow-up doll.
‘A huge surge’
Imran Malek, operations manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: “Supercar driving experiences are becoming increasingly popular with hens looking for adrenalin-fuelled action in cars that can reach 200mph or more.
“We’ve seen a huge surge over the last year especially in hen party bookings and we now receive as many as we do for stag parties, which we always received more of in the past.”
If supercars aren’t your thing, other four-wheeled ideas include tractor or quad bike driving, off-roading or an afternoon tea on a double-decker bus. Alternatively, you could stay at home with a good book.
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart is urging motorists not to panic if they’re driving in front of, or even behind, a large lorry.
Richard Gladman, head of riding and driving standards at IAM RoadSmart, has come up with seven tips designed to make it easier for drivers who are daunted by the sight of an HGV on the road.
“As any HGV driver will tell you, they sometimes need a bit of extra space to move down the road. Visibility can be restricted, and no amount of mirrors will allow all of the blind spots to be monitored all of the time,” he said.
“By applying some simple rules and sharing the road space, we can make life easier for all of us. On a roundabout they will need more than one lane so let them have it; a few seconds delay will be worth it if you prevent a crash. Walk that mile in the other man’s shoes and understand what we may need.”
His seven top tips are as follows:
If you see a lorry wearing foreign number plates, remember that the driver is probably sitting on the left of the vehicle. With this in mind, take care when passing and allow more space if you can.
An HGV driver could have up to five mirrors at their disposal, but they can only look at one at a time. Hold back until you are visible in their mirrors.
Identify when there is a likelihood of the HGV changing lanes, for example at a slip road or when they are approaching another slow-moving HGV. Hang back and allow them to pull into their desired lane.
To minimise the effects of heavy spray, maintain a safe distance between you and the lorry. The Highway Code suggests leaving a gap of at least four seconds in the rain.
An articulated lorry will track sideways on a right-hand bend on the motorway and on a roundabout, so avoid being beside it.
If you encounter queuing traffic and there’s a lorry behind you, tap your brake lights early to warn the driver that you’re about to slow down.
If an HGV wishes to return to the inside lane, give them a hand by slowing down and letting them in. A courtesy flash of the headlights could be used to indicate that they’re clear of your vehicle.
While the 
Owners of Ford and Lincolns in a number of American cities will no longer need to worry about waiting around to accept delivery of bulky Amazon packages.
In order to use the Key In-Car service, owners will need either a 2017 or later model year Ford, or 2018 and later model year Lincoln, equipped with FordPass or Lincoln Connect.
Amazon will send notifications leading up to the delivery, and owners must park their vehicles within two blocks of their listed delivery address.
Ford’s is the latest manufacturer to team up with Amazon for Key In-Car delivery.
