The police and other emergency services can now place orders for the Skoda Scala hatchback.
The Scala is the latest model to join Skoda’s ‘blue-light line-up’. The larger Octavia, along with the Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs, feature prominently in existing emergency fleets.
The fully-converted Scala comes with a range of gear that readies it for service. LED signal lights let everyone know the Skoda is in pursuit, as does a 100-amp three-tone siren.
Built-in active safety features such as blind-spot detection, side assist, front assist and lane assist all lend themselves to work with the services. A spacious cabin and 467-litre boot help, too.
The Scala went on sale earlier this year as a rival to the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Kia Ceed.
“Our partnership with emergency services teams stretches back over a century,” said Henry Williams, head of fleet at Skoda.
“It’s that extensive knowledge in the sector that makes Skoda a reliable partner for both technologically advanced cars and value for money, and Scala, our most connected car to date, more than fits the bill.”
Peugeot has prepared its 3008 crossover for wilderness adventures.
The car started life as a 1.6-litre PureTech GT Line, not unlike one you might see outside a school at closing time. This one-off, however, had bigger plans.
So what’s different about this special 3008? Quite a bit. Cooper AT3 off-road tyres wrap the 17-inch steel wheels, while the underbody is protected by skid plates.
There’s also a massive LED light bar mounted atop a stout alloy roof rack. And the 3008 is a camper of sorts, thanks to the addition of a retractable ARB Simpson roof tent.
Out back, there’s a bike rack and bike for when the trails get too tough even for this pumped-up Pug.
Although the incongruity of a 3008 getting this treatment is interesting, it pays to remember that Peugeot is no stranger to extreme off-roading, with its history of Dakar Rally machines.
The 3008 truck was created specifically for a Top Gear magazine feature and successfully tackled part of the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam.
“This one-off model exemplifies the practicality and off-road ability of our best-selling SUV,” said David Peel, MD of Peugeot UK.
“With relatively minor modifications, the 3008 has tackled some tough terrain, proving the effectiveness of its Advanced Grip Control technology and demonstrating its true outdoor potential.”
The Dacia Duster has earned praise from Good Housekeeping magazine, winning the Reader Recommended award.
There are four areas assessed by the panel at the Good Housekeeping Institute: performance/enjoyment, overall acceptability, whether they’d purchase again, and whether they’d recommend a product to friends and family.
An impressive 92 percent of Duster owners would happily recommend the car to people they know. Also, 85 percent said the Duster was good value for money, with an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10.
The Duster is ‘far better for the money’ than ‘more expensive competitors’, says Good Housekeeping, and beats them ‘hands down’.
It also ‘looks stylish, has innovative technology and a quality interior and exterior’.
The Duster seems to punch above its weight in terms of perceived quality, equipment and style, reckons the expert panel, perhaps proving that saving doesn’t necessarily mean sacrifice.
“We’re hugely excited by the positive response and feedback that owners have for the Duster and delighted that the car has received a Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended stamp of approval,” said Ben Fletcher, head of Dacia UK.
Around 43,000 car insurance claims are turned down every year, leaving motorists out of luck and out of pocket.
Conversely, insurers pay out just under £22 million for private car insurance claims every day, which equates to just under £3,000 per claim.
If you want to avoid being one of the two percent of motorists who have their car insurance claim rejected, take a look at these five ways to ensure a claim doesn’t get turned down.
Buy the right policy
Not having the right cover in place is one of the most common reasons why car insurance claims are turned down. Don’t just buy on price – make sure you consider all your needs. For example, if you drive to work, make sure the policy includes commuting.
The claim value being below the policy excess is another reason why claims are rejected. Be sure to check your voluntary and complusory excesses before arranging cover.
Read the small print
It’s always tempting not to read the small print, but you could be missing out on what isn’t covered by the policy. The policy document will outline any procedures you need to follow, such as notifying the insurer if you change your job or move house.
Modifying your vehicle could invalidate the policy, so notify your insurer if you fit a towbar. Similarly, if you exceed your agreed annual mileage, you’re at risk of having your car insurance claim rejected.
Secure and maintain your car
Insurers expect drivers to take steps to prevent accidents, theft, loss or damage. A theft claim will be rejected if the key has been left in the ignition or the driver is found to have been under the influence of drink or drugs.
A car insurance policy is invalid without a current MOT certificate unless the vehicle has been declared SORN and the policyholder has arranged laid-up cover.
Act quickly and follow the procedures
In the event of a claim, follow the procedure outlined in the policy document and report losses promptly. The insurance company will guide you through the claims process and deal with a third party on your behalf.
Be sure to write down anything relating to an accident; dashcam footage and photographic evidence can be extremely useful in the event of a claim.
Be honest if you want a successful car insurance claim
Don’t bend the truth when arranging cover or making a claim. Providing incorrect information or omitting details could invalidate your insurance, as could exaggerating the value of a claim.
If an insurance company finds that you have been dishonest, they are entitled to decline the entire claim.
‘Insurance is complex’
Matt Oliver from GoCompare, the company behind the car insurance advice, said: “Insurance is complex, but when applying for cover, it’s essential to be honest, and take the time to read through the policy details to make sure it covers everything you need and has excess levels you can afford.
“The information you give when applying for insurance is used to determine the cost of cover, so omitting information or bending the truth to get a cheaper deal could land you in trouble if you need to make a claim.”
Audi’s e-tron Scooter concept is part e-scooter, part skateboard and 100 percent electric, and it’s coming to a street near you in 2020.
Designed to be transported by car, bus or train, the e-tron Scooter weighs 12kg and its handling is “like surfing waves”, says Audi. Makes a change from Mini’s claims about ‘go-kart’ handling…
Interestingly, Audi says that the electric scooter could be offered to customers who buy regular e-tron models, with charging possible via a dedicated socket in the boot. It’s a like a modern-day equivalent of the Honda City/Motocompo partnership.
‘On the move in cities’
“With the Audi e-tron Scooter, we appeal to customers who are on the move in cities, sustainably and multi-modally – and for whom style and functionality are important,” said Thorsten Schrader, project manager for micro-mobility at Audi.
“Although riders keep one hand on the handlebar, they control the scooter like a skateboard with their feet by shifting their weight. The movable axles with four wheels allow unusually tight curves. Of course the e-tron Scooter also moves straight ahead. But the feeling of flow only comes when you start carving on asphalt – and that is surprisingly easy with our new concept.”
The e-tron Scooter features a display showing the battery status, with riders accelerating and braking by means of a shift grip. A range of 12.5 miles is achieved through recuperation when the electric scooter brakes, which should be enough for the morning commute or the trip to the station.
With one hand free the rider is able to look around and give hand signals, which could come in handy as more of these urban mobility solutions hit the streets.
Top speed is 12.5mph – possibly more if you’re brave enough going downhill – while the headlight, daytime running light, rear light and brake light are all LED. The deck can be configured in wood or carbon.
Production and sales are scheduled for late 2020, with a price tag likely to be in the region of €2,000 (£1,845). Form an orderly queue.
Car leasing – or Personal Contract Hire (PCH) – is a cost-effective alternative to a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) deal.
It works in a similar way to a business car lease, with motorists paying an initial rental cost and then a flat monthly fee. In the case of personal car leasing deals, VAT is included in the price, and at the end of the contract you simply hand the car back.
Here, we reveal 20 car leasing deals that have caught our eye. All images are for illustrative purposes and the deals are correct at the time of writing (5 August 2019).
Ford Fiesta – £152.98 a month
There are plenty of good leasing deals available on Britain’s most popular new car. All Car Leasing is offering the Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium X for £145.04 a month after an initial rental of £1,305.40. This is based on a 48-month contract and 5,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Peugeot 3008 – £238.74 a month
Sticking with All Car Leasing, the Peugeot 3008 1.5 BlueHDi Allure is available for £238.74 after a £2,148.66 initial rental. This is based on a 36-month contract and 8,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Vauxhall Astra – £126.26 a month
A revised Vauxhall Astra is on the way, which means the outgoing version is available with some tempting lease deals. Leasing.com is offering the 1.6-litre petrol Elite Nav for £126.26 a month after an initial payment of £1,331.34. This is based on 24-month contract and 5,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Mazda MX-5 – £178.79 a month
Fancy seeing out the summer in a sports car? Hippo Leasing is offering the Mazda MX-5 1.5 SE for £178.79 a month over four years. This is after an initial payment of £1,609.09, with the mileage restricted to 5,000 a year.
Find out more about this deal
Renault Kadjar – £201.45 a month
The Nissan Qashqai might be the country’s most popular crossover, but the platform-sharing Renault Kadjar is arguably the better car. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is offering a Kadjar in GT Line spec for £201.45 a month after an initial rental of £1,208.70. This is based on a 48-month contract and 8,000 miles a year, although other options are available.
This is true of all the deals featured here – the leasing companies offer flexible mileage restrictions and contracts. The BMW 3 Series is a popular choice for business users, but Select Car Leasing is offering the 320i M Sport to personal customers for £304.79 a month. You’ll pay an initial £2,743.09 and be restricted to 5,000 miles a year over three years.
Moving up a segment, the Jaguar XF is available for less than the BMW 3 Series. You’ll pay £257.23 a month via All Car Leasing after an initial rental of £2,315.09. This is based on a 24-month contract and 5,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Seat Leon – £185.98 a month
The ‘Spanish Golf’ is available for £185.98 a month after an initial rental of £1,115.86. The deal is based on the Seat Leon 2.0 TDI FR on a 36-month contract, with First Vehicle Leasing restricting you to 8,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Vauxhall Corsa – £138.06 a month
There’s a new Vauxhall Corsa on the way, which means the outgoing version is ‘going cheap’. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is offering the well-equipped 1.4 SRi VX-Line Nav for £138.06 after an initial rental of £828.36. This is based on 48 months and 5,000 miles a year.
Fancy leasing one of the most-wanted cars on the market? Select Car Leasing is offering the Tesla Model 3 for £361.19 a month after a relatively hefty £3,250.60 initial fee. This is based on a 24-month contract and just 5,000 miles a year.
If you haven’t fallen for the charms of an SUV, the Skoda Octavia estate makes a great deal of sense, especially in vRS guise. All Car Leasing is offering the 2.0-litre TSI 245 for £227.81 a month after a £2,050.27 initial rental. This is based on 48 months and 8,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Fiat 500 – £117.68 a month
Nationwide Vehicle Leasing is one of a number of companies offering the Fiat 500 for a tempting price. The 1.2 S can be yours for £117.68 a month for four years after an initial rental of £706.08. The 5,000 miles a year restriction might be enough, but it can be increased in exchange for a higher monthly payment.
There’s still time to get your hands on the current Volkswagen Golf GTI. Select Car Leasing is offering the GTI Performance for £253.19 a month on a two-year contract. You’ll pay an initial £2,278.69, although you might find the 5,000 miles cap a little too restrictive.
Find out more about this deal
Volkswagen Golf R – £297.59 a month
You could have a similar problem with this deal, but a Volkswagen Golf R for less than £300 a month will be a tempting proposition for many motorists. The initial fee is £2,678.29, with the All Car Leasing contract lasting 36 months.
Find out more about this deal
Toyota Corolla – £207.22 a month
The Corolla is back in Britain, and you can lease one for £207.22 a month. The Hippo Leasing deal is based on the 1.8 hybrid in Icon trim and follows an upfront payment of £1,864.95. The 48-month contract limits you to 10,000 miles a year.
Find out more about this deal
Volkswagen Polo – £166.04 a month
Select Car Leasing is offering the Volkswagen Polo 1.0 Evo 80 Beats for £166.04 a month after an initial payment of £1,494.40. The 8,000 miles a year limit doesn’t sound too restrictive, but you’ll be tied into a four-year contract.
Leasing.com is offering a big car for not an awful lot of money. The Volvo S90 2.0-litre T4 Momentum is available for £225.36 a month after an initial payment of £2,388.24. The 5,000 miles a year limit is a bit miserly for a car of this size, especially over a four-year contract.
Find out more about this deal
Dacia Logan MCV – £155.99 a month
Britain’s cheapest estate car is available for £155.99 a month via First Vehicle Leasing. The deal is based on the Dacia Logan MCV in Comfort trim, with only £935.93 to pay upfront. This price is based on 5,000 miles a year and a three-year contract.
Find out more about this deal
Citroen C4 SpaceTourer – £55.19 a month
This is only a short-term deal, but just look at the monthly payment. National Vehicle Solutions is offering a Citroen C4 SpaceTourer 1.2 PureTech Flair for £55.19 a month after an £1,800 initial rental. The 10,000 miles per year restriction is far from unreasonable.
Find out more about this deal
Jaguar I-Pace – £460.24 a month
The current World Car of the Year is one of the must-have electric cars right now, but leasing isn’t a cheap option. That said, £460.24 a month for the Jaguar I-Pace EV400 S puts it on a par with more conventional premium motors, as does the £4,142.12 initial fee. The Select Car Leasing deal is based on a three-year contract and 5,000 miles a year.
With the start of Monterey Car Week less than a fortnight away, now is the time to start thinking about what vehicle to turn up in.
Many big auction houses will be holding sales at Monterey, that won’t be much use if you actually need a new ride to arrive in.
Fortunately, auction website Bring a Trailer has a number of sales finishing before the start of Monterey Car Week, including this modified (and supercharged) 1998 Acura NSX-T.
Helpfully, this Berlina Black NSX-T is located in Sacramento, California, placing it just a few hours away from the center of Car Week festivities.
As an NSX-T, it features the removable targa roof panels, offering up open-air motoring in this mid-engined sports car. The tradeoff for the removable roof was a loss of chassis rigidity, and additional weight from the extra bracing required.
Retro road test: Honda NSX
The seller notes that the paintwork does have some minor cosmetic flaws, and that the hood was repainted by the previous owner. Having covered 63,000 miles, this NSX has clearly been driven and enjoyed.
Owned by the seller since December 2003, some 23,000 miles have been added during their tenureship of the NSX-T. The seller is also responsible for adding the Comptech supercharger.
The standard ‘98 NSX-T was fitted with a 3.2-liter V-6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Adding forced induction, along with a Comptech exhaust system and manifold headers has resulted in a substantial boost.
Power now peaks at 385 horsepower, with torque at 274 lb-ft. Dyno printouts have been supplied to confirm the output, whilst commenters on Bring a Trailer have also endorsed the Comptech supercharger setup.
A six-speed manual transmission handles the extra power, with an uprated DC Sport clutch also fitted. Driving Ambition, a noted Californian NSX specialist shop, completed a replacement of the timing belt amongst other maintenance work in 2011.
Last serviced six months ago, this NSX-T is also compliant with California’s requirements on emissions testing. A new owner should seemingly have no worries about driving it down to Monterey.
Bilstein shock absorbers with modified toe links have been fitted. A set of 17-inch alloy wheels from the later facelifted NSX are also present, along with spacers. The seller notes that this has caused rubbing on the front wheel wells, but that the original rims are included.
Black leather can be found throughout the interior, adding a luxurious feel in keeping with the upmarket image the Acura badge is intended to portray.
Standard equipment includes automatic climate control and cruise control. Unlike earlier models with the manual transmission, this NSX-T benefits from power steering.
A Pioneer touchscreen stereo system has also been added by current owner. This features satellite navigation, meaning there should be no issues on locating Car Week meetups.
Originally registered in Texas, followed by Pennsylvania, the NSX-T now comes complete with a clean California title. It is also current wearing a NSX-related license plate for good measure.
Although the car was reported stolen in May 2003, an inspection recorded “no or little damage” when recovered.
The combination of mileage, and the boosted performance from the supercharger, mean a new owner could potentially enjoy thousands more miles cruising beneath the California sun. Bidding ends on Friday August 9, giving the new owner a week to prepare for Monterey 2019.
The UK’s largest independent road safety charity has welcomed the planned new tougher seatbelt laws.
IAM RoadSmart says “it’s the most obvious and direct way of saving lives in road crashes”, referencing the fact that in 2017, 27 percent of car deaths involved people who were not wearing a seatbelt.
The Road Safety Statement 2019 acknowledges that while “the vast majority of drivers on our roads drive safely and stay within the law… there is constant potential for good behaviour to degrade, especially as constraints become familiar and distractions increase”.
The government is considering launching a consultation about imposing penalty points for driving without a seatbelt and not just a £100 fine.
It wants to “work with road safety groups to understand who are the car occupants that are not wearing seatbelt.”
‘A quick win’
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, said: “This is very welcome news. The best way of tackling this ever-present issue is to make people believe there is a high chance of being caught. This could start tomorrow if consistent guidelines on using mobile speed camera vans to enforce seatbelt laws were issued.
“Currently there is no standard approach on using this high-profile resource across the UK. Making non-wearing of seatbelts an endorsable offence is also a quick win.
“Not only would it persuade more people to take the offence seriously, but it might benefit them to take a seatbelt awareness course. People avoid using seatbelts for a wide range of individual reasons and these views need to be challenged face-to-face.”
In 2018, a Freedom of Information request to 44 police forces found that 16 forces recorded more than 8,000 unbelted drivers between them. This suggests there is still work to be done.
‘Simplest way of protecting themselves’
Road safety minister Michael Ellis said: “Far too many people are not wearing a seatbelt while traveling in a car, needlessly putting their lives at risk.
“Increasing penalties for people who disregard the simplest of way of protecting themselves is just one of a long list of actions this government is taking to help keep people safe on our roads.”
Arranging car insurance excess cover at the rental desk is an expensive business. It’s also a needless expense, as highlighted by one new car hire excess insurance policy.
Launched by RAC Insurance, the cover provides excess protection of up to £6,000, plus protection against fire, theft and vandalism. It costs £42.99 for an annual policy, or £2.99 a day.
Holidaymakers face excesses of between £500 and £2,000 in the event of an accident. The excess is pre-authorised on a credit card for the duration of the hire period.
Excess insurance can be purchased at the car rental desk, but comes at a cost.
This leaves customers with one of two options: take a financial hit by taking out the excess policy or risk not doing so in the hope that nothing happens to the vehicle during the loan.
‘Not enough people realise this is an option’
Arranging car hire excess insurance BEFORE you travel is a cheaper option, with RAC Insurance the latest provider to offer cover. Marcus Latchford, RAC head of insurance, said: “The trouble is not enough people realise this is an option, so they end up losing out financially by buying expensive hire car excess insurance policies, often with a lower level of cover or, worse still, having to pay the excess.
“We need to make more people aware that very affordable UK alternatives exist, so it becomes second nature to take out a policy before travelling. This is why we decided to enter the market as we believe a hire car excess policy with the RAC’s name on it will give people some much-needed peace of mind when renting vehicles.”
RAC policy: the details
Excess protection: up to £6,000
Protection against: fire, theft and vandalism
Cover for bodywork, tyres, roof, windscreen and undercarriage
Cover for towing, breakdown and mis-fuelling excess costs
Up to 65 days’ continuous cover on any one rental agreement
Option to book daily single trip and annual policies up to 180 days in advance
Cover for up to nine additional drivers as standard
Car hire excess insurance isn’t new; RAC is just the latest company to offer protection.
Other policies are available online: simply search for ‘car hire excess insurance‘ and select the cover that’s right for you.
Registrations of battery-powered electric cars almost tripled during July, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), to take a record 1.4 percent market share. Sales grew from just 880 cars in 2018, to almost 2,300 in 2019 – a 158 percent increase.
Disappointingly, though, positive news for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) was offset by a huge decline in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales: they almost halved, from 3,503 down to 1,764.
Diesel also suffered yet another pronounced fall, plunging 22.1 percent in a year – this is the 28th month of diesel decline. Diesel now has a market share of less than 26 percent; petrol, by contrast, now comprises two in three new car sales.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “Despite yet another month of decline in the new car market, it’s encouraging to see substantial growth in zero-emission vehicles.
“Thanks to manufacturers’ investment in these new technologies over many years, these cars are coming to market in greater numbers than ever before.”
Hawes added that the government must now introduce more long-term incentives and invest in infrastructure, if it is to meet its environmental ambitions.
“The fastest way to address air quality concerns is through fleet renewal, so buyers need to be given the confidence to invest in the new, cleaner vehicles that best suit their driving needs, regardless of how they are powered.
Best-selling cars: July 2019
The Ford Fiesta was the best-selling car in July 2019, beating the Volkswagen Golf and, in a fillip for the under-pressure brand, the Nissan Qashqai.
The Ford Focus just beat the Mercedes-Benz A-Class into fourth place, and the arrival of an all-new Vauxhall Corsa hasn’t stopped the current model from taking sixth place, well ahead of the Volkswagen Polo.
The Fiesta and Focus remain 1-2 in the year-to-date sales chart, although the Golf is edging closer in third place. The Qashqai and Corsa round out the top five.
SMMT figures also revealed SUVs now comprise 1 in 4 new car registrations – and, although superminis remain Britain’s favourite type of new car, the sector was down 12.1 percent in July.
With the start of Monterey Car Week less than a fortnight away, now is the time to start thinking about what vehicle to turn up in. 
Helpfully, this 
Owned by the seller since December 2003, some 23,000 miles have been added during their tenureship of the NSX-T. The seller is also responsible for adding the Comptech supercharger. 
Originally registered in Texas, followed by Pennsylvania, the NSX-T now comes complete with a clean California title. It is also current wearing a NSX-related license plate for good measure.
