The new 2020 Corvette will feature Chevrolet’s Teen Driver mode, which enables parents to educate and coach young drivers on the importance of road safety. The tech is far from crazy, but the fact that teenagers might be driving a mid-engined supercar is a little bizarre. Which is why we’ve decided to create a list of crazy car options and accessories.

Overfinch Range Rover Holland & Holland

Who can forget the Holland & Holland Range Rover by Overfinch? Opulent in the extreme, it is perhaps best known for its drinks cabinet, refilled by Holland & Holland. Well, for the first year, anyway. Hyundai tried a similar partnership with Holland & Barrett. Probably.

Dynamic Volkswagen Hub Caps

Would you spend £156 on a set of four Dynamic Volkswagen Hub Caps? Volkswagen says these add a “touch of the super-luxury segment” to the mainstream, with self-levelling wheel centres inspired by Rolls-Royce and Bentley. “If you just want to quell the niggling irritation of badges pointing in different directions”, these are for you. For all other irritations, ask your pharmacist.

Kia Soul speaker lights

The Kia Soul speakers were a bit more down to earth, featuring LEDs lights that flashed in time with your funky beats. The speakers also featured ‘mood lighting’ to suit your state of mind.

Vauxhall Adam starlight roof lining

Anything Rolls-Royce can do, Vauxhall can do, but for a little less cash. Fancy adding a touch of opulent glamour to your Vauxhall Adam? Then tick the box marked ’starlight roof trim’. Just don’t go promising your other half a night under the stars, because she might be a tad disappointed.

Honda CR-V shower

The original Honda CR-V featured a cold water shower in the boot. What a great idea – a common sense feature, perfect for washing dirty dogs, bikes and shoes. Not so good for taking a shower in your local car park.

Honda Element Dog Friendly Package

The Honda Element was a funky SUV with more than a passing resemblance to the Skoda Yeti. Not that Skoda ever offered a ‘Dog Friendly Package’ in the Yeti. More’s the pity.

In-car coffee machine

Say goodbye to overpriced takeaway coffees forever, with the Seat coffee machine. It’s like having your own personal barista in the car. Only you have to do all the work. So it’s nothing like a barista at all.

Skoda Superb umbrella

Another case of anything Rolls-Royce can do… the Skoda Superb does a brilliant impression of a luxury car costing many times more than its purchase price, right down to the minor details, like the umbrella tucked away in one of the rear doors.

Rolls-Royce Conway Stewart pen set

In 2005, Rolls-Royce commissioned Conway Stewart to produce a limited number of pen sets to mark the 80th anniversary of the Phantom. A mere 25 Phantoms were treated to the special set within the glovebox, with the remaining cars getting a couple of blue Biros instead. Ahem.

Rolls-Royce cigar humidor

You know you’ve made it in life when your Rolls-Royce Phantom features a cigar humidor in the glovebox. We haven’t seen that on the option lists of the Skoda Superb or Vauxhall Adam…

Audi Q3 camping tent

Yes, that is an Audi Q3 giving birth to a camping tent. Looks painful, but rather that than the kayak on the roof. Or is it a canoe? Whatever, the Pontiac Aztek got there first.

Peugeot 207 perfume diffuser

The Peugeot 207 is getting a bit long in the tooth these days, so there’s a good chance the interior will be a tad smelly. Think old socks, body odour, leftover takeaways and wet dogs. Fortunately, some cars were fitted with a perfume diffuser. You might just need it.

Volkswagen Beetle flower

Ah, the irony. The Volkswagen Beetle and the flower, two symbols of the Swinging Sixties and ‘flower power’. But wait, what’s that on the radio? Ah, BBC Radio 2. Well, we all have to wear our sensible shoes at some point.

Skoda ice scraper

The only thing crazy about Skoda’s decision to put an ice scraper inside the fuel filler cap of its cars is why nobody had thought of it before.

Mini Driving Excitement Analyser

The Mini Driving Excitement Analyser – “on hand to highlight just how skilfully and safely drivers are exploiting the potential of their new Mini”. Apparently you can earn Experience Points for sporty but safe driving. OK then…

Nissan X-Trail safari lights

Safari lights: perfect for the mean streets of Surbiton and the wilds of the Morrisons car park. But we shouldn’t mock; whack these bad boys on main beam and Mr LED daytime runnings lights is going to think twice about blinding you next time he sees you. Or perhaps, doesn’t see you…

Aston Martin tyre cushions

No, we’re not making this up, you can actually order tyre cushions for your Aston Martin. They help to reduce flat spots when parking and can be yours for ‘just’ £700. The alternative is to use your car more often.

Ford Door Edge Protector

There’s nothing crazy about this, because Ford’s Door Edge Protector system does exactly what it says in the brochure. Just don’t think it gives you an excuse to ram your car door into the side of ours. Thank you.

Volvo Animal Detection

Volvo’s Animal Detection system was tested in Sweden before being rolled out as part of the City Safety technology. The alternative would be to carry Sir David Attenborough around with you.

Citroen C4 Cactus Airbumps

The magnificently-named Airbumps are found on the old Citroen C4 Cactus. The air capsules absorb small bumps and are also said to offer better resistance to scratches. Which is fine, but we just love them because they look funky. It’s a shame Citroen decided to reduce their size for the facelift.

Mini Openometer

The Mini ‘Openometer’ records the amount of time you have spent driving with the roof down. Which, in the case of most Brits, is hardly ever.

The in-car record player

If you thought smartphones were a distraction behind the wheel, imagine trying to change a record while on the move. The technology was short-lived, knocked into touch by the birth of the eight-track player and common sense.

Bentley Bentayga Mulliner Tourbillon by Breitling clock

Life is all about choices. Right now, the average house price in the North West of England is £160,000. For a similar amount of money, you could opt for the Mulliner Tourbillon by Breitling clock. It’s all about Cheshire, innit?

Renault Modus boot chute

Clearly inspired by the original Mini, the Renault Modus featured a flap in the lower half of the tailgate to provide easy access to the boot. The so-called ‘boot chute’ was one of the many reasons why the Modus doesn’t get the respect it deserves.

Vauxhall bike carrier

Vauxhall’s patented FlexFix bike carrier is integrated in the bumper so that it’s not in the way when not in use. Optional when new, we wonder who many Vauxhall used car buyers are unaware that their car features this nifty solution.

Bentley Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner

What do you buy the fly-fisher who has it all? The Bentley Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner and a copy of Fly Fishing by J.R. Hartley, of course.

Honda City / Motocompo

The Honda City could be optioned with a 50cc foldaway scooter called the Motocompo. Name a better automotive partnership. We’ll wait.

Volvo heartbeat sensor

Volvo’s Personal Car Communicator featured a heartbeat sensor that used the key fob to alert owners if somebody was lurking in the rear seat. The tech was short-lived. “Almost no one was using the intruder query function,” said Dan Johnston of Volvo Cars North America.

Nissan Cube shag patch

You’re looking at the inside of a Nissan Cube with a ‘shag dash topper’. Watch out for carpet burns.

You’re more likely to break down on the M1 than any other major road in England.

That’s according to the results of a Freedom of Information request sent to Highways England. With 32,152 breakdowns in the past 12 months, the motorway is a cauldron of trouble for the nation’s motorists.

Overall, Highways England has responded to nearly 800,000 incidents on the strategic road network since 2014, with the M1 accounting for 140,000 incidents.

This isn’t entirely surprising, given that the M1 is one of the country’s busiest motorways. A massive 184,000 vehicles use the stretch between Redbourn and Hemel Hempstead alone.

The M1 also stretches 200 miles from London to Hook Moor near Leeds, so there are plenty of opportunities for motorists to run into trouble.

As Highways England points out, the frequency of breakdowns is linked to the length of motorway and traffic flow. Which is why the M25 and M6 are the other breakdown hotspots.

Big problems caused by simple issues

Research shows that HALF of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems, while a QUARTER are caused by tyre problems. Highways England has the following advice for drivers hoping to avoid adding to the breakdown statistics.

• Tyres: check the pressures and the condition of your rubber, while making sure the tyres have the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm
• Engine oil: use the dipstick to check the oil regularly and before a long journey
• Washers: always keep your screenwash topped up
• Lights: check your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, foglights, reversing lights and brake lights
• Fuel: refuel BEFORE you enter the motorway

Top 15 breakdown locations in England

Norton Canes on the M6 Toll has been named England’s best motorway services for the second year running.

Meanwhile, Westmorland is the best operator, achieving a 97 percent customer satisfaction score across its four sites in Gloucestershire and Cumbria.

Norton Canes is one of six motorway services to receive a near-perfect 99 percent satisfaction report, the others being Heston westbound (M4), Gloucester southbound (M5), Stafford northbound (M6), South Mimms (M25) and Winchester northbound (M3).

At the opposite end of the table, the ageing Severn View on the M48 is named England’s worst motorway services, behind Burtonwood (M62), Cullompton (M5), Frankley southbound (M5) and Charnock Richard southbound (M6).

‘An important safety role’

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, the independent watchdog behind the survey, said: “Motorway users tell us they have a good experience when visiting service areas, but it’s clear that many do not feel the experience is good value for money. They want pleasant, well-maintained facilities with good quality food choices.

“Motorway services continue to play an important safety role providing drivers with the opportunity to take a break. Drivers in the survey confirm they feel less stressed and are more alert after stopping at motorway services.”

The survey asked 11,600 customers about their experience at 111 service areas in England, with visitors voicing their opinions on facilities such as toilets, staffing, food and drink.

Unsurprisingly, just 59 percent of visitors felt that the food and drink they ordered on the motorway represented good value for money. 

A recent survey revealed that service areas are charging up to 37 pence more for a litre of fuel than filling stations located just off the motorway.

More positive is the news that 89 percent of visitors were pleased with the cleanliness of the toilets, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff was rated good by 97 percent of motorists.

The top 10 best motorway services in England

1. Norton Canes (M6 Toll)
2. Heston westbound (M4)
3. Gloucester southbound (M5)
4. Stafford northbound (M6)
5. South Mimms (M25)
6. Winchester northbound (M3)
7. Gloucester northbound (M5)
8. Stafford southbound (M6)
9. Tibshelf northbound (M1)
10. Hilton Park southbound (M6)

The 10 worst motorway services in England

1. Severn View (M48)
2. Burtonwood (M62)
3. Cullompton (M5)
4. Frankley southbound (M5)
5. Charnock Richard southbound (M6)
6. Charnock Richard northbound (M6)
7. Blyth (A1 M)
8. Membury eastbound (M4)
9. Southwaite northbound (M6)
10. Sandbach northbound (M6)

A shocking 41 percent of young drivers admit to accidentally hitting a car and driving away without telling the driver.

That’s according to a study conducted by Custom Accessories Europe (CAE), an official licensee of Michelin.

The survey of 2,136 car owners found that drivers aged 17 to 24 are the worst offenders, with 24 percent of male drivers within this group admitting to ‘scraping and scarpering’. 

More than half (55 percent) of UK motorists have had their car damaged by an anonymous driver, with supermarket car parks the most likely place for a ‘crash and dash’.

Public car parks (19 percent) and busy streets (14 percent) are other locations to avoid if you value a pristine body.

At best, the innocent motorist could be left with a bill for paint or bodywork repairs, but in more severe cases it could result in an insurance claim, risking the loss of a no-claims bonus.

The majority of ‘crashers and dashers’ live in Birmingham (27 percent), followed by Bristol (26 percent), London (26 percent), Nottingham (23 percent) and Manchester (23 percent).

Bump and grind

Unusually for a survey of this kind, Michelin hasn’t provided an expert quote, but it is trying to sell us a product.

Its new parking protectors are designed to protect a car’s bodywork from knocks and scratches. 

Michelin claims that they’re “unobtrusive”, but while they’re certainly preferable to a car park scrape, they’re not exactly attractive. 

Still, Citroen’s Airbump technology proved to be a little divisive, which is why the thermoplastic polyurethane panels were toned down for the facelift.

Mind you, French motorists have been using cars as bumpers for decades.

Monterey Car Week is fast approaching, with the major auction houses getting their final lot lists ready for the block.

Mecum Auction’s Monterey sale is already packed with exotic and interesting metal, including a selection of special Porsche models.

More than 35 prime Stuttgart products are due for sale, and we have picked out a selection of choice Porsche cuts. 

1955 Porsche Tempo Mikafa Sport Camper

No, your eyes are not deceiving you! This genuinely is a luxurious camper van wearing Porsche branding, and one of just three examples ever produced by the Mikafa company in the 1950s.

A Porsche 356 engine was fitted when new, giving the Sport Camper its name and sending power to the front wheels. Built as a special order, there is a fitted kitchenette with a refrigerator, and even a functional bathroom.

When new, the aluminum-bodied RV would have been seriously expensive, costing more than contemporary sports cars. With an estimated price of $100,000 to $150,000, even in unrestored condition, this is certainly one for the Porsche collector who has almost everything.

1959 Porsche 356A Convertible D

Although certainly more common than the Mikafa Sport Camper, the Convertible D version of the Porsche 356A was built for one year only. With 1,331 examples produced, they are a highly collectable early Porsche.

A taller windshield, wind-up side windows, and more comfortable seats made the Convertible D distinct. This example is said to be in superb condition, having been restored by noted 356 specialist Jack Staggs. 

The original 1.6-liter engine is said to be as immaculate as the bodywork, and the car comes with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. An estimate of $250,000 to $300,000 reflects the condition of this already prized Porsche. 

1972 Porsche 911T Coupe

This example of the 911T has certainly been loved, having been owned by the current owner since 1974. With 72,200 miles showing on the odometer, this unrestored Porsche has been used as those who built it in Zuffenhausen intended. 

Originally supplied to a dealership in Oakland, California, the car was leased to an area executive from new. The current owner purchased the car once the lease ended, and kept the car in the San Francisco bay area. 

Taken off the road for storage in 1992, and not used again until 2012, the 911T underwent some gentle recommissioning. The 2.2-liter flat-six machine is now ready to hit the road again as a truly usable classic. 

1985 Porsche DP 935

Porsche fans are currently going crazy for the ‘reborn’ Porsche 935 track-only supercar, but Mecum Monterey features something a little more retro. There is also the story of a legendary owner attached to this car, too.

DP Motorsports worked with race specialists Kremer in the 1980s, turning regular Porsche 930 Turbos into 935-inspired road cars. Lightweight body panels mimicked the race versions, whilst the wide BBS wheels give it a serious stance. 

With up to 500 horsepower from the turbocharged engine, this is a serious performance Porsche. Four examples of the DP 935 are up for auction, but this one is even more special for having reportedly being built for motorsport legend Mario Andretti. 

1989 Porsche 911 Speedster

From one legendary owner to another. This rare Porsche 911 Speedster was previously owned by Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Slash. In keeping with the heavy metal theme, this car features black paintwork, a black leather interior, and chrome Fuchs wheels.

Just 823 Speedsters were produced for USA in 1989, using the classic 930 chassis as a base. A low and steeply raked windscreen, plus the humped tonneau cover, marked it out from regular open-top 911s. Many were ordered with the wider Turbo-look body for extra girth at the rear.

Power came from a 3.2-liter version of the Porsche flat-six engine, connected to a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Speedsters are already collectable and a famous ex-owner is only likely to add to the demand here. 

1993 Porsche 911 RS America

North American Porsche enthusiasts were distraught at being denied the Europe-only Carrera RS. To ease their pain, Porsche offered a limited run of 701 examples of the RS America based upon the Carrera 2 model.

The air-cooled 3.6-liter engine produces 247 horsepower, and is connected to a five-speed manual transmission. A limited-slip differential was standard, whilst the power steering, air conditioning, sunroof and radio were all removed to help save weight.

This particular RS America is said to be just one of four delivered in paint-to-sample Fly Yellow. It certainly makes the distinctive ‘whale tail’ spoiler stand out. Owned by a serious Porsche enthusiast for two decades, this car has been meticulously maintained.  

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Weissach

The newest and most powerful car on our list also happens to be the one which has covered the lowest mileage. A total of just 10 miles have passed beneath the gold-colored magnesium wheels, found upon this 911 GT2 RS.

Perhaps the owner was scared of the formidable ‘widowmaker’ reputation held by GT2 Porsches. This one packs 700 horsepower from the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine, making the GT2 RS capable of more than 210 mph. 

The optional Weissach package reduced the weight of the alright stripped-out GT2 RS even more, including a roll cage made from titanium. An estimated sale price of $450,000 to $500,000 reflects the rarity, and ultra-low mileage, of this hardcore Porsche.

Bidding begins at the Mecum Monterey event on Thursday August 15, taking place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa.

Never mind the McLaren Senna, Bugatti Chiron or even the Ford GT. You can now buy, modify and drive a classic 1965 Ford Transit van in Forza Horizon 4.

• Ford fan spends £77,000 on his dream Transit

Ford Transit: from reality to virtual

Ford of Britain allowed the eggheads from Forza’s modelling and photography team to use its immaculate 1965 Transit to help bring the digital version to life.

First, over 1,000 photographs of the vehicle are taken. These are then sent to the modelling people, who develop the car in the game based on the imagery.

Every angle and every detail is captured and recreated for the game.

• Forza Horizon 4 gets brick-tastic Lego Speed Champions expansion

The Transit joins a range of cool Fords available in Horizon 4, including the GT supercar and Ranger Raptor pick-up. The Ford GT was, in fact, the cover star for 2015’s Forza Motorsport 6.

It’s not going to keep up with them, mind, with its humble 75hp engine. Unless of course, you decide to modify it…

“The Ford Transit is such a unique car that we wanted to have the very first one in the game” said Miko Russell, Forza Horizon 4 photographer. “We like to switch it up on people a little bit!”

The Transit is a curious addition to a range of sports and performance cars, although it’s entirely appropriate given the game’s UK setting. 

• Forza Motorsport offers epic drift action