This means that BBC Sounds can safely integrate into a car’s infotainment system, for both iPhone and Android smartphone users.
The older iPlayer app has had this compatibility for some time. In joining it, BBC Sounds comes with extra ‘My Sounds’, ‘Downloads’ and ‘Browse’ features, along with ‘Stations’ for ongoing live broadcasts.
This follows other ongoing additions to CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility lists. These include the music app Spotify and the popular navigation apps Waze and Google Maps.
As for new additions to the BBC Sounds app itself? The update now allows the app to show track information for anything playing on one of the live radio shows.
BBC Sounds was launched last year to appeal to younger users, with a more personalised listening facility, as well as a more on-demand experience.
The app ‘learns’ the user’s preferences and listening habits over time, and introduces them to content that ought to appeal to them, which they might not have found before.
Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto should open up a new commuter audience to the BBC’s content.
The BBC wants to recapture the attention of an audience that is increasingly overlooking conventional radio listening in favour of apps like Spotify.
This weekend at Goodwood Festival of Speed, the electric Volkswagen ID.R smashed a McLaren Formula 1 car’s 20-year-old hillclimb record, twice. All after less than two years of development.
For engineers like VW Motorsport director Sven Smeets, EVs are a new and near-unexplored frontier.
We caught up with him at Goodwood to talk ID.R, developing electric power and how this radical racer relates to what we’ll be driving in years to come.
The Goodwood hillclimb record
Just so we’re clear on the ID.R’s performance, that previous record was 41.6 seconds, set in 1999 by Nick Heidfeld driving a McLaren MP4/13. The McLaren was fully prepared for the run, with custom gearing and tyre warmers keeping its rubber toasty for the start.
The ID.R, driven by Romain Dumas, posted a 41.1sec on Friday, a 39.9sec on Saturday and then a 42.3 during Sunday’s official shootout… in the wet.
Last year, the first variant of the ID.R took the Pikes Peak hillclimb record, and it’s since become the second fastest car around the Nurburgring. Let’s learn more from Sven Smeets…
What were the biggest leaps forward with ID.R?
“If we went back to Pikes Peak, the car would be completely different. The battery could have serious weight reduction – and I’m not talking about 5kg – versus what we have now. Of course, the less weight we have, the less drag on the battery. Everything else follows.
“We already have some idea of how we would get more power. There are plenty of ‘next time’ ideas. If we went back now to the beginning, the car would look completely different.”
What have you learned from running at Goodwood?
“We have much fewer cells here, but we’re still asking for serious performance. We’ve learned about the balance between performance extraction and heat management. It’s interesting, how you regulate to optimise. You look after the battery like it’s your baby.”
Your thoughts on the ID.R’s record run?
“We were a little bit taken by surprise, to be honest. I spoke to Romain when we were testing and he was not super-optimistic. Because rain was forecast for Sunday, we had Friday and Saturday to give it a go.
“Of course, the record was our target, but we wanted to build up to it. Romain had a bad start, and a bad first corner because he was distracted by the start. Yet he still got 41 seconds.
Will there be another ID.R?
“We have some ideas for the future, which we will be discussing with marketing and the board from August through September. Hopefully some of them will be taken up, including some that go in different directions from records and hillclimbs like this.
“Things that were not possible in 2017, we can do now. In 2016, the Nurburgring lap wouldn’t have been achieved.”
How does the ID.R relate to road cars?
“On a certain level, we are interacting with the team behind the ID road cars. There is big work behind the scenes so that by 2022 there will be something properly presented. Many things are asked of us.
“We have a one-to-one connection with the performance people who build Volkswagen ‘R’ cars today. They will get our first electric test car. In terms of what we do, it’s very interesting for them to see what happens.”
The BMW 5 Series has been named Britain’s most expensive car to maintain in a study of the country’s 50 most popular vehicles.
Local garage and mechanic comparison service, Whocanfixmycar.com, calculated the average annual maintenance cost for the top 50 vehicles, with each figure including servicing, MOTs and any unexpected repairs that may arise.
At a cost of £585 per annum, the BMW 5 Series is the most costly, followed by the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (£557) and Volkswagen Passat (£543). In fact, German cars make up 50 percent of the top 10 most expensive motors.
Looking at the other end of the table, the Fiat Punto is the cheapest car to maintain, with an average maintenance cost of just £255. The Peugeot 206 (£283) and Mercedes-Benz A-Class (£289) complete the top three least expensive cars to keep on the road.
Whocanfixmycar.com calculated how much each car costs to maintain at different ages, from brand new to 15 years old, and created an average cost for each car per year. All figures were collated between September 2017 and September 2018.
The comparison website also analysed how many repairs are carried out through its website and used official registration statistics to compile a list of the most reliable cars on the road.
It found that the Audi A1 is the most reliable, with a one in 1,610 chance of the car requiring a repair. Next up is the Renault Clio (one in 1,249), the Nissan Note (one in 1,055), the Seat Leon (one in 864) and the Hyundai i10 (one in 292).
It’s worth noting that these figures are based on repairs carried out via the Whocanfixmycar.com website.
10 most expensive cars to maintain
BMW 5 Series: £585
Mercedes-Benz C-Class: £557
Volkswagen Passat: £543
BMW 1 Series: £518
BMW 3 Series: £486
Hyundai i10: £470
Toyota Yaris: £459
Audi A4: £454
Kia Sportage: £447
Honda CR-V: £447
10 least expensive cars to maintain
Fiat Punto: £295
Peugeot 206: £283
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: £289
Citroen C4: £293
Renault Megane: £310
Nissan Note: £312
Nissan Micra: £312
Vauxhall Zafira: £317
Peugeot 207: £320
Honda Civic: £321
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If you’re expecting nothing but muscle cars here, you’re in for a shock. When it comes to performance and racing cars, powerful V8s from the Land of the Free make for a popular choice, used in cars of all shapes and sizes at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019. Here are some highlights.
Nissan GT-R
We begin with the beguiling Irish drifter who goes by the name of ‘Baggsy’. While his wheels of choice resemble the very-Japanese Nissan GT-R, he only needs to fire it up for us to realise it’s had a heart transplant. How does 1,200hp of twin-turbo GM LSX V8 sound to you?
Ford Mustang GT500
Now here is some authentic American muscle, albeit with a splash of sophistication. Yes, it has over 750hp from a supercharged V8, but the Mustang GT500 also has a twin-clutch gearbox and clever aerodynamics. It’ll still rip fat elevens, though…
Ultima RS
Ultima’s new model is a sharp-looking update for 2019. The famous track supercar manufacturer has always been a fan of GM’s LS V8. This new car gets the latest supercharged LT4 lump from the Chevy Corvette Z06.
Penske PC22
What powers this Penske CART couldn’t be further from the LT4, but it’s still a Chevy V8. This turbocharged 2.6-litre unit screams to 14,000rpm. Famous drivers include Emerson Fittipaldi and Nigel Mansell. Even Ayrton Senna tested one.
Ford Mustang GTS 1
Mustangs are a common sight at the Festival of Speed, but no two are the same. This GTS 1 is a case in point. No, it’s not a NASCAR. It’s an IMSA racer in GTS 1, the successor to the famous GTO class. The road-going variants of the fourth-generation Mustang aren’t best-loved, but this is an absolute weapon.
Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk
The Jeep Trackhawk is one of the most powerful SUVs you can buy. This Cherokee truck features the supercharged 710hp V8 from the Challenger Hellcat. Because that’s exactly what a family 4×4 needed.
March-Chevrolet 707
Can-Am racing no longer exists. The cars were too powerful (a Porsche reached 1,500hp), too fast and it was cancelled over safety fears. This is a March-Chevrolet 707 Can-Am car uses a big-block Chevy V8.
Holden Commodore VL SS
The Aussies are well-known V8 lovers and Holdens have been putting Chevy V8s to good work for years. This one is a 1980s Commodore racer and doesn’t it just look the business?
De Tomaso Pantera
Back in the supercar-sphere, a timeless model from a name that’s only now coming back from the dead. The De Tomaso Pantera pairs a meaty American V8 with Italian supercar wedge design. It’s still the pinnacle pin-up for some.
McLaren M8D
The McLaren M8D is perhaps the most famous of the Chevy V8-powered Can-Am cars, not least because Bruce McLaren sadly died in an M8D just a few miles up the road at the Goodwood motor circuit in 1970.
Buick Regal NASCAR
It wouldn’t be an American V8 list if there wasn’t some NASCAR goodness, would it? And they don’t get much cooler than an ex-Richard Petty Buick Regal, driven by Petty himself at the Festival of Speed.
Twisted Land Rover Defender
Another V8 hiding in plain sight is this Defender, modified by Twisted. Under the bonnet, in place of an old Ford Transit diesel engine, is a Chevrolet LS V8.
March-Chevrolet 717
Because Can-Am. Here’s another big block monster and the successor to the 707. These things never fail to drop jaws when roaring up the hill at Goodwood.
Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR
In the NASCAR class, the Monte Carlo comes second only to Petty’s Regal for coolness. It’s an awesome throwback to the 1990s – this car is now 20 years old.
Ford Mustang RTR
We end as we began, with a rip-snorting drift car. The Mustang RTR takes the pony’s V8 to roaring new levels. Vaughn Gittin Jr, your car is absolutely terrifying, but we love it.
Kia is the latest manufacturer to fight back against keyless car theft with the launch of a new Faraday case.
The KiaSafe case is available for customers that purchase a new or used Kia model, and is just one of a number of solutions in development at the Korean giant.
Keyless car theft has been described as an “epidemic” by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, and a reason why the number of insurance claims for car thefts had risen by 12 percent to 56,000 in 2018 compared with 2017.
Also known as a ‘relay attack’, two thieves work together to steal a vehicle using electronic relay devices, usually from outside the motorist’s home.
‘Safe from hacking’
David Hart, customer experience manager at Kia Motors UK said: “The security of our customers’ vehicles comes second only to safety and we are as concerned about the hacking of keyless entry systems as customers, the police and the insurance industry.
“Whilst our current keyless entry systems do not have UWB or “sleep” buttons our engineers are developing additional levels of protection for future vehicles and these will be applied as soon as is feasible given production schedules and new model introductions.
“We encourage owners to adopt protection behaviours as advised by the Police – such as not leaving keyless entry fobs in the front door lock of their home or close to windows – and to use the KiaSafe to ensure their key fobs are rendered safe from hacking.”
The KiaSafe Faraday case is available from participating dealers during the handover process and is also available to purchase from dealers for £9.99 which means existing owners can also benefit.
A survey of British drivers has found that 33 percent believe playing racing games is likely to make people act more dangerously behind the wheel.
The data came from a survey undertaken by Carwow, who asked drivers about their video gaming habits and motoring abilities.
A substantial 58 percent of those asked said they had played racing games, with 8 percent playing between two and three times each week.
A hardcore 4 percent of respondents said they go virtual racing every single day.
Virtual insanity
When rating their real-world driving ability, these daily players gave themselves an average high score of 8.7 out of 10.
In comparison, non-gamer drivers across the UK rate themselves 7.84 out of 10, with those in the North East scoring themselves the best with at 8.31 out of 10. Motorists in Northern Ireland only ranked themselves 7.65 out of 10.
Despite the self-confidence, 26 percent of daily gamers admitted to having two or more speeding convictions. In contrast, only 17 percent of those who never played racing games owned up to the same.
A worrying 37 percent of those who played daily said they had been two or more accidents on the road.
Don’t try this at home
Most modern video games now include explicit disclaimers for players not to try and recreate what they see on-screen in real life. However, this did not stop more than one in five (22 percent) of respondents claiming to have copied a move from a racing game in real life.
More concerning what the fact so many gamers felt happy to take things to the street, despite 59 percent of those asked believing games create unrealistic expectations of driving.
As a result, more than half (54 percent) felt the creators of games franchises like Forza and Gran Turismo should place greater emphasis on the dangers of driving.
Although the ‘real airbag deployment simulator’ tagline doesn’t really sound much fun.
Digital crossroads
Racing games have become big business, with developers and car manufacturers working together to promote their products.
Ford used the Forza Horizon 4 game to reveal the Ranger Raptor, whilst Mazda used an earlier version of the Forza franchise to let fans try the latest MX-5.
Earlier this year, Tesla added a range of classic Atari arcade games to its cars software.
Mercedes-Benz has also asked designers to create games which could be played with the controls inside a car. The aim being to occupy passengers when self-driving cars become more prevalent.
A staggering 62 percent of British motorists surveyed in a study believe you drive ON THE LEFT in France and Spain.
That’s according to a survey of 1,253 drivers carried out by insurance company By Miles, with two-thirds of motorists blissfully unaware that you drive on the right having left the ferry port or Channel Tunnel. Time to stick a Post-it reminder on the dashboard?
Only a fifth (22 percent) realise that drivers in France must carry a breathalyser with them at all times. The breathalyser must be unused, carry the NF certification mark and be in date.
Meanwhile, 91 percent of drivers are unaware that Spanish authorities can fine you €200 (£180) for driving without a shirt on. Driving with your arm hanging out of the window or with excessively high music could also lead to a chat with the authorities, along with wearing flip flops.
Has escuchado alguna canción 🎶🎵 del grupo "No me pises 👣 que llevo CHANCLAS", seguro que si.
Pues, quédate con este estribillo: "No le pises 🎛 que llevas CHANCLAS".
You might think that driving on the right is obvious, but other country-specific laws might be less apparent. Be sure to research the rules and regulations of each country you’re visiting this summer.
James Blackham, the co-founder of By Miles, said, “Holidaymakers planning on driving to Europe this summer must take the time to swot up on local driving laws or risk facing fines. Little-known rules can often catch drivers out.
“For example, in France, you must carry a breathalyser with you at all times, and in Spain, if caught driving without a top on you can be fined €200!
“However, every road-tripper can protect themselves by following a few simple steps before setting off. Don’t presume your insurer automatically gives you the same full cover you have at home when you’re driving in Europe. Give them a ring to make sure you have the same level of cover – some drop to third party cover only once outside the UK.
“While you’re on the phone, check your annual mileage cap too. While Europe doesn’t seem all that far away, an unusually long road trip means some risk clocking up too many miles on the journey and invalidating their insurance policies as a result.”
Advice for driving abroad this summer
By Miles has the following advice for motorists driving abroad this summer:
Carry a breathalyser: you must carry a breathalyser, warning triangle and high-visibility vest in France.
Keep your shirt on: drivers should avoid taking their shirt off or wearing flip flops behind the wheel in Spain
Check your vehicle is covered: make sure you have European insurance cover when travelling abroad.
Monitor your mileage: check that you won’t exceed your mileage limit when abroad.
Drink-driving: check the country-specific drink-driving laws before consuming any alcohol.
In the same way you’d always find Jona Lewie in the kitchen at parties, you’ll always find Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock in the car park at motoring events. The man who never sleeps is at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, from where he has supplied these photos. Brace yourself, because we’re going in. But not until Richard has finished wandering around the car park.
Ferrari 458 Italia
We start with the Goodwood Fezza of Speed: a 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia. Powered by a 4.5-litre V8 producing 570hp at a dizzying 9,000rpm, we suspect it lives up to its number plate.
Ford Focus RS
Not one but two Ford Focus RS, one of them equipped with the Mountune pack for even more punch. There are many more RS Foci here at Goodwood too: it’s a bit of an emerging cult car, this fast Ford…
Lotus Evora GT430
Lotus will reveal the Evija electric hypercar at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, but in the meantime, here’s a car Hethel made earlier. The Evora GT430 was a watershed moment for the brand, being the first road-going Lotus to sell for more than £100,000.
Ford Fiesta Zetec
Forget the Festival of Speed, we want to see the Fiesta of Speed. A Fiesta ST would be preferable, but a 1.2-litre Fiesta Zetec is a lot of fun.
Lamborghini Urus
Last year, Richard drove a Lamborghini Urus up the famous Goodwood hillclimb course. He said it was “pleasingly responsible” and “a lot lighter and tighter on its feet” than he was expecting.
Ferrari GTC4Lusso
For Richard, this must have been like meeting up with an old friend, as he drove the Ferrari GTC4Lusso for Motoring Research in 2016. He called the 6.3-litre V12 supercar a “very rewarding ownership proposition”.
Ariel Nomad
If the Festival of Speed’s notorious traffic jams become too much, the Ariel Nomad is your passport to arriving and leaving as the crow flies. Just remember to seek permission from the Duke formerly known as Lord March.
BMW i8
Fast-forward 20 years, and we reckon the Goodwood Festival of Speed car park will feature a high proportion of electrified vehicles. And cars with internal combustion engines might be a novelty act on the hillclimb.
BMW Z3 M Coupe
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily ‘breadvan’.
Bentley Bentayga
Bentley launched the Bentayga diesel in 2016 before dropping it from the European range in 2018. The company blamed “political legislative conditions” and a “shift in attitude towards diesel-powered cars”.
Ford Escort RS Turbo
If the sight of the Bentayga is enough to see you reaching for the eye bleach, this Ford Focus RS Turbo should be a welcome tonic. Launched in 1984, the vast majority of S1 cars were finished in 80s-tastic Diamond White, although a few, most notably Lady Di’s black number, were supplied in different colours.
McLaren 720S
Our resident wizard wordsmith and good egg Tim Pitt is a fan of the McLaren 720S. He labelled the 720hp supercar “a furious force of nature” and the “epitome of tech-led, wildcard cool”.
Audi S5
The Clio Williams and Subaru Impreza WRX are two cars that manage to rock the gold wheels look. Can an Audi S5 with gold Bentley rims pull it off? Answers on a postcard to the usual address.
Porsche 944
Displaying some patina – and looking all the better for it – this Porsche 944 refuses to be overshadowed by its neighbours in the Festival of Speed car park.
Jaguar F-Type R
Thanks to its 550hp 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine, the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe can sprint to 62mph in 4.1 seconds before hitting a top speed of 186mph. As this photo proves, orange is better than white.
De Tomaso Pantera
Few cars pack as much visual punch as the De Tomaso Pantera. Thanks to a mid-mounted Ford-sourced 5.8-litre V8 engine, there’s plenty of performance punch, too.
Lotus Europa
Is this the coolest car in the Goodwood car park? We think so. Well done, Richard, with this slice of Europa exotica you’re really spoiling us. Treat yourself to an expensive and sustainably-sourced burger.
McLaren MP4-12C
We thought ‘BOSS’ number plates were the preserve of German SUVs, but this McLaren MP14-12C would suggest we were wrong.
Red cars are faster
If this trio of German redheads has whetted your appetite for more Goodwood content, keep an eye on Motoring Research for the latest news and views from Richard, Ethan and Bradley. Also, keep clicking for more car park spots.
As Cornwall braces itself for an influx of holidaymakers, the local council is urging visitors to take their rubbish home.
The county attracts around 4.5 million staying visitors every year, but while the vast majority wouldn’t dream of littering the countryside, some are less considerate.
Every year, Cornwall Council’s waste collection service Biffa collects 10 tonnes of litter from the roadsides and verges along the A30 – the main route for tourists.
Fast food packaging, takeaway cups and plastic bottles are the most common items found by the refuse teams, but a toilet, cooker and part of a boat are some of the bizarre items that have been dumped on the A30.
This suggests that locals are as much to blame for the litter as the tourists who flock to Cornwall’s sandy beaches and coastal attractions
‘Take your rubbish home’
Cabinet portfolio holder for environment and public protection, Sue James, said: “While the majority of people act responsibly and help keep our roadsides clear of litter, it is hard to understand the mentality of people throwing rubbish from their cars while travelling through such beautiful countryside.
“Not only is it an eyesore and damaging to wildlife it means our waste collection team are having to collect litter alongside a road where drivers are travelling at speeds of 70mph. It also costs money that could be spent elsewhere.
“Please just take your rubbish home and keep our countryside looking beautiful.”
Dropping litter is a criminal offence under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 19, and drivers can be fined £150 for throwing rubbish from a car window or dumping it in a lay-by, or up to £2,500 if the case goes to court.
The message is simple: keep Cornwall today by binning your rubbish or taking it home. If you spot somebody littering, report it to Cornwall Council.
Traditionally, the central feature at the Goodwood Festival of Speed includes several cars. They’re invariably cherry-picked road and or racing icons from a chosen marque’s history.
Not so this year with Aston Martin, as a lone DBR1 takes to the swooping structure.
So it should, too, as it marks 60 years since Aston made its own motorsport history at Goodwood. In 1959, the marque secured the World Sportscar Championship with victory at Goodwood’s RAC Tourist Trophy (following victory at Le Mans).
And it did so with the DBR1.
Stirling Moss took victory honours, but only after swapping cars due to his first car catching ablaze in the pits.
The DBR1’s domination was undeniable. It secured both first and second places, finishing 25 laps ahead of the closest pursuing Ferrari. The lead car was famously piloted by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori. This was before Caroll got into squeezing big V8s into AC sports cars.
It was 10 years before that, in 1949, that Aston Martin first competed at Goodwood with the DB3S,. The company recently marked the 1959 win with a new DBS 59 edition.
This certainly feels like an apt year to be celebrating momentous moments in Aston Martin’s motorsport history. Especially given the breadth of its ambitions for the future.
The new Vantage GTE has had a rocky but promising start, rolling in the tyre tracks of a class-winning predecessor. It’s a sobering irony, though, that Ferrari took class honours at Le Mans this year, following the Aston having its performance slashed by regulators.
As Aston Martin’s racing history is celebrated this weekend at Goodwood, we all look forward to the marque bringing a V12 – the most traditional and evocative of powerplants – back to Le Mans.
The BBC has announced that its BBC Sounds streaming app now includes support for Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
If you’re expecting nothing but muscle cars here, you’re in for a shock. When it comes to performance and racing cars, powerful V8s from the Land of the Free make for a popular choice, used in cars of all shapes and sizes at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019. Here are some highlights.
A survey of British drivers has found that 33 percent believe playing 
When rating their real-world driving ability, these 
Most modern video games now include explicit disclaimers for players not to try and recreate what they see on-screen in real life. However, this did not stop more than one in five (22 percent) of respondents claiming to have copied a move from a racing game in real life. 
Racing games have become big business, with developers and car manufacturers working together to promote their products.
