Police have warned of targeted catalytic converter thefts, with the Toyota Prius being particularly vulnerable. The thieves are bold, targeting cars in broad daylight, as the Twitter video below shows.
Although this issue isn’t new, the latest warning comes from Hertfordshire Police. In the St Albans area alone, there have been a 21 recent incidents, with six in Welwyn, three in North Hertfordshire and one in Stevenage.
The thefts themselves are executed with the pace and precision of an F1 pit stop. Mere seconds pass while the car is jacked up and the exhaust is removed.
The crime in the video took place in East London. But such thefts are on the rise across the UK, with more than 900 cases reported to police in 2018.
Why are catalytic converters being stolen?
Catalytic converters are exhaust filters that contain precious metals, including gold and platinum. They can be worth hundreds of pounds.
Certain cars, such as the Prius, have them positioned in a way that’s easy to access – hence the rise in related crime.
One idea for closing the market to thieves is to ban difficult-to-trace cash transactions at scrap yards.
Sitting in your car with the engine idling could land you with an instant fine, if new proposals take effect.
Current fines range from £20 to £80, and are only handed out if prior warnings to turn off your engine aren’t heeded. Local councils such as Camden in London, however, are now calling for on-the-spot fines. And Westminster council is proposing fines of £1,000 to companies whose drivers are repeatedly caught idling.
“Having spoken to more than 20,000 drivers so far, our air quality marshals found that most who idle, do so out of habit,” said Westminster council leader Nickie Aiken.
“Once they know the damage it causes, including the health risks, and they’re asked to switch off the engine, they do so and think twice before idling again. Fines should be a last resort – we prefer to ask nicely.”
It’s suggested that guidance will be established and issued in order for local authorities to effectively – and fairly – enforce new legislation should it go through. Nonetheless, the severity of enforcement is likely to vary depending on local area.
“We are determined to reduce the damaging environmental impacts of drivers who keep their engines running while stationary, especially those in school zones,” said a Department for Transport spokesperson.
“This is why we are making guidance for local authorities clearer, so they know how and when to target drivers falling foul of the law. We will also be polling local authorities to understand how any potential review of these powers may look in future.”
You won’t get a fine for idling in traffic
Westminster council says an idling car produces enough gas to fill up to 150 balloons a minute. Also, engines can emit twice as much at idle as they do in motion.
Idling is bad for engines, too. Inefficient internal combustion is what raises emissions, and can increase wear on engine components. Car engines aren’t generators; they’re at their happiest when under load, and at speed.
That being said, older cars don’t like to be turned on and off repeatedly. So this new legislation will not apply to cars in traffic, only when parked.
Electric car sales are not taking off in lower-income EU countries, according to new data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’s Association (ACEA).
The research shows that all countries with an EV market share of less than one percent have a GDP per capita below €29,000 (£25,385). Conversely, an EV market share above 3.5 percent only occurs in countries with a GDP of more than €42,000 (£36,766).
It means that a huge 80 percent of the EU’s electric vehicles are sold in just six countries.
Poland, a country with a GDP of €12,900 (£11,292), has the lowest uptake of electric cars in the EU, with just 1,324 EVs sold in 2018, creating a market share of 0.2 percent.
It’s a similar story in Slovakia (0.3 percent market share) and Greece (0.3 percent), while EV sales in Latvia totalled just 93 in 2018.
By contrast, EVs are securing a stronger foothold in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, where financial incentives make electric car ownership a more viable proposition.
The majority of EU member states offer fiscal measures to stimulate electric car sales, but while most countries grant simple tax reductions, only 12 nations offer premiums or bonus payments to buyers of these vehicles.
‘A matter of priority’
ACEA secretary general Erik Jonnaert said: “People throughout the EU should be able to consider purchasing an electric vehicle – no matter which country they live in – north or south, east or west.
“The affordability of the latest low- and zero-emission technologies needs to be addressed by governments as a matter of priority.”
The EU recently approved stricter CO2 reduction targets of -15 percent, and -37.5 percent for the years 2025 and 2030 respectively. The current target of 95g/km CO2 for the year 2021 was set in 2013.
Earlier this year, we revealed that 21 million more electric vehicles are expected to hit the streets by the year 2030, with Deloitte predicting that by 2024, the cost to own a BEV will be on a par with that of a petrol or diesel vehicle – that’s just five years away.
A legal order to improve air quality could see motorists in in Tyneside hit with substantial fees to drive into the centres of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead.
Increased levels of Nitrogen Dioxide and small particulate emissions have prompted Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, and North Tyneside Council to consider the drastic action.
Two possible solutions to combat air pollution, a Charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and an alternative Low Emission Zone with tolls (LEZ), would see certain categories of vehicles liable for daily penalty charges.
Tyneside charging Clean Air Zone
The Clean Air Zone option would see cars, vans, buses, and HGVs liable to charges to drive on roads in the centre of Newcastle and Gateshead. Key arterial routes, such as the A1058 Coast Road which stretches to neighbouring Wallsend, would also be included.
Suggested charges for HGVs, buses and coaches would be £50 per day, with private cars, vans and taxis paying £12.50 per day to access the included routes.
Vehicles meeting the latest emissions standards, such as EU6 diesel cars, would be exempt from having to pay the fees.
Newcastle Low Emission Zone
A smaller Low Emission Zone would limit the area included to just the centre of Newcastle Upon Tyne, using three of the areas iconic bridges as toll points.
Eligible vehicles crossing the Tyne, Swing, and Redheugh bridge would be liable for fees of £1.70 per journey for cars and vans, with £3.40 for HGVs.
A public consultation, which was extended until Sunday 19th May, aims to find the views of residents and business owners in the areas which would be most affected by the plans.
However, many residents have already expressed concerns at the high price of suggested fees, whilst bus operators have stated their opposal to the potential charge of £50 per day if the CAZ option is chosen.
The three local authorities will now review the consultation responses, before submitting a final scheme proposal to central government for approval later in 2019.
From hot hatchbacks to SUVs, we have taken a look at the collection of vehicles VeeDub fans should keep a look out for this show season.
VW Jetta GLI Super Touring Concept
The new Jetta GLI caused a storm when it launched at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year. It is the most powerful production GLI ever, producing 228 horsepower and 258lb-ft of torque from its 2.0-litre TSI engine.
With 1990s culture bang on trend at the moment, it seems fitting that VW has opted to mimic the heyday of touring car racing with the GLI Super Touring Concept. K&W coilover suspension helps slam it to the ground, with a new spoiler, bigger brakes, and performance exhaust also added.
A major talking point is the set of brand-new 19-inch Fifteen52 alloy wheels, which are making their American debut attached to this Jetta GLI Autobahn.
VW GTI Rabbit Confetti Concept
Volkswagen released the Rabbit Edition of the GTI hot hatch for the 2019 model year, and that car serves as the base for this concept.
A special vinyl wrap sees Rabbit logos in multiple hues sprinkled, like confetti, across the bodywork of the GTI. VW also notes that the wrap contains a ‘hidden surprise’ for fans to try and find.
H&R lowering springs help give the Rabbit Confetti Concept an aggressive stance on the 19-inch Rotiform RSE wheels. The latter wear retro-influenced Aerodisk covers, whilst roof bars and a Thule basket tick off more scene points.
VW Golf Alltrack Combi Concept
Using the Alltrack wagon will undoubtedly endear the Combi Concept with VW enthusiasts. But the Volkswagen Technical Service Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan has gone even further with a mixture of different parts.
A front bumper from a Golf GTE meets a rear spoiler from a GTI Rabbit Edition. The short-throw shifter comes from a diesel Golf GTD, whilst H&R supply the lowering springs.
Most noticeable are the continuing theme of the 1990s-inspired retro graphics which stand out against the dark paintwork. The Volkswagen roof bars also incorporate an LED light bar, and support a Thule cargo box.
VW Tiguan Adventure Concept
Unlike most of the other vehicles in the 2019 Concept collection, the Tiguan Adventure features raised, rather than lowered, suspension.
Built in collaboration with suspension manufacturer H&R, this SUV wears Adventure Raising Springs and a set of 18-inch Rotiform wheels mounted with all-terrain rubber.
Volkswagen has also gone to town with official accessories, including Monster Mats, rear protection plates, side steps, and roof bars carrying a Kayak.
VW Golf R Spektrum Concept
For the 2019 model year, Volkswagen now offers the potent Golf R hot hatch in a range of custom paint choices as part of the Spektrum package.
A total of 40 different paint options form part of the Spektrum offering, with many of them heritage hues from Volkswagen’s back catalogue of greatest hits.
VW has painted this Golf R in classic Ginster Yellow, and it also features the inevitable H&R lowering springs. A set of 20-inch Vossen Hybrid Forged HF-1 wheels add some contrast, along with special decals running along the side sills.
VW Atlas Basecamp Concept
The substantial three-row Atlas SUV has proven to be a popular product for Volkswagen, with the plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee churning out big numbers of them.
However, this concept is the work of Alex Earle, Exterior Design Manager at the Volkswagen Design Center California, who wanted to build the best Atlas for extreme mountain biking.
Previously seen at the New York International Auto Show, the Basecamp Concept wears 17-inch Fifteen52 alloy wheels, a custom body kit from Air Designs, and an H&R lift kit with coilover suspension.
VW Arteon R-Line SEMA Concept
Finally, Volkswagen is also taking the modified Arteon four-door coupe from the 2018 SEMA Show on the road. Developed with Vossen wheels, a set of 21-inch Vossen Forged M-X4T wheels are the most significant part of the upgrades.
The Pure White paint wears a satin protection film, and the Arteon also features H&R Ultra Low coilover suspension to drop it closer to the ground by 3 inches. A big brake kit and custom body kit was added after the SEMA event.
Volkswagen fans wanting to check out the seven cars in more detail should head to one of these eight events throughout the summer of 2019:
SOWO: The European Experience | Savannah, GA | May 18-19
The London Motor Show is back for another year in 2019 at Excel in London’s Docklands. The organisers are calling it a new breed of motor show, where live action is as much of a draw as the new cars displayed on brand’s stands.
Tyre-smoking action is guaranteed throughout the four-day show: if you’re visiting this weekend (18-19 May), here are some of the other supercars, award-winning cars and British car reveals you must check out.
Jaguar I-Pace: World Car Awards champ
The Jaguar I-Pace is the star car on the World Car Awards stand. This year, it scooped an unprecedented THREE prizes at the awards ceremony in New York – World Green Car, World Car Design and overall World Car of the Year 2019. It’s shown alongside the actual gongs borrowed from Jaguar’s trophy cabinet…
McLaren 720S: world’s best performance car 2019
The McLaren 720S is another World Car Awards winner, taking the 2019 World Performance Car prize. And it seemed to be one of the most-photographed exhibits at this year’s London Motor Show.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is at last landing in the UK! One of the must-have, most hotly-anticipated new EVs of 2019 is sure to draw plenty of interest this weekend.
New Range Rover Evoque
Another new model arriving in dealer showrooms right now is the latest Range Rover Evoque. The firm is hoping it can repeat the incredible success of its sector-defining predecessor.
MG ZS EV: an electrifying show debut
British brand MG actually gave its all-electric ZS EV a British market debut at the Excel Docklands show. It arrives later this year and the firm is targeting both an incredibly competitive price tag and a range of over 200 miles. Bosses are quietly confident this could be a game-changer for the reborn firm now based in Marylebone, London.
Noble M500 prototype
The more affordable alternative to the Noble M600 supercar, the M500 is Noble’s vision of what its sports car rival to the McLaren 570S could look like. Boasting a Ford V6 twin-turbo putting out 500 to 550 horsepower, this model is in development right now. The prototype is an early look at what’s in store…
Hyundai Tucson N-Line
Hyundai has only just announced the N-Line series for its popular Tucson family SUV, yet it’s already here on show in London. Standout features include sportier wheels and black-accented body cladding, plus a neat set of black door mirrors.
Liberty Walk
Liberty Walk is one of the most talked-about and controversial modding companies of recent years. If you want the stance and aero of a racing car, they’ll make it happen. They’ve applied their not-so-subtle touch to everything from Nissan GT-Rs to Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Such is the popularity of these rivet-happy modders, their kits are even available as upgrades on a variety of racing games.
Ferrari Enzo
In the name of the Father. The Enzo was named after the man himself, Enzo Ferrari, otherwise known as the man that started it all in Maranello. The Enzo, originally F60, earned its name because of how proud the marque was of its creation back in 2002. A 650hp 6.0-litre V12, revolutionary paddle-shift transmission and an all-carbon structure and those striking looks made this one of the most desirable hypercars of the early 2000s. While it cost ‘just’ £600,000 in period, if you were lucky enough to be selected to buy one, today, Enzo entry costs well over £1 million…
Del Boy’s Reliant van
It wouldn’t be a true East London car show if there wasn’t an Only Fools and Horses van on show, would it? This is one of several cars actually used by Del Boy and Rodney in the 1980s sitcom.
Back to the Future DeLorean
Another motor show regular is a Back to the Future DeLorean. Given that the first instalment was released back in 1985, it’s likely to be dads rather than their kids queuing up here to have their photo taken in it…
Golden Rolls-Royce
For when your bank balance far outstrips any sense of taste you might call upon, there’s this golden Rolls-Royce…
Slammed Range Rover Evoque
Likewise, this ‘low ’n’ slow’ Range Rover Evoque. We don’t see this tackling the Darien Gap any time soon…
Audi e-tron EV
The Audi e-tron is the all-electric rival to the Jaguar I-Pace. Britain pipped Germany in the World Car Awards finals, leaving the e-tron as a still-worthy runner-up.
Lamborghini at London Motor Show 2019
The mighty Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder is on display at the London show. The hard-top coupe set a Nurburgring lap record, and the Spyder is not likely to be far behind. It puts out 640 horsepower from its mid-mounted V10 engine, but it’s the noise and spectacle that’s more of a draw for most…
Ford Focus Active
The Focus Active is Ford’s ‘in-betweener’ SUV. It’s a raised-up Focus with extra body cladding and tougher bodyside mouldings, for those who want to feel a bit more secure and all-roads ready without going all-out with an SUV.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Outlander PHEV (and its commercial van sister car) is Mitsubishi’s answer to the London ULEZ. The Japanese brand is here at the London Motor Show 2019 with an officially-backed stand to support its London-based dealers in spreading the message.
Bugatti Chiron
London is lucky enough to have what could be the world’s fastest car at the 2019 Excel show. The Chiron has yet to set a top speed challenge…
Bugatti Veyron
… But it’s sure to beat the 261mph time set by the ultimate version of its Bugatti Veyron predecessor, right?
Minis and mini skirts will be the order of the day at this year’s Goodwood Revival, as the popular event brings Swinging Sixties London to the Sussex countryside.
Three Mini Coopers once owned by Beatles Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr will star alongside a Mini previously owned by Cilla Black.
Brian Epstein presented each member of the ‘Fab Four’ with a Mini in 1966, with each car sent to coachbuilders Radford and Hooper for customisation.
Ringo’s was given a hatchback to accommodate his drum kit, while George’s was treated to a ‘Tantric’ paint job. Sadly, the whereabouts of John Lennon’s Mini Cooper are unknown.
As is traditional for the Revival, period fashion is very much part of the event, so visitors are invited to plan their outfits in advance.
Mary Quant, Twiggy and Dior are expected to be the strongest influences, with mini skirts, thigh-high boots, geometric prints and beehives likely to be the order of the day.
Mod fashion and the ‘Mop Top’ will also feature highly, although anything from the 1948-66 era is suitable for the Revival.
To encourage event-goers to make a special effort, Goodwood will create several photo back-drops with professional photographers, so you can expect plenty of Instagram action.
The Goodwood Revival takes place over the weekend of 13-15 September, but Saturday tickets and three-day passes have sold out. Friday and Sunday tickets are still available.
A rare Roman coin can be added to the list of amazing artefacts found by the archaeologists working alongside the A14 upgrade in Cambridgeshire.
It follows the discovery of what is believed to be evidence of the first beer brewed in the UK, along with the remains of a woolly mammoth and woolly rhino, both probably at least 100,000 years old.
Other discoveries found by the team – led by the aptly-named Dr Steve Sherlock – include prehistoric henges, Iron Age settlements, Roman pottery kilns, three Anglo-Saxon villages, and a deserted medieval village. The project also unearthed a coin dating back to 57 BC, meaning it was likely minted to help fund the resistance to Julius Caesar.
Get Tony Robinson on the blower: this is enough to fill an entire series of Time Team.
A ‘remarkable discovery’
The coin is described by Highways England as a “remarkable discovery” and depicts the Roman emperor Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus wearing a radiate crown. It’s only the second of its kind to be discovered on an archeological dig in England.
It was found in a ditch of a small Roman farmstead unearthed on the project. The head on the coin has been identified by a leading expert.
We’ve done a little, um… digging of our own, and have discovered that Laelianus was born in 269 AD and that “history has little real knowledge about the gallic emperor”.
A number of coins were issued in his name, but his reign was thought to have lasted for just a couple of months before he was executed by his own soldiers.
A ‘rich history’
Dr Sherlock said: “Discoveries of this kind are incredibly rare. This is one of many coins that we’ve found on this exciting project, but to find one, where there are only two known from excavations in this country that portray this particular emperor, really is quite significant.
“I look forward to seeing how the analysis of this find along with numerous other Roman remains that we have found on this project help us better understand our past.”
Julian Bowsher (pictured), numismatist at MOLA Headland Infrastructure, added:“Roman emperors were very keen to mint coins. Laelianus reigned for just two months, which is barely enough time to do so. However, coins were struck in Mainz, Germania.
”The fact that one of these coins ever reached the shores of Britain demonstrates remarkable efficiency, and there’s every chance that Laelianus had been killed by the time this coin arrived in Cambridgeshire.”
Work on the £1.5bn A14 improvement scheme started in November 2016 and includes a new bypass to the south of Huntingdon. The new road is expected to open to traffic by the end of 2020.
A busy urban commute can be a painful experience, but new research has identified the cities in which you’ll find the most stressed drivers.
Research surveying 2,000 UK workers has revealed that motorists in York and London are the country’s most stressed commuters, whether they’re in the car or using public transport. Around half of all commuters in York and London said that their commute increases their stress levels.
“The roads around York are a nightmare, especially when travelling to and from work,” said Amy Taylor, an inclusion manager from York, who claimed she wasn’t surprised by the results.
“The ring road is constantly at a standstill and the city centre streets aren’t even worth trying at rush hour – you barely move.”
Overall, 43 percent of UK commuters said that their commute had an adverse affect on their mental health. For those between the ages of 25 and 34, that figure rises dramatically to 73 percent.
“Daily commutes are harming the mental health of Brits all over the country, but many are still prepared to travel in order to have better jobs and homes,” said Ross Counsell, director at Good Move, the company behind the research.
“While everyone has an idea of their dream home or career, it is so important that people get a healthy work-life balance and don’t sacrifice their mental wellbeing.”
The top 10 cities with the most stressed commuters
1.
York
51%
2.
London
51%
3.
Aberdeen
47%
4.
Glasgow
47%
5.
Birmingham
45%
6.
Nottingham
44%
7.
Oxford
44%
8.
Cardiff
42%
9.
Newcastle
42%
10.
Leeds
42%
Meanwhile, Bristol is named as the city with the least stressful commute, followed by Coventry, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Belfast.
Reducing stress on the commute
Here are three tips to help relieve the stress of a daily commute:
Sing along to music while driving. Research suggests that singing reduces stress and is a natural anti-depressant.
Use the commute to plan ahead for your day, so you can hit the ground running. That will reduce stress about wanting to get where you’re going.
Get a good night’s sleep. Driving, or indeed commuting in any way, while tired or low on energy, is at best not fun and at worst, dangerous.
Plans for a £1 billion upgrade to the A66 road have been unveiled by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. The road connects the east and the west of the North of England.
Highways England plans to broaden the remaining 18 miles of the A66 that are, at present, single-lane, in line with the rest of the route which is a dual carriageway. An eight-week consultation into options for the completion of the project has now been launched. It will explore how the upgrade should be carried out on varying sections of the road.
Some sections of the route will benefit from a straightforward ‘dualling’, while others could be freed up by a bypass. Examples of the latter include the five-mile Appleby to Brough section, and the more residential areas of Kirkby Thore and Crackenthorpe.
Overall, the goal is to ease congestion at peak times and improve journey times across the country. Once operational, speed limits across the A66 are likely to be increased.
The road is an industrial lifeline between for the region. It stretches 50 miles between Penrith in Cumbria and Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire. The upgrade, while benefitting local residents, will benefit freight and port routes across the country, better linking the likes of Stanraer to Hull, Felixstowe and beyond.
“Dualling the A66 will not only mean drivers’ journeys are quicker, safer and more reliable across the Pennines, but is part of our pledge to ensure that the business opportunities of the Northern Powerhouse spread out from the great cities of the North of England to every city, town and rural community from the Midlands to the Scottish Lowlands,” said Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.
Upgrading the trans-Pennine route is a part of a much larger plan to upgrade highways in the North of England.
“We are investing a record £13 billion to improve journeys across the North of England,” the Transport Secretary said.
“The A66 connects businesses, communities and families across the north of England, and this highly anticipated upgrade is great news for the local, and regional economies and will improve the national road network,” commented Highways England chief executive, Jim O’Sullivan.
Summer is almost here and, for thousands of Volkswagen fans across America, that means the chance to show off their cars at 
The new Jetta GLI caused a storm when it launched at the 
Volkswagen released the Rabbit Edition of the 
Using the Alltrack wagon will undoubtedly endear the Combi Concept with VW enthusiasts. But the Volkswagen Technical Service Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan has gone even further with a mixture of different parts.
Unlike most of the other vehicles in the 2019 Concept collection, the Tiguan Adventure features raised, rather than lowered, suspension.
For the 2019 model year, Volkswagen now offers the potent Golf R hot hatch in a range of custom paint choices as part of the Spektrum package.
The substantial three-row Atlas SUV has proven to be a popular product for Volkswagen, with the plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee churning out big numbers of them.
Finally, Volkswagen is also taking the modified Arteon four-door coupe from the 
