Affordable luxury: range-topping Dacia Techroad prices and specs revealed

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April 1, 2019

The top-of-the-range Dacia Techroad special editions will cost from £11,660, with the first customers taking delivery in April.

Dacia unveiled the new models at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, with the Techroad trim available on the Sandero Stepway, Logan MCV Stepway and Duster. Two exclusive colours are available: Fusion Red and Highland Grey.

All Dacia Techroad cars feature side decals, red detailing on the door mirrors, Techroad badges and red centre caps for the two-tone alloy wheels (16-inch on the Stepway models and 17-inch on the Duster).

On the inside, Techroad models boast seats with red and grey detailing, along with red accents on the air vents, around the gear lever, and on the door handles and floor mats.

Sandero Stepway and Logan MCV Stepway Techroad

The Sandero Stepway Techroad costs £11,660 (£660 more than the Comfort version), with the Logan MCV Stepway Techroad priced at £13,160 (£665 more than the Comfort).

Both models are offered with a TCe 90 petrol engine, while the Logan MCV Stepway Techroad also gets the Blue dCi 95 diesel.

In addition to the upgrades listed above, Stepway Techroad editions boast a soft-feel steering wheel, air conditioning, the Media Nav multimedia system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, DAB radio, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors, cruise control and a speed limiter.

Duster Techroad

The Dacia Duster Techroad costs £16,360 (£660 more than the Prestige version) and is offered with a choice of three engines: TCe 130 and 150 turbocharged petrol units, plus the Blue dCi 115 diesel. Two- and four-wheel-drive versions are available.

Spec includes rear parking sensors, climate control, hands-free key card, blind-spot detection and multi-view camera, along with Media Nav Evolution with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

You can order a Dacia Techroad today: deliveries will commence this month.

Live your National Lampoon movie dreams with the Family Truckster

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John Redfern

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March 29, 2019

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A replica of the car which starred in the 1983 cult comedy film National Lampoon’s Vacation is set to go across the Barrett-Jackson auction block next month.

It means this could be the chance to live out your dreams of playing Clark Griswold, and getting behind the wheel of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.

Although it is not the original car from the film – with several other recreations having been built before – it still marks a rare opportunity for movie motoring fun.

“Dad, this is not the car you ordered!”

Based upon a Ford LTD Station Wagon, the original Wagon Queen was intended to mock the outdated malaise-era woodie wagons.

With the birth of the minivan on the horizon, cars like the ‘79 LTD used to make the original Family Truckster were rapidly falling out of favour with American car buyers.

Whilst this replica uses a later Ford LTD body from 1981, it still packs all the details of the movie original.

Even the awkward hood-mounted gas cap, Lou Glutz Motors plates, and Wagon Queen dashboard badge are all present and correct.

“You think you hate it now, wait ‘til you drive it”

All 1981 Ford LTD wagons came with a standard 5.0-liter Windsor V-8 engine, but forget any ideas of big performance. Output was rated at only 130 horsepower and, when combined with a weight of 3,669lb (1,664kg) means leisurely cruising is more appropriate.

This particular car up for grabs retains the 5.0 engine, along with a four-speed automatic gearbox.

So just enjoy the ride, and relax in the sizeable beige velour seats combined with acres of woodgrain vinyl interior trim. Just in case there wasn’t enough of it on the outside already.

“It’s a long way down the holiday road”

The fact that this particular car is a replica of the film version potentially makes it more usable.

You can take it to your local car meet, or even set off on a trip across America to visit a theme park, safe in the knowledge you are not putting a famous movie prop at risk.

Although with any car of this age, there is obviously no satellite navigation fitted. It means you’ll have to rely on your own sense of direction to avoid taking the wrong exit in St Louis, Missouri, for instance.

“I’m from out of town. What’s the bill?”

Buying this replica will certainly mark you out as a serious Chevy Chase fan, but there could be other options to tempt you at the 2019 Palm Beach sale.

The docket is packed with a wealth of exotic and intriguing vehicles. There is even an officially licensed tribute to the Eleanor Mustang, which starred in the Gone in 60 Seconds movie.

However, if your film nostalgia is firmly set on the Family Truckster, lot 375 will be crossing the auction block on Friday April 12 2019.

Spark of interest: used electric car price soars by 50%

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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March 29, 2019

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A one-year-old Renault Zoe is worth almost 50 percent more than it was at the start of 2018, according to figures released by Cap HPI.

An eight percent rise in the month means that the popular EV is a rare example of a car appreciating in value, with Zoe values up by around £5,000. A short supply of used Zoes and an ever-increasing interest in electric cars are the primary contributors to the surprising stat.

Overall, the values of one-year-old electric cars were up 0.1 percent in March, in a market that was down 0.8 percent in the month. Only convertibles and coupe-cabriolets saw an increase, reflecting the seasonal nature of these vehicles.

The used market continued to soften in March with a fall of 0.9 percent at the three-year, 60,000-mile mark. The move follows drops in January and February and an overall decline of 2.1 percent over the first quarter of 2019, and a 3.3 percent negative swing compared to value movements in the same period a year ago.

Commenting on the data, Derren Martin, head of UK valuations at Cap HPI, said: “Despite current economic uncertainty over Brexit, price drops in the used car market cannot be apportioned to this.

“The market has seen prices going up over the last year to 18-months, and there is still a theme of a reluctance to pay high prices and squeeze retail margins. We continue to witness a gentle, downward pricing realignment.”

New or used?

New, Renault Zoe prices start from £18,420 after the government Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), with mandatory battery hire kicking off from £69 per month. The purchase price includes a free domestic wall box fitted at your home address.

Taking a look on Auto Trader, we found a 2018 Renault Zoe Dynamique Nav with just 2,219 miles on the clock for £9,980, although £15,000 appears to be a more realistic price for a year-old Zoe.

UK energy company to build network of 100 ‘Electric Forecourts’

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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March 29, 2019

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Energy company Gridserve has announced plans to build a network of more than 100 ‘Electric Forecourts’ across the UK.

The £1 billion project will “make electric vehicle charging as easy as using petrol stations“, says the firm, with construction expected to start in 2019.

Each ‘Electric Forecourt’ will offer rapid charging at speeds of up to 500kW for cars and light commercial vehicles, with the majority of vehicles charged within 30 minutes. Multi-MW charging points for buses and HGV will also be installed, says the firm.

The sites, designed and engineered in partnership with Arup, will also include a coffee shop, supermarket and an airport-style lounge with high-speed internet, along with what Gridserve is calling an “education centre and hub to explore a broad range of electric vehicle solutions”.

An opportunity to do a little research into electric cars capable of utilising the 500kw rapid-charger, perhaps. The 350kW Porsche Taycan might be the first EV on your shopping list…

‘Electric vehicles are awesome’

Toddington Harper, CEO and founder of Gridserve, said: “We plan to make charging electric vehicles as easy as using petrol stations. The latest generation of electric vehicles are awesome and ready for mainstream adoption, but drivers still worry about if or where they can charge, how long it will take, and what it will cost.

“We plan to eliminate any range or charging anxiety by building a UK-wide network of customer-focused, brand new Electric Forecourts that will make it easier and cheaper to use an electric vehicle than a petrol or diesel alternative.

“Within five years we plan to have more than 100 Electric Forecourts in use, with each supported by solar energy and battery storage. This infrastructure will accelerate the electric vehicle revolution, serve the grid, and help the UK meet climate and clean air targets.”

Gridserve says it has secured 80 sites on busy routes across the UK and, location permitting, will build new solar farms adjacent to the Electric Forecourts to supply their electricity directly.

The company hasn’t said how much it will cost to charge at one of its forecourts, only that the pricing will be “competitive”. It’s planning to introduce a queuing system to minimise waiting times, with customers able to reserve charging slots via a smartphone app.

Construction of the first two sites in York and Hull will begin later this year.

Has the car industry learned nothing from Dieselgate?

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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March 29, 2019

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Given the fallout from the Dieselgate scandal, you’d had thought that the car industry would be doing its utmost to present an image cleaner than a Hyundai Nexo’s tailpipe. But the latest news surrounding WLTP emissions testing suggests this might not be the case.

The European Commission was forced to tighten the test regime following reports that car manufacturers were pushing for higher CO2 emissions. As crazy as this might sound, the carmakers believed that by artificially inflating emissions, future targets would be reduced.

Lobby group Transport and Environment said that car manufacturers were switching off emissions-saving technology in the run-up to the introduction of WLTP testing in September 2018. By using Sport mode instead of Eco mode, and disengaging start-stop, the manufacturers were manipulating the figures.

CO2 emissions rose following the switch from NEDC to WLTP, with Transport and Environment stating that the increase was between one and 81 percent, depending on the manufacturer. The stricter WLTP regime was introduced to deliver more accurate real-world fuel economy and emissions figures.

Now, car manufacturers might be forced to retest selected models to present more accurate figures to the increasingly bewildered car buyers of Europe.

Closing the loopholes

“If carmakers want to sell them in 2020 when WLTP values for 2025 CO2 targets are measured, they either have to prove to their approval authority that they meet the new requirements, or re-homologate,” Julia Poliscanova, clean vehicles and emobility manager at Transport and Europe, told Automotive News Europe.

“It remains to be seen whether or not the new WLTP amendments will have closed all the loopholes. It is something we will be watching closely in the course of this year,” Poliscanova said.

As car manufacturers struggle to meet more stringent CO2 reduction targets, will we see more evidence of clandestine misdemeanours? Watch this space…

Future Jaguars and Land Rovers could prevent coughs and sneezes

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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March 29, 2019

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Future Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) models could stop the spread of colds and flu thanks to the use of ultraviolet light technology (UV-C).

UV-C is used within the medical industry for disinfecting water, filtering air and sterilising surfaces via wavelengths of light between 200-280 nanometers. Now, JLR believes that UV-C could be used within its air conditioning systems to stop bacteria and harmful viruses in their tracks.

Put simply, exposing the bugs to UV-C within the air-con breaks down the molecular structure of their DNA, neutralising them. Clean air is then released into the cabin.

According to JLR, the technology could even help in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs.

Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover chief medical officer, said: “The average motorist spends as much as 300 hours per year behind the wheel. There is a clear opportunity to better utilise cars for administering preventative healthcare.”

“The implementation of individual wellbeing measures as part of our ‘tranquil sanctuary’ research promises to not only improve quality of life for our customers but in this case, offers clear advantages in reducing pathogen spread – protecting the overall population from the threat of disease; particularly as we move towards shared mobility solutions.”

Neutralising pathogens

JLR is already actively seeking to neutralise pathogens in its latest air conditioning units, with the four-zone climate control and cabin air ionisation system using high voltage to create trillions of nano-sized negatively charged particles (ions) coated in water molecules.

These ions deactivate pathogens, forming larger particles that are removed from the air as they are brought back into the filter. As well as combating pathogens, the ions also act upon odour molecules and allergens in a similar way.

Dr Iley said: “In the colder months infections are spread more easily, it’s reassuring to know that in your car at least, you can be confident that harmful pathogens are being neutralised.”

The use of UV-C is just one part of JLR’s vision to create a so-called ‘tranquil sanctuary’ inside its vehicles. In the future, you can expect to emerge from your driverless car feeling energised, relaxed and free of bugs.

Porsches more likely to be clamped, reveals DVLA

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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March 29, 2019

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Around 133,000 vehicles were clamped for being untaxed in the last financial year, including almost 350 prestige cars. “These figures show that it doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you own, whether it’s a sports car, motorhome or even a bus – if you don’t tax it, we’ll clamp it,” said Bethan Beasley of the DVLA. Here, we list the top 15 prestige brands clamped by the DVLA, with the results presented in reverse order.

15. McLaren – one clamped

We should point out that the photos used throughout this gallery are for illustrative purposes – we’re not pointing our virtual fingers at a particular car or its owner. Imagine owning a McLaren and then ‘forgetting’ to tax it. Madness.

14. Lincoln – one clamped

Let’s be honest, if you drive a Lincoln, you’re going to stand out on the streets of Britain. So it’s probably a good idea to tax it. “It’s never been easier to tax your car – it’s just a few clicks to do it online and you can do it 24 hours a day. Don’t take the risk – it just isn’t worth it,” said Bethan Beasley.

13. Hummer – one clamped

We don’t know what’s more alarming: the fact that a Hummer owner forgot to renew the tax or the revelation that the DVLA has a clamp large enough for one of these bad boys. We’re talking about the Hummer – we’re sure the guys in this photo wouldn’t dream of getting up to no good. Cool press pic, Geoffrey.

12. TVR – three clamped

More devious members of the motoring press might take a cheap swipe at TVR’s reliability record, saying something along the lines of the cars not being on the road long enough to warrant the tax. Not us, though. We believe that such jokes are as dated as end-of-the-pier entertainers.

11. Lotus – four clamped

Four Lotus sports cars were clamped for being untaxed. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra topped the table, with the DVLA clamping 6,000 of each model. Curiously, 63 London taxis were clamped.

10. Ferrari – seven clamped

The DVLA clamped seven Ferraris last year. In 2017, a Ferrari 456 hit the headlines after its owner left it untaxed on a street near Harrods. It was parked for two years before the DVLA clamped it.

9. Rolls-Royce – eight clamped

In February, the DVLA launched a new ‘tax it or lose it’ advertising campaign targeted at the areas of the UK where tax dodging is highest. Last week, it was revealed that 9,000 vehicles have been clamped since the start of the campaign.

8. Aston Martin – eight clamped

A whopping 27,605 vehicles were clamped in London in 2018, with a further 94,550 motorists receiving a fine or penalty. A total of eight Aston Martins were clamped. Poor show, Mr Bond.

7. Triumph – ten clamped

The inclusion of Triumph is a useful reminder that even though historic vehicles are exempt from payment, you still need to apply for vehicle excise duty (VED)

6. Tesla – 10 clamped

Since the changes to the rates of VED in 2017, new Teslas have been subject to the surcharge on premium vehicles. This is levied on cars that cost more than £40,000 and payable for five years from year two. The rate is rising from £310 to £320 in April 2019.

5. Cadillac – 19 clamped

We’ve been looking for an excuse to use this photo of a Cadillac Seville STS parked alongside a helicopter for a while, and thanks to the 19 people who forget to renew their tax, the day has finally come.

4. Bentley – 20 clamped

In February, Man City star Riyad Mahrez had his Bentley Bentayga clamped after traffic wardens spotted it wasn’t taxed. We wonder how many of the 20 Bentleys clamped by the DVLA were owned by Premier League footballers.

3. Maserati – 23 clamped

The owner of this Maserati needs to be careful because the traffic warden behind looks armed and dangerous. In other news, hasn’t the Quattroporte aged beautifully?

2. Abarth – 28 clamped

A total of 28 Abarths were clamped last year. Next, we reveal the most clamped prestige car of last year…

1. Porsche – 199 clamped

It’s Porsche, with a huge 199 vehicles clamped by the DVLA. That’s more than Proton, Perodua and Reliant combined. Oops.

‘Clock change kills people,’ say road safety experts in support of EU proposal

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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March 28, 2019

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The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is supporting the European Parliament’s proposal to stop the obligatory one-hour changing of the clocks twice a year.

In the UK, the clocks go forward one hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March, then back again at 2am on the last Sunday in October. The period when the clocks are one hour ahead is called British Summer Time (BST), but when the clocks go back, the country reverts to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The European proposal would call time on the twice-yearly clock change from 2021, with member states required to choose either permanent summer time or winter time. RoSPA is pointing to the “marked spike in the number of vulnerable road users killed and seriously injured” when the clocks go back as a reason to make BST permanent.

According to Department for Transport figures, pedestrian deaths rose from 37 in September 2017 to 46 in October, 63 in November and 50 in December.

‘We know that the clock change kills people’

RoSPA chief executive Errol Taylor said: “Clock changes were first introduced in 1916 to reflect the needs of a nation at war. However, our priority now should be the prevention [of] road accidents that cause serious injury and death.

“We know that the clock change kills people. During the working week, casualty rates peak at 8am and 10am and 3pm and 7pm, with the afternoon peak being higher. Road casualty rates increase with the arrival of darker evenings and worsening weather conditions.

“And it is vulnerable road users – such as children on their way home from school and cyclists – who would experience the most benefit. Currently, vulnerable road users have far higher fatality rates per billion passenger miles, and these rates increased for both pedestrians and motorcyclists in 2017. Anything we can do to bring these rates down has to be worth it.

“While we respect the views of those that want to keep the current system, we must not lose sight of the fact that lives are at stake.”

Daylight Savings Time (DST) has been compulsory in the EU since 2001 and is aimed at making the internal market work more efficiently while reducing energy costs. But there’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that the energy savings are marginal and the clock changes are having a negative effect on human health.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said “There is no applause when EU law dictates that Europeans have to change the clocks twice a year. Clock-changing must stop. Member states should themselves decide whether their citizens live in summer or winter time.”

As an added benefit, this would bring an end to the twice-yearly routine of trying to figure out how to change the clock in your car…

Seat’s £185 in-car coffee maker ‘could save Brits £1,800 a year’

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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March 28, 2019

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Anyone for coffee? “Mii, please,” said somebody at Spanish car giant Seat, before muttering something about the wonderful Arona of fresh coffee. Terrible coffee-based puns aside, Seat reckons this in-car coffee machine could save motorists more than £1,800 a year in coffee shop bills.

We tested the Handpresso coffee-making device back in 2016 and we were mightily impressed. But with the benefit of hindsight, the “life-changing” claim may have been a little overblown – the machine has spent the past 18 months in a cupboard, wedged between a spiraliser and a bread-maker.

Coffee Homeground

Priced at £185, the Handpresso comes with two glasses and is powered via a 12v socket. Seat says it will fit neatly into the cupholders of any its models, but other cupholders are available. Power it up, and the Handpresso will dispense 50ml of fresh espresso in three minutes.

Over the course of a year, the Handpresso will cost an estimated £405, which is a lot less than the £2,210 spent per year by the nation’s coffee lovers. There’s also the added benefit of not queuing up in your favourite coffee shop.

The Caffeine Kick Inside

The idea of an in-car coffee machine is nothing new. Indeed, the Handpresso in the Fiat 500L was a proper job (and one of the few things we liked about the car).

Fortunately, Seat’s range of cars is more convincing and includes the new Tarraco seven-seat SUV and hardcore Leon Cupra R ST. Buy the fastest ever Seat and you might not need the caffeine hit.

If you do, the Handpresso is available from any Seat dealer and comes with a 12-month warranty and 15 espresso pods. We’re off to give ourselves a roasting for all those shocking puns.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS sets new production car lap record at Road Atlanta

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John Redfern

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March 27, 2019

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Porsche has laid claim to another record with its 700hp 911 GT2 RS, notching up the fastest production car lap around the Road Atlanta circuit.

Covering the twisting 2.54-mile course in just 1min 24.88sec, the 911 shaved almost 1.7 seconds from the previous record.

This time of 1min 26.54sec was recorded by a Dodge Viper ACR in 2015, as part of an incredible 13 fastest laps achieved by the V10-powered supercar.

We imagine Porsche will be rather pleased with the result, given its North American headquarters are located just 60 miles from Road Atlanta.

Racing driver and writer Randy Pobst was responsible for wrestling the GT2 RS to its latest lap record.

Pobst clearly has form with the car, using it to set new production lap records at both Laguna Seca and Willow Springs International Raceway in 2018.

To validate the authenticity of the lap times, Pobst shared driving duties with professional racing driver David Donohue. The son of motorsport legend Mark Donohue, David has taken time-attack wins for Porsche at the annual Pikes Peak hill climb event.

Powered by a 3.8-litre turbocharged flat-six engine, the GT2 RS was the most powerful road-going Porsche 911 when first introduced in 2017.

A seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox is standard, and allows a top speed of 211mph, plus 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds.

Last year, a modified version of the 911 GT2 RS reclaimed the production lap record at the Nürburgring.

Although now officially out of production, Porsche has had to temporarily restart building the GT2 RS. The unexpected move came following the sinking of a ship carrying four of the £250,000 cars to customers in South America.