These days, it isn’t hard to find a new car with DAB digital radio fitted as standard. Even the £7,795 Dacia Sandero Essential offers DAB, while the now-commonplace smartphone integration has made it even easier to listen to your favourite music or radio station on the move.

However, what if you have no intention of splashing out on a new car, but want to upgrade your existing audio system? If you’re after digital radio with the added benefit of Spotify music streaming, the Pure Highway 400 might be the answer.

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The Highway 400 costs £139.99 and is Pure’s mid-range in-car solution, offering digital radio, Bluetooth music streaming, a wireless display and smartphone voice assistant. For an additional £20, you can upgrade to the Highway 600, which offers hands-free calling.

Yes, you can buy DAB head units for upwards of £99, but a Highway system works with your existing audio system, which might be an important consideration if you hope to retain the OEM look or the present system is an irregular size.

Wired for sound

The flipside is that you’re left with a wireless controller fastened to your dashboard and an antenna attached to the windscreen. Also, depending on the quality of your DIY install, you may have to live with a few exposed wires, but more on this in a moment.

Not that the Highway 400 is an unattractive device. In common with Pure’s range of household digital radios, the battery-powered wireless controller looks neat and obtrusive, while the OLED screen is clear and crisp, regardless of whether it’s night or day.

The system comes with a chunky instruction manual – but fear not, because only the first 22 pages are English. You will need to read it because while the installation is straightforward, it’s important to follow the instructions. Get it wrong and you risk not optimising the digital reception. Worse still, it might fail to function entirely.

It’s not worth running through the entire installation as part of this review, but there are some key things to note. Firstly, the antenna must be positioned as high as possible on the windscreen and at least 4cm from the side of the screen.

The magnetic grounding tail slots through the tap between the roof liner and the roof and needs to touch the bodywork. I chose my £100 Renault Laguna as the lucky recipient of this DAB upgrade and, if I’m honest, I’d have liked the antenna to sit closer to the A-pillar. It’s not a fault of the system, merely my inability to find a magnetic connection.

Aside from that, I’m delighted with the results. The lead is long enough to pull around the inside of the top of the A-pillar, down through the inside of the rubber door seal, behind the glovebox and centre console, and out through the ashtray. It’s a tidy job.

Power to all our friends

There are two ways to connect to the wireless controller: either using the aux-in socket – which is the recommended way – or via the FM radio. The Laguna doesn’t have an aux-in socket, so the Highway system is broadcasting the DAB signal on 87.6MHz.

The Highway name appears on the Laguna’s OEM display – at least it does when the car’s screen is functioning correctly – before being replaced by the name of the radio station. Save the Highway as a preset and it will make it easy to find if you’ve switched to another FM station.

Assuming the installation has been done correctly, the receiver will pick up the available digital stations within seconds and you’ll have filled the 20 presets in no time at all. It really is that easy.

The buttons are a little small and tightly packed together, but the central dial makes it easy to switch between stations and songs. Speaking of which, thanks to the Pure Highway 400, the Laguna now benefits from in-car Spotify. Who needs Apple CarPlay?

You’ll need a premium account to use the music streaming service, but connecting is easy. You simply download the Pure Go app, login to your Spotify account, and connect to the wireless receiver via Bluetooth.

The sound quality isn’t as crisp and clear as when listening to the radio – there’s a noticeable ‘hiss’ between songs – but it’s good (not to mention a legal requirement) to access Spotify or other apps without touching your smartphone. The songs are displayed on the wireless controller, and you can skip tracks and select playlists via the buttons.

You can even hit a ‘Go’ button if you hear a song on the radio and you want to add it to your playlist. I can’t tell you if this feature is any good, because I tend to listen to Radio 5 Live, where music tends to be off the menu. If I’m honest, I don’t think it’s something I’d ever use.

Do you want to dance?

Overall, I’m delighted with the Highway 400. I felt pretty smug about the quality of my install – the fact that the wires are almost completely hidden behind the dashboard is a bonus. I also like the way they feed in from behind the ashtray and are therefore hidden away when the lid is closed.

The size of the power adaptor means that the lid cannot be closed when the digital radio is in use, but when I leave the car I simply unplug it, put the adaptor in the ashtray and tuck the wire into the space next to the cigarette lighter. Crucially, the adaptor has two USB ports, meaning you can keep your phone on charge when on the move.

So far, the digital radio reception hasn’t been quite as good as I’ve found when using OEM systems. There are the usual DAB dead zones in rural Devon, but the Highway 400 seems to drop out earlier and reconnect later than the other systems. 

Other gripes? The antenna and aerial look a tad unsightly on the windscreen of my otherwise, ahem, immaculate £100 Laguna, and thanks to the unique way in which the dashboard is sculpted and finished, I could only find one place to mount the wireless controller bracket. French cars, eh?

For me, it adds a little extra to the £100 Laguna. I have simple desires – Radio 5 Live and Spotify are enough for me – so this ticks two boxes. Whether or not it represents good value for money at £40 more than the price of the car is up to you. Personally, I like it.

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The colour of their new car is one of the biggest choices motorists can make. It’s something most of us spend ages agonising over, staring endlessly at brochures or clicking constantly at the online configurator. For years, the top colours have therefore been seen as a reflection of the mood of the nation.

And in 2018, it seems we’re feeling rather glum and sober, based on the choices of our new car colour as ranked by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Let’s run through the favourite shades of Britain’s best-selling cars, then, before looking at the best-selling new car colour overall at the end.

Kia Sportage: white

The Kia Sportage was the 10^th best-selling new car in Britain last year, with over 35,000 new models finding homes. The top choice of colour was white – perfect for bringing out the facelifted car’s crisp lines and LED-accented front end.

Ford Kuga: grey

Another SUV in the top 10, Ford Kuga buyers preferred grey. Called Magnetic, it’s interestingly a so-called ‘exclusive’ colour, costing £750 – regular metallic paint on the Kuga is £600.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: black

The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class was launched in 2018 and, like many a Merc, the favourite new car colour pick for Brits was black. Because any Mercedes-Benz looks great in black, we fully approve of this.

Mini: grey

Mini buyers are cheery sorts, but even they seem to have been swayed by the glum mood in Britain last year. There are umpteen bright shades on offer in the range, but our favourite was still grey.

Volkswagen Polo: black

The Volkswagen Polo is another new car for 2018, and another model in which Brits preferred it in black. We must say, though, based on the image above, it does look pretty good in black, doesn’t it?

Ford Focus: blue

The Ford Focus was also new in 2018 and we also fully endorse Brits’ pick of blue as their favourite colour. Chrome Blue is a more subtle shade but we particularly like the Desert Island Blue pictured above – it really pops.

Nissan Qashqai: black

Back to black for the Nissan Qashqai. The Sunderland factory has an excellent paint shop so it looks just as rich as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, we reckon.

Vauxhall Corsa: grey

The ageing Vauxhall Corsa is currently being sold in special edition Griffin guise, in which the feature colour is red. This may sway things for 2019, but for 2018, the moodier shade of grey was top choice.

Volkswagen Golf: grey

The sensible, sober-suited Volkswagen Golf was yet another car that was most popular painted in grey. VW offers two shades – Urano Grey is actually free, and Indium Grey metallic is £580.

Ford Fiesta: grey

Our favourite new car by far in 2018 was the Ford Fiesta. And the colour we chose above all for it was, yes, grey. Again, Ford’s grey is called Magnetic, an exclusive colour that costs £650, as pictured here on the exceptional new Ford Fiesta ST.

Grey day

And the best-selling new car colour in 2018 overall? It’s perhaps no surprise to read it is grey. Perhaps reflecting the mood of the nation, the many shades of grey beat the previous top colour, black, into second place. It’s the first time grey has topped the charts, reports the SMMT.  

So let’s cheer things up a little: we may all be feeling a little grey, but if it means picking a racy McLaren 600LT like the one pictured above, we reckon we’d soon cheer up once we got behind the wheel…

With car thefts rising across the country, a new group has been formed by policing minister Nick Hurd to take action.

The taskforce intends to emulate the recent successes seen in London across the rest of the UK. A similar model in the capital was able to reduced moped-related crime by a third, with the police taking bold tactics to stop criminals.

Plans are in place for the new vehicle theft taskforce to publish a new nationwide action plan, and also ensure best practice is shared between partners.

A shocking increase in car crime has prompted the new taskforce. Across the country, vehicle crime has risen by 7 per cent in the past twelve months alone, ‘leaving no community unaffected’.

Attendees at the first meeting included representatives from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Association of British Insurers, and West Midlands Police.

Theft of vehicles has risen after decades of decline. I have convened a cross sector task force to develop a new plan to prevent & disrupt increasingly organised crime.Thx to @PoliceChiefs @WMPolice @MOPACLdn @CITS_UK @BritishInsurers @ThatchamRsrch @WestMidsPCC for input pic.twitter.com/r57id3DJPc

— Nick Hurd (@NickHurdUK) January 15, 2019

Underground chop shops and relay thefts driving crime

The inclusion of West Midlands Police is significant, as the force area has suffered a staggering 100 per cent increase in vehicle thefts during the past four years.

A network of ‘chop shops’ – illegal garages repairing written-off cars with parts from stolen vehicles – has been blamed by the force for fuelling the increase in thefts. Cars can be specifically stolen to order, with high-end vehicles the most profitable.

Keyless entry ‘relay attacks’ have also been described as an ‘epidemic’ by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. These thefts allow criminals to steal cars without using the keys, with equipment available online for relatively low prices.

‘Swift and decisive action’

Whilst chairing the first meeting of the taskforce, Policing Minister Nick Hurd said: “We are determined to take swift and decisive action on emerging crime threats. With rates of vehicle theft increasing, I am keen to ensure everything is being done to prevent these crimes”.

Part of the challenge for the new taskforce will be tackling a problem which has spread across the country. Whilst the surge in moped crime was primarily focused on London, chop shops and relay thefts are an issue facing almost all police forces. 

The taskforce aims to improve standards in vehicle security, along with investigating how best to prevent criminals from exploiting the salvage process for written-off cars. It is due to meet again in six months’ time.

Gran Turismo Sport players are set to receive a late Christmas present, with a host of new cars and bonus content.

Rolling out on 17th January 2019, Update 1.32 includes eight cars handpicked by Polyphony Digital, along with the return of an epic circuit to race them on.

There are also the regular additions of new championships and competitions, a new photo location, plus minor tweaks and bug fixes for the PlayStation game.

Curated for the masses

Polyphony has billed the octet of cars as being some of ‘the most popular cars in the world’ according to GT Sport players. It’s a bold claim, but looking at the list it’s hard to see any which would not feature as a top pick.

There is classic American muscle, to high-revving Japanese street racers, and everything in between with this latest update. The full list of cars is:

• 1953 Aston Martin DB3S
• 1956 Porsche 356 356 A/1500 GS GT Carrera Speedster
• 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350
• 1971 Ferrari Dino 246 GT
• 1998 Honda Integra Type-R (DC2)
• 2000 TVR Tuscan Speed Six
• 2001 BMW Z8
• 2007 Nissan Fairlady Z Version S

As with every GT Sport update, the cars have been beautifully modelled, featuring exquisitely detailed interiors, and the ability to tune and modify each car as you so desire.

Taking the long way around

The new circuit added in Update 1.32 certainly sees GT Sport gamers getting value for money. At over 30km long, Special Stage Route X will be familiar to anyone who has played previous iterations of the Gran Turismo franchise.

It may only feature two corners, but with the longest straight measuring some 12km this is the track to find out what the ultimate highest speed is for the cars in your virtual garage.

A new GT League ‘Z Heritage’ event sees Nissan’s Z-cars battle it out on track, whilst other existing championships gain new rounds.

Wait, what about those playing Forza Horizon 4 on Xbox One?

Sony PlayStation fans are not the only gamers getting free racing content this month. Microsoft’s Forza Horizon 4 also sees extra features, and seven special Mitsubishi models, added for free.

The Japanese brand had been notably absent from the open-world racing game, causing problems for those who needed a Lancer Evo to race against a Subaru Impreza. Now they have a choice of four Evolution versions, plus other performance Mitsubishi offerings.

New challenges and bonus content also play a part in the latest update.

McLaren has announced full details of the new 600LT Spider, following a brief teaser earlier this month.

Becoming the fifth McLaren model to wear the renowned Longtail badge, this new LT joins forebearers like the Le Mans-winning F1 GTR. MR’s very own Tim Pitt pronounced the 600LT Coupe as the best driver’s car of 2018, meaning this Spider version has serious expectations to meet.

The 600LT Spider also marks an important milestone for McLaren, becoming the third car under its £1.2billion ‘Track25’ business plan. Augmented technology and hybrid power are key to Track25, but for now it’s all about the new uncompromising Spider.

No compromises with unlimited headroom

Following the formula established by recent Longtail family members, the 600LT Spider reduces weight and adds power over the 570S Spider on which it is based.

Like the Coupe version, the twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 produces 600hp, with an accompanying 457lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch ‘SSG’  transmission channels power to the real wheels, with even faster shifts with ‘Sport’ mode engaged.

Despite an additional 50kg in weight compared to the fixed-roof Coupe version, a total kerb weight of 1,297kg means those going topless will not lose out on performance. A 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds for the Spider is identical to the Coupe, whilst 0-124mph is just 0.2 seconds slower at 8.4 seconds.

With the retractable roof raised, top speed is a more than sufficient 201mph. Leave the top down and you’ll be pegged to ‘just’ 196mph. Both figures are achingly close to the 204mph terminal velocity of the Coupe.

Top-exit exhausts shoot for the sky

Just like the Coupe model, the 600LT Spider has the same impressive top-exit exhaust system aiming for the heavens. However, McLaren Chief Executive Mike Flewitt is happy to confirm that “they sound and look even better with the roof or rear window of the Spider lowered!”

The roof can be raised or lowered at speeds of up to 25mph, with McLaren stating the solid three-piece construction allows it to be more secure at speed than a fabric alternative. More impressive is that the 600LT Spider requires no additional strengthening compared to the Coupe model.

Going roofless has also meant no compromises when it comes to track-focussed aerodynamics. Carbon fibre bodywork, and an identical fixed rear wing, means the Spider generates the same 100kg of downforce at 155mph as the Coupe.

How extreme do you want to go?

Opting for the Spider does not mean any compromise when it comes to interior options. Customers can choose to remove the sound system and climate control, helping save additional weight.

Buyers can also specify the Super-Lightweight carbon fibre seats as offered in the McLaren Senna. Even leaving the standard seats in place means sitting in ones initially designed for the P1 hypercar – hardly a poor compromise.

As with other McLaren products, the choice to go wild with the options list will also be available. The MSO Clubsport package can be added, bringing in more carbon fibre components.

Act now, supplies are running out!

Demand for previous Longtail McLarens has been unprecedented, with the 675LT Coupe and Spider models selling out within two weeks. Even with a starting price of £201,500, there seems little chance of the 600LT Spider not following the same trend.

Numbers built will be limited, with build slots planned around production of regular Sports and Super Series cars. The time to start hassling your closest McLaren is now if you want a chance of grabbing one.

Whether you are thinking of placing an order, or just dreaming, the online configurator is now live for the 600LT Spider. Be sure to share your own custom creations with us below!

Kia sold its first car in Britain back in 1991. Less than three decades later, it’s celebrating again, with the sale of the 1 millionth car in the UK.

The original UK Kia was the budget Pride, a rebadged version of an elderly Mazda. The landmark 1 millionth sale shows how things have moved on: it was a Sportage GT-Line, Kia’s upmarket SUV that last year entered the UK top 10 best sellers chart.

Kia dealer Flear and Thompson of Dunfermline had the honour of delivering the 1 millionth British Kia, to Dr. Fergus Duncan. Kia UK president and chief executive Paul Philpott called it “a remarkable milestone.

“The Kia brand started in the UK with sensible, budget-focused vehicles but during the last decade in particular our customer-base has grown on the back of outstanding design, unmatchable quality and the reassurance of our industry-leading seven year warranty.

“I don’t know just when we will reach the 2 million mark, but we are all looking forward to the journey.”

Motoring Research is happy to have a guess on Philpott’s behalf, though: last year, it sold 95,764 cars, an all-time record. Its current rate of sales means the 2 million British sales could be reached by 2030, if not sooner. 

It’s quite the contrast from Kia’s first year in Britain. 1991 sales totalled 1,786 Prides (pictured above) and it took the firm 10 years to reach 50,000 sales. 

Today, it sells that many cars in just six months.

Kia’s mix has changed significantly since its early days. The Pride was a value car whose spiritual successor is the Picanto – but today, that’s only Kia’s second best-selling model overall in the UK, with 191,926 sales.

By far the most popular Kia in Britain is the Sportage, with sales of almost 242,000 since its launch back in 1995. Within weeks, the firm will be celebrating the quarter-millionth Sportage to be sold in the UK. 

From budget brand to family favourite in less than 30 years. That’s certainly something for Kia to take pride in.

BMW has revealed the facelifted 2019 7 Series and you’re going to have no trouble picking it out from the outgoing model thanks to its massive new kidney grille. 

Continuing the theme of the BMW X7 and new X5, this is a facelift in the most literal sense (the height of the front end is up 50mm to accommodate the grille), although the surgeon carrying out the work appears not to have the subtlest of techniques. 

BMW says it gives the new 7 Series a “confident presence” and makes a “clear statement of intent”. Quite; it’s also calculated the kidney grille has a 40 per cent greater surface area, making it a “dominant force” that contrasts with headlights that are actually slimmer. The BMW roundel is bigger too, and the new bonnet has sharper contours.

New bumpers front and rear give a sleeker look, and the rear lamps are 35mm slimmer than the old car. BMW’s particularly proud of the slim light bar that runs beneath the chrome strip on the boot; it’s just 6mm wide.

Inside, it’s become more luxurious and sumptuous. Quilted Nappa leather is now available, and new trim insert strips include American Oak Dark and Poplar Grain Metallic. A new steering wheel has modified, more straightforward multifunction buttons.

The new 7 is quieter as well; the side glass and rear window are thicker, and BMW has revised the rear wheelarches, B-pillars and seatbelt outlet covers to cut noise levels. Perfect for letting those in the rear enjoy the optional new touchscreen HD displays.

Engines are all-new (and all WLTP Euro 6d-TEMP-compliant). The irrelevant range-topper remains the 6.6-litre V12 M760Li xDrive, which offers 585hp to the handful of people who will buy it. BMW has also boosted the 4.4-litre V8 in the 750Li xDrive by a substantial 80hp up to 530hp. 

But the best-sellers will have fewer cylinders. Expected to be popular is the revised plug-in hybrid 7 Series, the 745e, 745Le and 745Le xDrive. A six-cylinder engine is now fitted, paired with a more powerful high-voltage battery, giving 394hp and CO2 emissions as low as 49g/km. The realistic all-electric driving range is between 31 and 36 miles, says BMW. 

The key car will likely remain the 730d diesel though; it produces 265hp, emits as little as 138g/km and will do up to 53.3mpg. 

Other upgrades include the new BMW Operating System 7.0 for onboard infotainment, an upgraded digital instrument cluster and Control Display, and a clever new Reversing Assistant that takes the pain out of parking a car that, in long-wheelbase guise, stretches 5,260mm. 

We look forward to finding out more about how BMW has improved a former World Luxury Car of the Year winner, and how much it will charge. For now, though, it’s all eyes on the enlarged grille… let us know what you make of it in the comments below.