This summer’s heatwave might have had drivers reaching for their sunglasses, but prescription eyewear might be more appropriate for some.

The DVLA is seeking to remind drivers that they need to meet the minimum eyesight standards at all times. To do this, a campaign throughout the summer will aim to raise awareness, and remind drivers of the basic level their vision must meet.

Worryingly, some 50% of UK drivers are not even aware of the standards they are expected to meet for eyesight whilst out on the roads. Many may not have bothered to check since passing their driving test – potentially decades ago for some of the 48 million drivers on the road.

For those in need of a reminder, the basic test for drivers is if they can read a standard car number plate from 20 metres (65 feet) away. For those who don’t carry a tape measure around with them at all times, this is equivalent to around five car lengths.

DVLA figures show that 50,000 drivers having had their driving licence revoked or refused between 2012 and 2016 due to their eyesight. Some 3,000 accidents a year have also been linked to vision impairment.

Drivers can potentially be prosecuted for failing to meet those minimum standards. As such, the DVLA is encouraging drivers to see an optician should they be worried about their vision.

Furthering the message is the Driving Blind campaign, backed by road safety organisations including the FIA and GEM Motoring Assist.

This includes a petition to press for legislation to require drivers to undergo eye tests every ten years, along with a field of vision assessment.

McLaren has launched a certification scheme for its iconic F1 supercar. F1 Certified aims to document the originality, service record, competition history and condition of the 106 F1s – 64 road cars and 28 racers – built between 1993 and 1998.

The first car to get factory-approved sign is the one-off F1 GTR ‘25R’, revealed today at London’s Concours of Elegance. Restored to ‘as new’ condition by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), it will be on display at Hampton Court Palace until 2 September.

Each F1 Certified car gets a certificate of authenticity, confirming its provenance with reference to the factory archives. Owners also receive a bespoke illustrated book documenting their particular F1. Much like Ferrari’s Classiche scheme, having the official thumbs-up from McLaren should boost the car’s value, too. 

“Even among F1 GTRs, this car, designated ‘25R’, is unique – and now it is as near to being new as we can make it,” said Ansar Ali, Managing Director, MSO. “The car is the exemplar of everything that the new certification programme stands for and we are proud to have 25R as the very first McLaren F1 Certified car.”

The 25R F1 GTR Longtail was the last F1 to compete in-period and has a rich racing heritage. Its highlight was the 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours, where it was driven by Ray Bellm, Andrew Gilbert-Scott and Masanori Sekiya. Sadly, 22 hours in, its race ended in retirement after an oil leak and subsequent fire. 

MSO has painstakingly returned the car to the exact same specification – including Gulf Racing livery – as that 1997 Le Mans race. This includes tall Le Mans gearing for high speeds on the Mulsanne straight, plus blue roof identification lights that were originally fitted to an aircraft wing.

The 25R was later sold to a team in Japan where it raced until 2005. At the Fuji Speedway that year it was the last F1 GTR to compete in a contemporary (non-classic) race series.

After years sitting idle in a Japanese car collection, it returned to the UK in 2016. The subsequent restoration included old-stock GTR parts ‘stored at the factory in containers last opened 20 years ago’.

“McLaren cherishes its rich heritage of iconic and world-beating cars such as the F1,” said CEO, Mike Flewitt. “Maintaining the integrity of these historically significant cars is paramount and F1 Certified will play a big role in allowing us to do that for the peace of mind of owners today as well as preserving a wonderful heritage for future generations of car lovers.”

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Gran Turismo Sport has received a free 1.25 version update, which includes the Red Bull Ring circuit, as well as eight superb additions to the cars available to race.

The list of cars in the update is a tribute to the variety that gamers love in Gran Turismo. Which other title bundles a JDM Amuse Honda S2000 tuner special in with a Shelby Daytona Cobra? 

The historic racers

We get a hot and heavy dose of classic American racing power in this update, with the Shelby Daytona Cobra coupe and the Le Mans-winning Ford MKIV. Both are just as at home ripping their way up the Mulsanne straight as they are sat pretty on a concours lawn. You can drive both in the new Nostalgic 1979 historic racing league.

The iconic classics

The original Mini and VW Beetle are joined by… a Bertone-bodied Abarth 1500 Biposto. Yup, this coachbuilt classic probably won’t be up to much as a racer, but we can’t think of many prettier cars to fully take advantage of Gran Turismo Sport’s stunning graphics and epic photo mode. You can race the Beetle in the new ‘Beetle and Samba Bus Fest’ event, which comes with the update.

The Italian hot hatches

Granted, they come from two very different eras and were forged in very different fires. Nevertheless, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione and Abarth 500 share that Italian fizz that is so hard to quantify.

The monster JDM tuner

The odd one out has no fear of solitude as, for many, it’ll be the star of the show. The Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo is an animalistic refugee of the mad Japanese tuner era. Be-winged and boosted up to the eyeballs, this S2K turbo is a tōge-destroying monster. A proper Gran Turismo car.

Other new game features

As well as the aforementioned Nostalgic 1979 and Beetle and Samba Bus Fest, the Group 3 Cup adds to the line-up of new events.

A ‘Sport mode’ archive and internet connection quality check are two new facilities added, while Cuba has been added to the special featured section (Delta HF pictured there above).

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Latest UK car manufacturing data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows a dramatic 35 percent decline in the amount of British-built cars purchased by Brits in July 2018.

Export figures slipped slightly too, by 4.2 percent, resulting in an 11 percent drop in British-built cars in July.

The SMMT blames model changes and preparation for the upcoming new WLTP fuel economy regulations.

As for the UK decline, the SMMT points to “a particularly strong July in 2017”. This time last year, several new model introductions saw monthly figures grow by 17.7 percent. 

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes also warned people not to be too alarmed by the July figures. “While the industry is undoubtedly feeling the effects of recent uncertainty in the domestic market, drawing long term conclusions from monthly snapshots requires a health warning.

“The bigger picture is complex and month by month fluctuations are inevitable as manufacturers manage product cycles, operational changes and the delicate balance of supply and demand from market to market.”

The decline in Brits buying home-built cars is still striking though: the July total fell to less than 20,000 cars, compared with exports of over 101,000 models. 

Exports now make up 84 percent of overall British car production, with more than 8 in 10 going to Europe.

Because of this, Hawes sounded another warning to UK politicians. “To ensure future growth, we need political and economic clarity at home, and the continuation of beneficial trading arrangements with the EU and other key markets.”

Year to date, just under 1 million cars have been built in Britain, a 4.4 percent decline over this time last year.

The UK car industry, added the SMMT, “remains broadly on track to meet 2018 expectations”. 

Vespa has been making scooters since 1946 and is arguably the world’s most famous manufacturer of iconic urban motorcycles. 

Now, it’s taking the retro machine into the 21st century with the launch of a zero-emissions, all-electric scooter called the Vespa Elettrica. 

Boasting a range of 62 miles and better performance than the 50cc petrol-powered alternative, Piaggio, makers of the Vespa scooter, says it’s tailor-made for urban riding. 

What’s more, with a remarkable torque figure of 147lb ft, it has pulling power the equal of a 125hp Ford Fiesta 1.0-litre Ecoboost, giving “brilliant” response and acceleration away from the line.

When riders slow down, it recharges the battery – Vespa’s calling it an F1-style KERS system, but really it’s just a regular battery-electric regen function.

Because the scooter is so lightweight, it can get away with using a tiny 4.2 kW lithium ion battery. Even using a regular domestic socket, the charge time is four hours: it will be faster still with higher-capacity public chargers. 

Vespa says the battery should remain in peak condition for 1,000 full charging cycles, which equates to around 43,000 miles or 10 years of use. Even then, it will still have 80 percent of its capacity remaining. 

The battery is located beneath the helmet compartment, so the Vespa Elettrica can still swallow a helmet safely when parked up.

Vespa Elettrica X

That’s not all. If you do need more range, the firm’s revealed a range-extender scooter, called the Vespa Elettrica X.

This combines a tiny petrol-powered generator, a three-litre fuel tank and a smaller battery pack: it will do 31 miles under full electric drive, then another 93 miles with the generator, giving a total range of almost 125 miles.

It’s “ideal for out of town riding,” says Vespa.

Both scooters come with a 4.3-inch TFT colour display, including a multimedia system that connects to smartphones. Vespa’s also developed a smartphone app that riders can use to see incoming calls and messages within the display.

The new Vespa Elettrica scooter range will go in sale in October, initially in Italy, before expanding to Europe. Sales will then expand to North America and Asia from early 2019.

Prices? Still to be confirmed. But don’t expect a retro price tag for this all-electric Vespa scooter…

Aston Martin has confirmed its intention to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange.

News of its intention to float comes as the British sports car firm announces an 8 percent rise in revenues and a 14 percent increase in profit.

Aston Martin to reveal £5 billion IPO stock market float

“Today’s announcement represents a key milestone in the history of the company,” said Dr. Andy Palmer, president and CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda (pictured above).

Aston Martin, he said, has “the resources and balance sheet strength to continue delivering on our growth strategy. Today’s results show we have continued to deliver sustainable growth, margins and value for our shareholders”.

It’s the perfect time to announce plans for an IPO, believes the firm.

Dr. Palmer’s business strategy is called the Second Century plan. Since launching it in 2015, the firm “has been transformed into a luxury business focused on creating the world’s most beautiful high-performance cars.

“Our strategy is being implemented by an experienced management team that launched breakthrough new models, increased our brand value and built important partnerships in the luxury sector.”

Medium-term plans include boosting the company’s profit margin to more than 20 percent.

The potential Aston Martin IPO will offer eligible employees and customers the opportunity to buy shares at the offer price. Daimler AG, which currently holds a stake of 4.9 percent in the firm, will remain as a shareholder.

Around 25 percent of the company is expected to float – and it’s predicted the company could be valued at up to £5 billion.

A full prospectus will be published on 20 September.