New car sales across Europe recorded their highest running total of the century during the first half of 2018, new data from JATO has revealed. 8.66 million new cars hit the road in the first six months, a rise of 2.7 percent.

This is despite a stiff 6.3 percent decline in the UK, Europe’s second-biggest market for new car sales. Strong growth in Germany, France and Spain helped offset this, particularly the former: Germany is by far the biggest new car market in Europe, with over three million sales a year.

And what type of car are Europeans clamouring to buy? Why, SUVs, of course – they are the region’s favourite type of vehicle by a large and growing majority.

SUV sales now comprise a third of new car sales in Europe, with the next-best sector, superminis, way behind on 20.4 percent. SUV sales have grown by 24 percent so far in 2018… and in June, they were up 30 percent.

Of the 2.92 million SUVs sold so far in 2018, the fastest growing sub-sector is small SUVs. 1.08 million of them found new homes. 1.24 million compact and 455,200 midsize SUVs were sold, although the luxury SUV sector did actually fall 9 percent, with sales down to 141,000.

As SUVs go up, car sales go down, by 4 percent overall – but in the case of MPVs, an eye-watering 23 percent…

Europe’s top cars of 2018 so far

Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi, Skoda and Seat, is Europe’s biggest brand for SUVs – but with the Volkswagen Golf, it is also the firm building Europe’s best-selling car. Despite essentially being seven years old the Golf sits at the top of the EU sales charts, with registrations up 8 percent to 257,550 cars.

JATO figures reveal there’s been a dash away from Golf diesels, with registrations down 26 percent… but a rise in petrol registrations of 29 percent more than compensates. Volkswagen also currently sells a 6 percent alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) mix with the Golf.

The Renault Clio was second, with meagre growth of 1 percent, and sales of 185,234 cars (note, this is way behind the quarter-million total of the Golf). The Volkswagen Polo fell 4 percent, to 166,924 cars, with Britain’s favourite car, the Ford Fiesta, 1 percent up on 157,286 cars.

Nissan’s Qashqai is Europe’s fifth favourite car, with registrations of 134,547 cars, placing it ahead of the Peugeot 208 and its fast-rising Volkswagen Tiguan arch-rival. The Skoda Octavia, Renault Captur and Vauxhall Corsa rounded out the top 10 – the latter suffering its own worrisome decline of 15 percent.

The Vauxhall Astra fared even worse, with a massive sales drop of 33 percent seeing it plummet to 22^nd in the 2018 European sales chart. Opel Vauxhall itself is down 6 percent – luckily, the weakness of its core cars is being offset by the arrival of new models such as the Crossland X and Grandland X.

The best-performing new arrival, however, was again from Volkswagen: 71,000 T-Roc were registered, placing it 32^nd in the European sales chart for the first half of 2018.

Seat fans who like to combine load-lugging practicality with performance are in luck this summer.

A new limited-edition version of the Leon ST Cupra estate adds an array of styling enhancements, along with mechanical upgrades over the standard car.

Being badged as the Carbon Edition gives an obvious clue as to the nature of the bodywork bolt-ons, with lightweight carbon fibre used for the rear diffuser and side skirts. It might not be as dramatic as the special Cupra R version, but it still adds some extra aggression to the handsome Leon.

You’ll need to be a fan of Seat’s Monsoon Grey paintwork, as that is the only colour on offer here. A set of 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels are also standard, with uprated Brembo brakes nestled behind them.

Expect plenty of Cupra logos in your Carbon Edition. The badge is applied to both the bucket seats inside, and to the quad exhaust tailpipes on the outside. There’ll be no confusing it for FR models at least.

Power comes from the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, which still produces 300hp. This is matched to Seat’s ‘4Drive’ four-wheel-drive system, along with a DSG dual-clutch gearbox.

Recent announcements have confirmed that the regular Leon Cupra hatch will see its power output reduced to just 290hp. Blame the need to comply with the new WLTP emissions testing regime for the 10hp drop. It does mean that the Leon ST is now the hottest member of the Cupra family.

A price tag of £35,575 might seem steep, but this actual undercuts the mechanically similar Volkswagen Golf R estate. Those interested can place an order now, and the Carbon Edition is already available to play around with the configurator on the Seat UK website.

Yes, we know, this is a case of stating the blimmin’ obvious, but the M25 is the least-liked motorway in Britain. And, before you weigh with cries of a north-south divide, the M6 is a very close second.

That’s according to the 2,000 drivers who took part in a survey conducted by InsuretheGap.com, who were asked about their motorway experiences and the reasons they like and dislike them. 

https://twitter.com/GTP_Sandra/status/1022786421051072513

Apparently, the number one reason for disliking the M25 is – and this might surprise you – the lack of speed cameras. For many people, this would be a reason to like the big circular car park around our nation’s capital, if indeed you can ever drive fast enough to trigger a camera.

Other reasons for loathing the London Orbital include too much road debris, confusing signage, poor lighting and dangerous junctions.

Similar reasons were given in response to the M6, but drivers also feel unsafe and are disappointed by the lack of service stations. Maybe they should try the M6 Toll, which offers the best motorway services in Britain.

Good lord, you like the A66 and M40

But it’s not all bad news for our much-maligned motorway network, with drivers enjoying their time on the A66 from Grangetown to Workington. Of course, there’s a little cheating involved here, because only a small section of the A66 is a proper motorway. Still, when you’re asking people to name their favourite motorway, you can expect some flexibility.

Next up, drivers will be asked to name their favourite Lord… #Partridge.

The A66 was praised for its service stations, lack of debris, light traffic and streetlights. The M40 finished second, for precisely the same reasons. Imagine liking the M40. 

As for our favourite Lord, we’re torn between the Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Dance and Lord of the Flies. It’s this afternoon’s hot topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA1V7cI28hI

Another hot day, another report of dogs being left in vehicles with no ventilation. According to the Independent, workmen in Bristol were forced to smash a car window to rescue three dogs trapped on the hottest day of the year.

This is after one person left a note on the windscreen which read: “Dogs die in hot cars! You have been reported to the police.”

In a statement, the RSPCA said its emergency hotline has received 3,832 calls about animals and heat exposure from 1 June to 24 July. Sadly, three dogs have died in hot cars since the start of the heatwave. Why isn’t the message getting across?

🐕 ☀️🚗 Last year, we received 7,199 calls about dogs suffering from heat exposure. It doesn't matter if the windows are open or you won't be long: #DogsDieInHotCars. Always call the police on 999 if you see a dog in distress in a hot car. https://t.co/UvI0FmlVrB pic.twitter.com/f9JUtCA8Vd

— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) July 23, 2018

Both the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust are regularly reminding dog owners of the dangers of leaving pets in parked cars, with many people believing that it’s OK to leave a dog on a hot day if the windows are open or they’re parked in the shade.

Just 20 minutes can prove fatal

But the fact is, just 20 minutes in a hot car can prove fatal to a dog. Even when its a relatively low 22ºC, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47ºC within an hour. The dog will suffer through excessive panting, whimpering or barking, which can lead to a loss of muscle control, kidney failure, brain damage and, eventually, heart failure.

The veterinary team at the Dogs Trust has listed six tips to make people aware of the dangers of leaving a dog in a hot car, which are summarised as follows:

• Don’t leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
• If you see a dog in distress in a parked call, call the police.
• Avoid travelling with a dog during the heat of the day. Use sun blinds on the windows and consider opening a window.
• Make sure the dog has a supply of fresh water.
• If you are present at the rescue of a dog, seek veterinary advice.
• Wet towels can be used to cool a dog, but they must be changed regularly or sprayed with water.

If the situation becomes critical, and the police and RSPCA are too far away to help, you have a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property that you damage would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances.

Be aware that if you decide to do this, you may need to defend your actions in court.

For more information visit the RSPB or Dogs Trust.

The ultra-exclusive Bugatti Chiron has become a bit more appealing to sun-worshipers with the launch of a new glass roof option called Sky View.

Comprising two fixed glass panels above each seat, the new ‘sunroof’ option is available to order now and will be presented in public for the first time at the 2018 Pebble Beach exhibition at Monterey Car Week next month.

The Sky View panels are not just any old glass panels. Each is 650mm long and 440mm wide, and are made of a “newly developed” laminated material made up of thin glass and no fewer than four intermediate layers.

This construction serves two purposes: keeping wind noise at bay, and filtering out infrared radiation. The panels are also tinted, “to protect occupants’ privacy” and stop dazzling, and also treated to filter out UVA and UVB radiation.

• Lego Bugatti Chiron revealed
• A brief history of Bugatti
• The 100th Bugatti Chrion leaves Molsheim

And unlike many panoramic roof options, Bugatti says the stiff laminated structure maintains the stiffness of the regular Chiron… and instead of eating into headroom, Sky View liberates 27mm additional headroom.

We don’t yet know how much the option costs, but we’re guessing it won’t be cheap. Not that this is likely to be of the remotest concern to buyers of the £2.5 million Chiron.

Mercedes-Benz consistently produces some of the most aerodynamically efficient new cars on sale. The new 2018 A-Class Saloon has jumped straight to the top of the pile with an unbeatable set of aerodynamic efficiency stats.

The new four-door A-Class boasts a Cd drag factor of just 0.22 which, when combined with a compact frontal area of 2.19 metres squared, gives it the lowest drag of any production vehicle in the world.

It beats the previous record-holder, also a Mercedes-Benz: the CLA Coupe.

The new record shows just how much more aerodynamic saloons, with their smooth and elongated rears, are than comparable hatchbacks. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch has a Cd of 0.25.

There haven’t been any particularly special tricks to cheat the wind, says Mercedes-Benz, just a series of tireless detail engineering. It has, for example, meticulously sealed the headlamp surrounds and almost the entire underbody, and tuned front and rear wheel spoilers to direct air around the wheels.

• 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class first drive
• Meet the Mercedes-Benz you can live in
• Mercedes-Benz forced to recall cars over diesel emissions

It tuned both the shape of the wheels and, impressively, the tyres themselves. Also offered will be an active grille, which can shut off when extra engine cooling is not required, so air passes smoothly around the engine bay rather than being dragged into it.

And the benefit of such excellent aerodynamic efficiency? Excellent real-world fuel consumption, particularly for those cruising up and down the motorway. We’ll find out just how impressive it is in the real world when the new A-Class Saloon goes on sale towards the end of 2018.

The Mazda CX-5 mid-size SUV is the firm’s best-selling car in the UK – and globally, 1 in 4 new Mazdas sold is a CX-5. So the firm has rolled out a series of revisions for 2018 to keep it sharp in the marketplace.

Put away your specs: nothing has changed outside. This car was only launched as a new model barely a year ago, so the only difference is a new 19-inch alloy on Sport Nav+ models.

The interior is the same too: it’s what’s offered as standard that’s been upgraded. All 2018 CX-5 now get more active safety kit as standard, including radar-assist active cruise control, blind spot monitoring and automatic high beam control.

There’s a bleeper that warns if there’s something or someone approaching as you reverse, and lane-keep assist that also warns if you drift out of your lane. (The sheer irritation factor means many may be leaving this turned off, though.)

On Sport+ models, further active safety can be optioned: a 360 degree camera and piercingly bright Adaptive LED headlights. They also get Mazda’s first-ever power tailgate and a head-up display that includes traffic sign recognition.

Paint colour options are the same but the Soul Red Crystal metallic and Machine Grey metallic both have three-layer ‘Takuminuri’ paint tech – it’s 20 percent brighter and 50 percent deeper than the original CX-5 paint.

For the first time, Skyactiv-G petrol models can be had with an optional automatic, while the higher-power 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D diesel is even more powerful: up from 175hp to 184hp.

All Skyactiv-D engines have new injectors, a new turbo, revised combustion chamber and a NOx-eradicating selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system – it means CX-5 owners may have to occasionally top up with AdBlue, but can drive safe in the knowledge their exhaust gases are as clean as can be.

Prices? They start from £24,795, and ordering opens 31 August. The model range is 10-strong and, for simplicity, includes just two trim lines, SE-L Nav+ and Sport Nav+.

“Thanks to the 2018 CX-5’s improved equipment and upgraded diesel engine,” said Mazda UK MD Jeremy Thomson, “I’m sure our SUV will carry on winning over British buyers, especially as superb residual values mean it continues to represent great value for retail and fleet customers alike.”