Ever wished your printer could create an electric van you could use for delivering dove-shaped shortbread? That’s what Honda has done. Sort of.
The 2.5-metre Micro Commuter electric van is based on a lightweight pipe-frame chassis, while the powertrain uses the same Micro EV technology as the firm’s MC-β ultra-compact electric vehicle, sold in Japan.
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The clever bit, however, is the 3D printing methods used for the exterior panels and luggage space.
Based on an open innovation model, the Micro Commuter will be used by the Japanese Toshimaya Corp to carry out deliveries of its ‘Hato sablé’ dove-shaped shortbread. Erm…
The Micro Commuter was developed alongside Japanese 3D printing firm Kabuku Inc, and can travel up to 50 miles on a charge. If you’re feeling brave (remember, it’s actually made of paper), it can hit 43mph.
Oh, and that paper body helps with its kerb weight, which comes in at around 600kg. Not that you’ll want one running over your toe.
PSA Peugeot Citroen has revealed the exact methods it uses to calculate real-world fuel economy figures across its range.
The company announced real-world figures for 30 cars across its range earlier in the year, and has said it plans to reveal 20 more by the end of the year.
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It’s part of a move to appear more transparent, with PSA being one of a number of manufacturers blaming the official NEDC fuel economy test for generating unachievable MPG figures.
Why is the official NEDC test to blame for unachievable fuel economy figures?
The New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) fuel economy test is used to calculate official MPG and CO2 figures for all new cars on sale in Europe.
The test is split into two sections: urban and extra-urban cycles. The first test, the urban cycle, covers a stop/start journey of 2.5 miles at an average speed of 12mph, intended to be representative of driving through a congested town or city. The car starts off cold and touches a maximum top speed of 31mph.
After this test, the now warmed-up car is put through the extra-urban cycle. This covers a distance of 4.3 miles at an average speed of 39mph.
The CO2 and fuel economy results for each cycle are then combined to provide the official CO2 and fuel economy figures quoted by manufacturers.
However, the official test has been criticised by consumers and car manufacturers alike. Carried out on a rolling road, it’s not influenced by real-life conditions such as other traffic, weather conditions and driving styles.
Developed before hybrid and electric vehicles were commonplace, it also produces extremely unrealistic fuel economy and CO2 figures for cars such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. As the test takes place when the plug-in hybrid Outlander is freshly charged, it covers most of it under electric power, hence the Outlander’s official 156.9mpg. When the Outlander’s short electric-only range runs out, its real-life fuel economy will be much lower than this figure.
So what’s Peugeot Citroen doing about it?
PSA Peugeot Citroen has announced that, along with the official NEDC tests (a European requirement), it will conduct real-world fuel economy tests across its range, and publish its findings.
To carry out the tests, the car manufacturer is working with environmental organisation Transport & Environment. It tests cars in real-world conditions, stipulating that ambient temperatures must be ‘normal’ (not too hot or too cold), while a set route should be followed.
During the test, 22.8km (14.2 miles and 24.7% of the total distance) must take place in urban areas; 39.6km (24.6 miles and 42.9% of the total distance) on rural roads; and 29.9km (18.6 miles and 32.4% of the total distance) on motorways.
Tyres must be inflated to ‘normal’ pressures and the driver should ideally not be a trained driver. The car should be driven exactly as a customer would, with all speed limits adhered to and typical acceleration for the type of car.
The test also requires at least one passenger being carried in the car, with the climate control being set to 21°C.
Transport & Environment’s clean vehicles director, Greg Archer, said: “The real-world test developed with PSA Group provides full transparency towards customers and more representative information to drivers than the new laboratory test, helping them choose the most fuel-efficient cars. This scientific approach is robust, reproducible and reliable in measuring real carbon emissions.
“We urge the European Commission and all carmakers to use this test for regulatory and advertising purposes,” he added.
What are the results of PSA’s real world tests?
So far, 30 Peugeot Citroen models have completed the test, with most averaging around 20mpg below the official NEDC figure. Here’s an example of models tested, with another 20 set to be announced before the end of 2016.
A black box manufacturer is calling on the Government to make telematics-based insurance a legal requirement for all drivers under the age of 21.
The increasingly popular telematics insurance policies are aimed at young drivers who are traditionally seen as higher risk, and pay more for their insurance as a result.
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These policies fit a black box to the driver’s car, monitoring things like how often they speed, and where and when they drive. They can even report how aggressive they are during braking and cornering.
Careful drivers who avoid risky times and places are rewarded with lower premiums, while high-risk drivers are penalised with pricier insurance – and even face having their policy cancelled.
Black box provider Wunelli says the Government should be doing more to encourage the use of black boxes to monitor young peoples’ driving, claiming that drivers with telematics insurance are 20% less likely to be involved in a crash.
It says new drivers are now paying close to £2,000 a year in insurance on average, and this could go up as the Government increases insurance premium tax for the third time in five years.
The company says young drivers should be encouraged to use telematics insurance by cutting tax on black box policies, or going one step further and making it mandatory for under-21s.
It claims that, with 1,732 road deaths last year (and 14% of the drivers killed aged under 24), the UK Government could save millions by making telematics a legal requirement for young motorists. This would replace the income generated from the tax imposed on young driver policies.
“As the UK currently has no graduated licensing in place, it is crazy to think that young drivers can pass their test one day and the next day be driving a car full of people, on the motorway late at night,” said Wunelli’s founding director, Paul Stacy.
“Even if they have traditional motor insurance, there is no way to monitor their driving behaviour in those crucial first few years.”
According to the latest travel trends survey, the average 17-20 year old drives 1,307 miles per year – meaning they pay more than 12 times more per mile compared to older drivers.
Ever-resourceful value brand SsangYong has revealed its latest special-build vehicle – a campervan version of its big Turismo MPV called the Turismo Tourist Camper.
Set to cost from £29,995, the two-berth motorhome has been remodelled with an elevating roof, swivel seats in the front, rear tailgate awning, a hob, a fridge, a toilet and, yes, even a kitchen sink.
The seats fold to create twin beds (they have in-fill cushions and fancy memory foam toppers), and a four-berth version is optional.
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The hob slides out the back so you can use it outdoors, a bit like a barbeque, and SsangYong will sell you optional Eberspacher central heating, a mains hook-up and a solar panel.
The conversion has been carried out by motorhome experts Wellhouse Leisure, which “has done an excellent job in creating such a great vehicle for the booming leisure market,” said SsangYong Motor UK CEO Paul Williams.
“Turismo is one of the largest cars on the market, and in standard form offers seating for seven adult passengers and their luggage, and therefore ideal for conversion into a two-person campervan.”
Powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel, the Turismo Tourist Camper produces 178hp and has either a six-speed manual or Mercedes-Benz seven-speed automatic, and either front- or four-wheel drive.
It’s also probably the only campervan on sale in the UK to have a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
The new SsangYong Turismo Tourist Camper goes on show today at the Motorhome & Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC: the show runs until 16 October.
Since the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the spotlight has been focused on the real world emissions of cars, rather than those produced in a lab. As Volkswagen proved, you can post exceptional results under test conditions, only for the reality to be very different indeed.
One organisation is taking a lead. Vehicle testing firm Emissions Analytics is checking the tailpipe emissions of every new car on sale, under its EQUA initiative. It’s already published data for NOx and carbon monoxide: now, it has released the findings of its latest tests for CO2 emissions – which shows car brands overall are missing their target by a whopping 39%. And some are worse still…
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The British company’s number-crunching has created two figures: an indication the actual real-world CO2 for all cars on sale, plus a ‘variance factor’ that reveals by how much the real world varies from the official figure. Call this an ‘honesty rating’: 1 is most honest, 5 is least honest.
All new cars are sold with a quoted CO2 figure, which is used to calculate road tax and company car tax. But as Emissions Analytics shows, the cars of certain brands are performing far worse in reality than the figure suggest…
The car manufacturers with the highest real-world CO2
First, to the car brands that produce the most CO2 in the real world, as opposed to a sterile and fully-controlled test bench. These makes of car are, simply put, the very biggest emitters of CO2. They’re the global warming anti-heroes.
10: Audi – 191g/km
Surprisingly, for all its TDI diesel engines and e-tron plug-in hybrids, it’s Audi that has the 10th highest real-world CO2 figure. Blame all those big Q5s and Q7s, plus the R8 supercar? Well, yes, but also blame an EQUA variance factor ‘honesty rating’ of 2.7 over what its official NEDC figures state and how the cars perform in real life. Remember, 1 is most honest and 5 is least honest.
9: Jeep – 200g/km
Jeep is an SUV manufacturer. It makes big, thirsty 4x4s. So it’s perhaps no surprise to see it appear in the CO2 emissions bad books. It’s not all bad news though: when Jeep says it’s bad in official figures, the real-world figures at least prove it’s being honest – its variance factor is just 1.1, compared to Audi’s 2.7.
8: SsangYong – 206g/km
Nearly all of SsangYong’s cars are big, too: the smallest car it makes is the Nissan Qashqai-rivalling Tivoli. Jeep’s are generally bigger though, and both its overall CO2 figure and the real-world variance over claims are better than SsangYong’s…
7: Jaguar – 207g/km
Jaguar’s cars are sporty and premium. The XE has yet to have a big impact on the range, so its overall brand CO2 is driven up by the XF, the F-Type, the XJ. CO2 emissions that vary by 2.5 times over official figures aren’t so clever either, though.
6: Lexus – 211g/km
Jaguar produces less CO2 than Lexus? Hang on a minute, surely that’s not right – Lexus is the brand of the hybrid, after all? Well, yes, but it’s also a brand that sells a lot of RX SUVs. A lower variance factor of 1.9 isn’t enough to offset that – oh, and the fact it doesn’t sell CO2-cutting diesels, either.
5: Infiniti – 213g/km
This is a poor result for Infiniti. According to Emissions Analytics, its quoted CO2 figures underplay the real-world CO2 of its cars by an ‘honesty factor’ of 3.6. The everyday CO2 of its cars is a stonking 213g/km, meaning it puts out more carbon dioxide as a brand than 4×4 specialist Jeep. We thought this brand was meant to be the smart-thinker’s alternative?
4: Subaru – 214g/km
Subaru’s turbo boxer engines sound good in the real world, but you’re best listening to them from a safe distance: their actual CO2 emissions are much higher than the claimed figures.
3: Land Rover – 223g/km
Like Jeep, Land Rover only makes SUVs. Big, posh, heavy SUVs, like the Range Rover and Discovery. The Evoque has helped bring down its range-average CO2 figures, but a variance factor of 2.6 pushes it back up again: bronze medal in the list of manufacturers with the highest real-world CO2.
2: Porsche – 240g/km
Porsche’s sports cars are naturally rather thirsty, and so naturally put out a lot of CO2. Even the slowest, cheapest 911 does 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds – you don’t get such performance without using a bit more fuel than average. Its range CO2 figures are pushed up further in the real world due to a variance factor of 2.0 over what it claims, too.
1: Aston Martin – 314g/km
It’s perhaps no surprise to find a supercar manufacturer tops the list of the brands with the highest real-world CO2. Aston Martin’s cars all have V8s and V12s, after all. What’s positive for the brand is that its variance factor is a mere 1.0 – it says it’s bad, but it’s very honest when it says this, too.
And now it’s onto the brands whose CO2 figures mysteriously show the biggest variance in the real world compared to what they can achieve in the lab – this is precisely what let Volkswagen down…
The car manufacturers with the biggest real-world variance to official CO2 figures
Car manufacturers blame the flawed NEDC test. Campaign groups say there’s something fishy going on. Experts say brands have simply learnt how to best perfect cars to do well in the very-limited-scope official emissions test, without resorting to cheating.
Whatever the reason, there’s no denying the real-world results are often very different to what’s officially claimed in the legislated CO2 figures. And here are the worst offenders – the brands with the worst ‘honesty ratings’.
Chrysler – 3.1 times variance factor
American brand Chrysler benefits from being part of Fiat, which includes sharing Fiat engines. Which, according to Emissions Analytics, aren’t quite as green in real life as the test figures claim. Another reason for the brand being withdrawn from the UK?
Peugeot – 3.1 times variance factor
Peugeot’s real-world CO2 figures also vary over claimed statistics by a hefty factor of 3.1. And this, from a brand that’s committed to releasing real-world economy statistics for its cars. How long before customers force it to cut down this yawning variance?
Renault – 3.1 times variance factor
Renault’s HQ was raided by investigators looking into evidence of emissions test skulduggery. We’ve heard nothing since so clearly there’s nothing to report – but news of a real-world variance factor of 3.1 over claimed figures should still provide food for thought.
Volvo – 3.2 times variance factor
Volvo prides itself on being a safe, upstanding brand, and part of this sensible-shoes image is serving up great MPG and low CO2 figures. This image takes a bit of a dent, though, as Emissions Analytics finds an honesty rating of 3.2 over what it says and what real-world figures say.
Fiat – 3.4 times variance factor
Fiat’s range is dominated by small cars such as the 500 and Panda, models that will be bought to use mainly in city centres and to save fuel. Pity, then, the honesty rating of 3.4 suggests the real-world CO2 is not very likely to come close to what the official figures say…
Ford – 3.4 times variance factor
This is a significant result, because Ford is Britain’s best-selling car brand. According to Emissions Analytics, its CO2 figures have a variance factor ‘honesty rating’ of 3.4 compared to the official claimed NEDC figures, indicating that in the real world, its cars are not very likely to get close to the official stats.
Infiniti – 3.6 times variance factor
Remember, Infiniti emits one of the highest amounts of CO2: a variance factor of 3.6 suggests it’s less honest in the real world than the figures say it is. It’s not an enviable position for the premium challenger to be.
Alfa Romeo – 3.6 times variance factor
Alfa joins Infiniti on the third-place spot in the honesty rating league table. The firm has to date sold just two cars, the Giulietta and the Mito: will the arrival of the fancy new Giulia help improve matters for the sporty Italian brand? It’s also significant in being the third Fiat Auto brand in the bottom 10…
DS – 4.7 times variance factor
The second-worst car brand for real-world CO2 diverging from the official figures is posh Citroen sister company DS. As Citroen itself isn’t among the bottom 10 (indeed, the C3 diesel is the only car to achieve the best-possible A1 rating), we’re not quite sure why this is so – perhaps the diesel-hybrid DS 5 is having an effect? Whatever the cause, it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re buying a DS with low CO2 in mind.
Smart – 5.0 times variance factor
The least honest brand for real-world CO2 figures? Surprisingly, it’s Smart – makers of the urban-hero Fortwo city car. Smart’s real-world CO2 is the furthest from the official rating of any manufacturer on sale, by the maximum-possible variance factor ‘honesty rating’ of 5.0, which means its real-world fuel economy is likely to be least like the glowing official stats as well. You may think you’re doing your bit for global warming by choosing a Smart, but the planet in reality might not thank you.
A new wave of stay-at-home holidaymakers could be hitting UK campsites as companies offer tempting PCP finance deals on new caravans and campers.
Vehicle data expert Glass’s says PCP – which is an increasingly popular way of financing new cars – could revolutionise the leisure vehicle market.
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The firm’s director of valuations, Rupert Pontin, said: “Touring caravans and motorhomes are not cheap vehicles and you can easily spend £40,000 on the latter. However, the use of finance products in the market has tended to be quite limited, meaning that the typical buyer is an older person with savings.
“That has changed in recent months, with the arrival of a handful of finance companies entering the market. Now, the situation could change quite quickly. The touring caravan and motorhome market has been quite buoyant in recent years but we believe that this development could provide a further boost.”
As an example of a caravan PCP deal through Black Horse Finance, you could buy a high-spec two-berth Coachman Pastiche 260 caravan, with a cash price of £20,440, for slightly less than £300 a month. That’s over three years, following a deposit of £3,100.
Interest works out at 7.9% APR, meaning the total amount payable works out as £23,595.85.
“The key advantages of PCPs are that they make vehicles much more affordable and accessible,” Pontin added. “Crucially, they will allow younger buyers with families who would like a caravan or motorhome for stay-at-home holidays to seriously consider taking out a PCP, typically over 5-7 years.”
A number of cars with royal connections will be going under the hammer at the forthcoming Silverstone Auctions NEC sale, which is part of the Classic Motor Show. The auction takes place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November 2016, and includes an Audi 80 Cabriolet formerly owned by Princess Diana. Read on to discover more.
Princess Diana’s Audi 80 Cabriolet
In 1994, this Audi 80 Cabriolet probably did more for Audi’s image than any manner of cash spent on marketing. The power of being associated with arguably the most famous woman on the planet must have been huge. Fast forward two decades and the Audi 80 Cabriolet 2.3E could be yours.
This isn’t the first time Princess Diana’s Audi has been up for auction. Back in 2013, the Gomera Pearl Audi went under the hammer at Blenheim Palace, where it sold for £36,500. Silverstone Auctions has listed it for a pre-auction estimate of £50,000 – £60,000, which represents a sizeable profit for the winning bidder. The car has travelled around 400 miles since the auction.
The Audi was presented to Diana by Dovercourt Audi of St John’s Wood and the dealer was probably all too pleased to list a Princess as one of its clients. It was first registered on the 7th March 1994, but returned to the dealer with 4,000 miles on the clock. It was bought by political commentator, publisher and broadcaster Iain Campbell Dale, who was looking for a car to take on holiday to Germany.
Mr Dale owned the Audi for a couple of years before selling it to a third owner, who just happened to live next door to Kensington Palace. Is the Cabriolet the coolest car Princess Diana ever owned? For us, it’s either this or the black Ford Escort RS Turbo. That said, the Austin Mini-Metro she owned before marrying Prince Charles was rather special.
The Queen’s Bentley Mulsanne
Earlier in 2016, this Bentley Mulsanne was up for sale for £199,850 at Bramley Motor Cars. We’re not entirely sure if it sold for the full asking price, but – six months on – it’s up for auction for an estimated £215,000 – £235,000. It was used exclusively by Queen Elizabeth II until it was retired from the Royal fleet in 2014.
The Mulsanne was the car in which The Queen travelled to her only Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in 2012, flanked by outriders and greeted by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Power is sourced from a 6.75-litre V8 engine, which would have propelled this extension of Windsor Castle from function to function in genuine pomp and circumstance. It’s interesting to note that Windsor Castle is listed as ‘Home’ on the Mulsanne’s sat nav. Home, James, and don’t spare the horses.
The Mulsanne is finished in Barnato Green, a shade named in honour of Joel Woolf Barnato – one of the original ‘Bentley Boys’ of the 1920s. Bentley added a number of subtle security features to keep Her Majesty safe on the road, including Kevlar-reinforced tyres and strengthened body panels.
These are the very seats upon which Her Majesty would have parked her Royal behind. Assuming we’re not sent to the Tower for making such a comment, we’ll go on to say the interior was finished with a tan leather interior, acres of walnut veneer, vanity lights and picnic tables. No doubt the Queen was quite partial to a snack on the way back from a private party.
As you’d expect, the Mulsanne’s added security features have long since been removed, with Bentley transforming the car into what is essentially a production Mulsanne. So the armoured plating and glass won’t be there to protect you from the terrors of ‘civvy street’.
It’s also worth noting that the Mulsanne no longer rolls on its original DK61 FHM plate, while we understand the car was originally registered to Bentley Motors Ltd. Essentially, you’re spending close to a quarter of a million pounds on a car that no longer looks and feels like a Royal chariot. What price provenance?
The Queen’s Daimler Super V8 LWB
Maybe it’s our inner Arthur Daley rising to the surface, but we prefer this Daimler to Her Majesty’s Bentley. With a pre-auction estimate of £50,000 – £60,000, it could be a nice little earner, too.
Registered on the 4th June 2001, this unique Daimler Super V8 was built to the personal specification of Her Majesty, with Jaguar completing a 2,500-mile test drive to ensure it was fit for a Queen. Imagine the petrol loyalty points after that.
Look closely and you’ll spot four buttons on the centre console. A number of discreet security features were fitted, including blue flashing strobes, alternate flashing headlights and alternate flashing rear lights. A pair of neon blue lights positioned behind the rear-view mirror was used to alert members of the Royal Protection Team as to which vehicle the Queen was travelling in.
In the boot, you’ll find fittings for direct contact to the Home Office and Downing Street, although the working components have now been removed. Note the deep-pile carpets and picnic tables – the world is your lobster in this Daimler, as Arthur Daley might have said.
The supercharged V8 engine remained as standard, meaning the Queen’s driver was able to enjoy the full force of 375 Royal horses beneath his right foot. History will recall that this Daimler was used as personal transport within the Windsor Castle estate, as well as journeys to and from Buckingham Palace.
Today, the four-owner Daimler is said to be in “superb condition”, and is presented with 15,000 miles on the clock. Amazingly, 11,000 of those miles were completed whilst in the Queen’s possession. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust purchased the car from Jaguar in 2007.
In case you were wondering, this is a factory-adapted armrest with a sliding holder specifically designed to hold the Queen’s particular type of handbag. Jaguar also fitted several extra switches to allow the Queen to operate the windows from either side, because “she enjoyed fresh air in the rear”.
Princess Margaret’s Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II
This rather patriotic Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II was owned by Princess Margaret between 1980 and her death in 2002. The combination of Cardinal Red paint and a black Everflex roof is a strong look, but the Silver Wraith wears it well.
By Princess Margaret’s standards, the interior is rather understated. When Countess of Snowdon died in 2002, the Rolls was inherited by her son, Viscount Linley, who sold it to P&A Wood. A Mr. Allwright bought it and managed to purchase the original 3 GXM registration number from the Home Office. It’s up for auction for between £90,000 and £110,000.
King Hussein of Jordan’s Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL
In 1988, it’s estimated that this heavily-armoured Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL would have cost in excess of £200,000, so the pre-auction estimate of £25,000 – £30,000 looks like a steal. It was delivered new to King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan and designed to provide “maximum protection”. Along with many options, the big Merc is armoured to B4 level.
Emir of Qatar’s Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
This 1984 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible was delivered new to the Embassy of the State of Qatar for use by Emir of Qatar and his family when in London. He is said to have enjoyed the car with “his wives and some of his 15 children”. It’s not entirely clear if they all travelled at the same time. Pre-auction estimate: £100,000 – £120,000.
Sir Elton John’s Rolls-Royce Phantom
From actual royalty to music royalty: this Rolls-Royce Phantom was formerly owned by Sir Elton John. The ‘Rocket Man’ took delivery of the car in 2005 and was his carriage of choice on the occasion of his civil wedding to David Furnish in Windsor. If you’re feeling the love for this Phantom, you’ll have to sacrifice between £135,000 and £155,000.
Michael Winner’s Bentley T1
Michael Winner took delivery of this 1976 Bentley in 1984 and owned it until his death in 2013. It was gifted in his will to his chauffeur, who subsequently sold it on. Silverstone Auctions has provided a pre-auction estimate of £40,000 – £50,000. Calm down, dear, it’s just a Bentley.
Samantha Cameron’s Fiat 500
In 2012, this Fiat 500 sold at auction for £18,150. Fast forward to 2016 and it’s up for sale again, this time with a pre-auction estimate of £18,000 to £22,000. It was formerly the personal car of Samantha Cameron, who was gifted the car by her husband David. These days, Mrs Cameron prefers a Nissan Micra…
John Hammell’s Wood & Pickett Mini Cooper S
We’d be clutching at straws if we offered any royal or ministerial connections to this Wood & Pickett Mini Cooper S, but it was owned by John Hammell, personal assistant to Sir Paul McCartney. John sold the Mini to Denny Laine of the Moody Blues. It’s a Mini car, with a maxi price: yours for between £45,000 and £55,000.
Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible
We conclude our Silverstone Auctions preview with this 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible. It’s the first time the car has been up for sale and the pre-auction estimate stands at £90,000 – £110,000. Remember, the Classic Motor Show Sale takes place at the NEC on the 12th and 13th November 2016.
Thinking of splashing out on a new car to enjoy the latest tech – think again. We’ve put together a list of retrofit gadgets that will turn your existing motor into a technological powerhouse, making you the envy of all your mates. Stick with us as we teach your old car some new tricks.
Sat nav
Thanks to the arrival of smartphone mirroring and touchscreen infotainment systems, it’s never been easier to secure a sat nav in a new car, but it remains a costly business. Order a Dacia Sandero in plush Laureate trim and the Media Nav Evolution navigation system will set you back £300. Alternatively, opt for the Audi A3 SE and you’ll need to find £495 for the excellent MMI Navigation. Fortunately, aftermarket sat navs are more cost-effective and you won’t need to worry about it being obsolete in a few years time
We’ve been using a Garmin DriveSmart 50, which is about as thin as a tablet and available in three different sizes: 5-inch, 6-inch and 7-inch. In entry-level 5-inch guise, it’s a bit on the small side compared to modern infotainment systems, but as it’s Bluetooth enabled, you can ask for directions via voice command.
It also features driver alerts, such as the whereabouts of speed cameras, dangerous corners and animal crossing points. You need not worry about upgrades and the sat nav becoming obsolete, because you get a lifetime of free map and traffic avoidance updates. At the time of writing, the Garmin DriveSmart 50 5-inch is available for the reduced price of £143.99, although there are many other sat navs available.
Buy a Garmin DriveSmart 50
In-car coffee machine
This is one in-car gadget that might put you ahead of your friends and neighbours – an in-car coffee machine. The Handpresso Auto is the self-proclaimed ‘espresso machine for the car’, and it does exactly what it says on the box.
Plug it into your car’s 12v socket, fill it with cold water, add an Easy Serving Espresso (ESE) pod and – two minutes later – a fresh espresso is served. The Handpresso Auto is designed to fit most cupholders and it could save you a fortune on takeaway coffees.
The Handpresso Auto will set you back £133, which is the equivalent of 80 or so takeaway espressos, and while you do need to factor in the cost of ESE pods, it is possible to use your favourite ground coffee. If you spend much of your time on the road, and too much money in coffee shops, this could be classed as a must-have accessory.
Buy a Handpresso Auto
Cupholders
Until relatively recently, a car cupholder wasn’t a thing. Climb aboard a car from the 80s or 90s and you might be disappointed to find nowhere to put your energy drink. But don’t worry, because help is at hand in the form of an aftermarket cupholder, which you can buy for not much more than the price of an overpriced takeaway coffee. Sadly, it won’t be as cool as the cupholder in a Saab 9-5 (pictured).
Buy a cupholder for your car
Bluetooth
Under new rules likely to come in next year, motorists will receive six points on their licence and a £200 fine if they’re caught using a mobile phone at the wheel. While many new cars are fitted with Bluetooth connectivity, an older car will need upgrading if you want to make and receive calls on the move. A Parrot Minikit Neo 2 HD costs less than £80 and features HD sound quality, plus an ability to switch between two phones.
Buy a Parrot Minikit Neo 2 HD
DAB radio
The digital radio switchover could happen as soon as 2017, meaning traditional FM/AM receivers will be about as useful as a chocolate fireguard. Not a problem if you own one of the 90% of new cars fitted with a DAB digital radio, but not so good if you’re making do with an old head unit. There are many options available if you fancy listening to DAB radio in an old car, including adapters and entirely new systems. Some companies will even retrofit a DAB system to an old unit, which will appeal to classic car owners who favour originality.
Buy a Bluetooth DAB adaptor
Alarm/immobiliser with remote central locking
Adding an alarm and immobiliser will not only secure your car, it might save you money on your car insurance. Some systems also offer options such as remote central locking and automatic window/sunroof closure, adding additional convenience.
Buy a Scorpion, Clifford or Viper alarm/immobiliser
USB charger
Once upon a time, a cigarette lighter – or cigar lighter, if your car was a bit posh – was a sign that you’d splashed out on a higher trim level. You can make use of what might otherwise be a dormant socket by converting it into a USB charger. For just a few pounds you can charge one, two, three or even four accessories on the move. New life for the cigarette lighter!
Buy a USB charger for your car
Apple CarPlay
These days, Apple CarPlay is available on everything from a Suzuki Baleno to a Ferrari GTC4Lusso, but don’t feel that you have to buy new in order to enjoy the joys of seamless iPhone connectivity. The Pioneer SPH-DA120 offers a 6.2-inch touchscreen, GPS, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay – simply plug in and play. It’s available from Halfords for £329.
Buy a Pioneer SPH-DA120
Head-up display
General Motors was the first carmaker to introduce a head-up display (HUD), with a system debuting on the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Once the preserve of premium motors, HUD has filtered down to more humble vehicles, while it’s also possible to retro-fit a system to just about any car. The Garmin Head-Up Display receives navigation information from your smartphone and projects it onto a transparent film on the car’s windscreen. It’s compatible with the Navigon and Streetpilot apps.
Buy a Garmin Head-Up Display
Dashcam with added safety devices
These days, a dashcam might be considered less of an accessory and more of an essential requirement. Not only will it provide evidence in the event of an accident, it can also reduce the cost of your insurance. Prices start from around £50, although for £160 you can buy a ‘world first’ rear-view mirror camera, which also features forward collision and lane departure warning systems
Buy a rear-view-mirror dashcam
Powerful headlight bulbs
Compared to new cars, many older vehicles may as well be running with candles perched on the edge of the front wings. Upgrading the headlight bulbs is a cost-effective way of improving visibility and staying safe. For example, a pair of Philips X-treme Vision bulbs will provide up to 130% more light, with a 45m longer beam, while a pair of Osram Night Breakers will add 110% and 35m respectively. Bank on paying between £20 and £30.
The AA recommends you check your tyre pressures every couple of weeks, but how many of us remember to do so? Maplin offers a Bluetooth tyre pressure monitoring system, similar to that used in new cars. It monitors real time tyre pressure and temperature, and comes with an app for automatic monitoring and instant alerts. Yours for £149.99.
Buy a Maplin Bluetooth tyre pressure monitoring system
Parking sensors
If you’re one of the many motorists who don’t enjoy parking, help is at hand from as little as £10. This might seem like a small price to pay for an aftermarket reversing sensor, but the reviews appear to stack up. The only problem – you’ll have to fit it yourself, although the reviewers endorse the claim that the system is “easy to install”. Worth a look?
Buy a parking sensor for your car
Reversing camera
Alternatively, you can watch where you’re going with an aftermarket reversing camera. We found one on the Maplin website, complete with 3.5-inch colour monitor and automatic switching when reverse gear is engaged. It costs £84.99, but at the time of writing this price has been reduced to £64.99.
Buy a Maplin reversing camera
Heated seats
If you like the comfort of a warm bottom on a winter’s morning, you’ll be pleased to know it’s possible to retro-fit heated seats to the front seats of most vehicles. Heating elements are placed between the upholstery and the seat cover, without altering the shape or look of the seat. Why not go the whole hog and add lumbar support?
If you run your sat nav via a smartphone or modern system, the chances are you already enjoy the benefits of real-time traffic monitoring. If not, it’s worth considering Waze, which claims to be ‘the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app’. Using insight from other motorists, Waze suggests the fastest and most optimal route possible to any destination. Best of all, it’s free!
Get the Waze traffic app
Seat-back tablet mounts
This is one example of where an older car can stay ahead of the game. Rear-seat entertainment systems are fine, but technology moves on at such a rate, they’re soon outdated and outmoded. Besides, consumers want portability, so why not install a seat-back tablet mount – so you can take your entertainment with you? We found one for as little as £10.
Buy a seat-back tablet mount
Wi-fi dongle
Turn your car into a wi-fi hotspot to provide your passengers with internet access while on the move. EE offers a 4G wi-fi, allowing users to check newsfeeds, stream music, play online games or post social updates commenting on your poor driving skills. The system supports up to 10 wi-fi-enabled devices at once, and there are various tariffs available.
Get in-car wi-fi access
TomTom Curfer plug-in dongle
If your car was registered after 2004, you should be able to fit a TomTom Curfer. By plugging into your car’s OBD port, the Curfer links to your smartphone to provide feedback on your driving technique and your car’s performance. Curfer scores acceleration, cornering, braking and idling in real-time, along with detailed data on your car’s battery voltage, oil temperature and engine load. It’s geek heaven for £59.
Buy a TomTom Curfer
Buy a new car
Combine all of the above and we reckon you could turn your old motor into a techno powerhouse for around £1,500. Considering the Dacia Sandero Access – Britain’s cheapest new car – costs £5,995, and that doesn’t even have a radio, we think that represents excellent value for money. Alternatively, nip out and spend a shed load of cash on a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Police in Cheshire have arrested a driver on suspicion of supplying drugs and stealing a car – after a bumper sticker alerted them to him.
A bright orange sticker fitted to the Ford Mondeo states “don’t follow me, I do stupid s**t”.
Learner driver has his gold Maserati SEIZED by London police
Drivers warned NOT to stop for unmarked police cars
More car news on Motoring Research
The police decided to have a word with the unnamed motorist in the village of Cranage, Cheshire, and have since arrested him under suspicion of drug supply and vehicle theft.
Mocking the alleged drug dealer, the police tweeted: “Driver arrested in Cranage on suspicion of drug supply and vehicle theft. Can you guess what drew our attention?”
In 2014, police in Yorkshire warned a driver that he could be arrested for a public order offence if he didn’t remove a sticker showing a gagged woman in the back of his truck.
There’s a shed at the old Ford factory (now an engine plant) in Essex that houses the firm’s incredible car collection. From rare RS200s to the latest Ford Mustang, the collection proved to be a hit with our readers last time we visited with a camera in-hand.
Made in Dagenham: Ford’s secret classic car collection
Then Ford had a bright idea. “Come back,” they said. “And bring some of your readers.”
Sagar Bhagat’s Fiesta
So that’s what we did. This weekend, the Motoring Research team and 20 of our lucky readers visited Dagenham for a rare opportunity to see behind the scenes at the firm’s heritage workshop. And they brought some incredible classic Fords of their own – starting with this, Sagar Bhagat’s lovely Mk1 Fiesta from 1978.
Brian Elliott’s Capri
Brian Elliott brought his fabulous 1985 Ford Capri 2.0 Laser along. It’s covered more than 200,000 miles – most of them in Brian’s ownership. It’s never been restored or had major mechanical work.
Ian Blenkinsopp’s Fiesta
The Fiesta XR2i wasn’t the most acclaimed hot hatch when it was new – meaning many were neglected and few tidy ones remain. Ian Blenkinsopp’s immaculate Radiant Red XR2i is a pampered survivor, now used for the occasional show.
Barry Woodward’s Escort
When was the last time you saw a Mk4 Ford Escort cabriolet? We can’t think of a better car for enjoying the Dagenham sunshine than this XR3i cabbie, owned by Barry Woodward. And it wasn’t the only one that turned up…
Jack Mitchell’s Escort
Jack Mitchell also brought along his slightly earlier XR3i cabriolet. He bought it in 2013 with just 58,000 miles on the clock and one owner from new. When it was launched in 1983, the Escort cabriolet was the first soft-top Ford since the 1960s.
Jayesh Tailor’s Capri
The Mk1 Capri was launched in 1969 with the tagline ‘the car you always promised yourself’. European’s answer to the Mustang, the rear-drive Capri was a huge success, with a powertrain to suit everyone. This example is a rare 1600GT Vista Orange special edition complete with the dealer-fitted rear louver and spoiler.
Dan Bowden’s Granada
Dan Bowden and his partner Amy Littlejohn came along in their Ford Granada – just one of several Fords in their collection. Registered in 1994, it’s one of the last Ford Granadas to be sold before it was replaced with the controversial Scorpio.
Raj Bassi’s Mondeo
Is this a classic car? We certainly think so – when was the last time you saw a tidy Mk1 Mondeo on the road? This 1996 example, owned by Raj Bassi, is one of the latest. The aftermarket alloys are one of the few modifications he’s made to his mint Mondey.
Debbie Baldy’s Fiesta
The original Fiesta ST is a surefire future classic that can still be used every day, we reckon – and the owner of this fine example, Debbie Baldy, agrees. With a 2.0-litre petrol engine, it’s one of the last generation of naturally-aspirated hot hatches.
Louis Bray’s Fiesta
Another Mk1 Fiesta – but this example is far from standard. Louis Bray’s 1980 Fiesta is, underneath those aftermarket arches and rally-spec lights, a high-spec Ghia. It’s in remarkable condition.
Shahzad Ayub’s Escort
The final MR ‘reader’s car’ is another hot Ford in danger of going extinct, Shahzad’s Escort XR3i is in the more powerful 130hp guise. He describes it as a ‘rolling restoration’, but it looks pretty mint to us.
To see more pictures from the inaugural Retro Road Test Live event – including inside Ford’s special heritage workshop – click through our gallery on MSN Cars.
Ever-resourceful value brand SsangYong has revealed its latest special-build vehicle – a campervan version of its big Turismo MPV called the Turismo Tourist Camper.
Since the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the spotlight has been focused on the real world emissions of cars, rather than those produced in a lab. As Volkswagen proved, you can post exceptional results under test conditions, only for the reality to be very different indeed.
A number of cars with royal connections will be going under the hammer at the forthcoming Silverstone Auctions NEC sale, which is part of the Classic Motor Show. The auction takes place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November 2016, and includes an Audi 80 Cabriolet formerly owned by Princess Diana. Read on to discover more.
Thinking of splashing out on a new car to enjoy the latest tech – think again. We’ve put together a list of retrofit gadgets that will turn your existing motor into a technological powerhouse, making you the envy of all your mates. Stick with us as we teach your old car some new tricks.
