Not familiar with the Mercedes Unimog? It’s a beast of a vehicle. Seriously. The off road workhorse-cum-plaything has been taking humans to places where vehicles shouldn’t go since the 1940s – and it even does a good impression of a train.
Yup, the Unimog U 423 proves that the Mercedes 4×4 truck thing is the most versatile vehicle ever – with the latest version about to be revealed at next month’s Innotrans exhibition in Berlin.
Packing 231 hp, the long-wheelbase Unimog U 423 can tow an incredible 1,000 tonnes of train – thanks to its four-wheel-drive system and torque-converter clutch.
Likely to be bought by rail companies for carrying out essential tasks like overhead cable maintenance, the U 423 features a elevating work platform – and it can even be driven remotely.
It also complies with strict fire regulations, available with a fire alarm and fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment so it can be used to carry out work in tunnels.
When it’s not pretending to be a train, it can also be driven on the road like a regular Unimog. OK, you might not want to use it for the school run, but its regular road tyres are up to the job of carrying out any tarmac-related duties you may have for it.
The new Unimog U 423 will be shown at the Innotrans exhibition in Berlin on 20-25th September.
The new Honda Civic hatchback has been officially revealed by Honda North America after earlier being scooped by the firm setting sail across the Atlantic.
The Swindon, UK-built five-door is the first hatchback to be sold in the U.S. and it seems the firm is getting rather excited about it – rushing out details of the new car ahead of its European colleagues who developed and will build the car.
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New Honda Civic hatchback revealed
New Honda Civic ‘sportier because we are allowed to’
The official studio images confirm the new Civic hatchback will be little-changed from the striking concept car revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show; Honda’s even showing the new car in a similar matt grey paint finish (sadly sans the lime green detailing of the concept).
Honda North America’s anticipation stems from the fact this 10th generation Civic, in saloon and Coupe guise, is the reigning 2016 North American Car of the Year; it’s expected the new five-door hatch will be similarly impressive.
To be launched in autumn 2017 – hence the boat-loads of new Civics now headed across the Atlantic – Honda North America has confirmed further details about the new Civic hatch.
It’s to be offered with just a single engine initially: a new 1.5-litre direct injection turbo, producing either 174hp or 180hp – the extra 6hp comes on Sport models, which have a high-flow centre-exit exhaust (as featured on the Geneva Motor Show concept car).
Pair it either with a six-speed manual or a so-called “sporty” CVT: Honda says the latter will deliver class-leading fuel economy. European cars will also get an upgraded version of Honda’s 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbodiesel.
Following criticism of the down-specced suspension on the current model, the new Civic hatch returns to independent suspension front and rear, with fancy liquid-filled bushings. The bodyshell is stiffer, to further aid ride and handling, and the electric power steering is promisingly described as “sport-tuned” with variable ratios.
It will be big, too: class-leading volume includes the best rear legroom and the biggest boot in its sector. Those in the back will even enjoy the option of heated rear seats.
Honda’s current dreary infotainment system will get a big lift with a new Honda Display Audio system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The new Civic hatch has been jointly developed by Honda in Europe and Japan, says Honda North America: the Swindon, UK plant will be the only one in the world producing it. And Honda U.S. enthusiasts can’t wait for it to arrive.
“The Civic Hatch has been a staple for Honda in Europe, but has long been the forbidden fruit for Honda fans in the U.S.,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
“Now, we’re bringing this sporty, stylish and versatile Civic Hatchback to North America, as we amp up the performance of our incredible Civic lineup with each new Civic model.”
More news on the European-spec new Civic hatch is expected in coming weeks: it will make its motor show debut at Paris next month.
Unscrupulous car thieves are attending shows and fitting DIY tracking devices to desirable motors – allowing them to return at a later date and steal them when they’re not being used.
Ford fans who attended the recent Ford Fair at Silverstone have reported finding the trackers attached to the underneath of their vehicles using magnets.
One enthusiast, Terry Griggs, posted on Facebook that his modified Focus ST had been stolen after the show – but his mate had a lucky escape after getting a puncture and finding a tracking device underneath his rare Mk1 Ford Escort.
He said: “[He] went to change the wheel and found [the tracker] when he went to put the jack under his car.
“He then had his garage broken into. Sadly for the scum he had moved it to a safe place.”
The trackers are about four inches long and are made using a battery and a SIM card from a mobile phone.
Police are said to have taken one of the devices for finger printing but no arrests have been made.
A McLaren driver who was involved in a collision with a tractor just weeks into ownership has successfully claimed compensation for the enjoyment he was deprived of while his supercar was being fixed.
Charles Gow demanded a like-for-like replacement from the tractor driver’s insurers, NFU Mutual, after he was deemed not to be at fault for the crash involving his McLaren MP4-12C.
Although Gow said he was willing to accept a Ferrari, no courtesy car was forthcoming from the insurance company for the weeks his McLaren was off the road.
Despite owning two Aston Martins, a Range Rover and a BMW 5 Series, Gow eventually hired a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG to drive instead of the McLaren.
Gow’s barrister, Guy Vickers of Exchange Chambers, accepted that insurance companies generally only need to provide a replacement car if they can establish a need for a replacement.
However, he said: “In most cases this is a straightforward matter of simply pointing to the fact that the damaged car was the only car the claimant had the use of before the accident… but in [this case] the defendant argued that, because of his other vehicles, Mr Gow could not establish need.”
NFU Mutual refused to pay for the hire of the Mercedes, pointing out that damage to the McLaren was minimal and Gow had use of a number of other cars.
But Gow argued that he should be entitled for a like-for-like car, and his own Aston Martins were older and not as special as the McLaren.
Vickers added: “Mr Gow successfully argued that, in this context, need was to be assessed not in some objective utilitarian sense, but by considering what type of vehicle the claimant had the use of before the accident and whether any of the other cars he already owned could replace that use.
“So although he had other cars, some of them objectively highly desirable, none of them was a supercar like his McLaren and the defendant, having to take his victim as he found him, was obliged to recompense him the cost of hiring an equivalent to his own.”
The judge agreed, concluding that the £190,000 McLaren was a ‘particularly special’ car – and nothing in Gow’s car collection made up for the enjoyment he was deprived of while it was off the road.
As such, he ordered NFU to compensate the McLaren owner for the Mercedes SLS AMG hire car – and even reimburse him for general damages caused by having to use his older Aston Martin for the two months before hiring a car.
The Auto Trader Best Bike Awards 2016 have been revealed, celebrating the very best in the UK motorcycle market. It’s a sector in great shape, and 2016 has been a classic year for new model launches. Auto Trader has chosen the very best of the best.
British bike market in 2016
Almost 80,000 new motorcycles have been registered in the UK already in 2016, a healthy rise of nearly 6% on 2015. Although sales of entry-level bikes are down, bigger-engined motorcycles are doing well: the 126-650cc category is up an impressive 8.4%.
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The biggest new bike category is for stripped-back Naked bikes, beating even Scooters and Adventure Sports bikes in the popularity stakes.
Biker boom
There are now 1.25 million motorcycles in use on UK roads, a number that’s been growing over the past few years. There are lots of active riders in Britain and, as bikes become ever-better and boast ever-more-attractive deals, many will be in the market for a new machine.
Here’s the pick of the UK new bike market in 2016.
Best bike for AM licence holders: Peugeot Django 50cc
The 50cc motorcycle 16-year-olds should be riding in 2016 is the retro-look Peugeot Django 50cc. It retains the award it won last year for its combination of cool looks and everyday usability. There’s even a 12-volt charger, so smartphone obsessives can top up their battery on the move.
Best bike for A1 licence holders: Honda CB125F
Riders aged 17 should hot-foot it to the local Honda dealer to pick up a bargain-priced CB125F. Not for nothing is it the UK’s best-selling 125cc machine. It costs from just £2,699, does 151mpg and looks far cooler than you’d ever believe a beginner’s motorbike could.
Best bike for A2 licence holders: Honda CB500F
Riders aged 19 or over can choose a full-size motorcycle that’s restricted to 47hp. Once they pass their full test, this restrictor can be taken off. The best choice here is, again, a Honda; the CB500F is the perfect step-up machine from the CB125F.
Best Scooter: Vespa GTS 300
Who doesn’t want a classic Vespa? Now there’s reason to want a modern Vespa: the GTS 300 has scooped this category three years running and Auto Trader says it’s hard to see anything beating it. It even has heated grips for winter!
Best Commuter: Honda NC750X
Commuter motorcycles should be painless and easy to ride, with a good seating position for excellent visibility. Cue the NC750X, a genuine twist-and-go machine with clutchless transmission and, new for 2016, cooler and edgier looks. Again, it’s a three-time category winner.
Best Naked: Triumph Speed Triple R
The most popular new motorcycle category in Britain right now is the Naked sector. Ooh-err. Aggressive looks, minimalist bodywork and savage power make them real thrillers – none more so than the 138hp race-bred Triumph Speed Triple R.
Best Retro: Triumph Thruxton R
Retro bikes are more classically-styled Naked machines – and Triumph has this sector sewn up too, with the beautiful Thruxton R. It builds upon the established Thruxton range with improved dynamics and engine power. “It’s the retro Triumph you’ve been waiting for,” said Auto Trader editor-in-chief, Jon Quirk.
Best Adventure: Honda Africa Twin
We’ve been waiting a long time for a new Honda Africa Twin, but at last it has arrived – and Auto Trader says the wait has been worth it. It’s one of the best motorcycles to come out of Honda in years, and is “a phenomenal all-rounder… If you want a reason not to buy a BMW GS, this is it”.
Best Tourer: BMW S 1000 XR
Planning on riding across Europe this summer? You need a BMW S 1000 XR. It’s a superbike engine in a sports touring chassis that, says Auto Trader, creates the motorcycle equivalent of a performance SUV. This, ladies and gentlemen, is a BMW X5 M for riders.
Best Sports: Yamaha YZF-F1
The fearsome Yamaha R1 has done it again. A sublime track bike, Auto Trader reckons it’s a bike that wins over both head and heart in an instant. It’s also a race bike for the road that you can thrash all day long without fear – mechanical integrity is second to none. “It’s staggering,” say the editors.
Best Cruiser: Indian Springfield
You may not have heard of the Indian motorcycle company but you’ll certainly have heard of the motorcycle brand it’s beaten to best Cruiser 2016: Harley-Davidson. The Springfield has “the ride quality of an ocean liner and a finish that out-luxes all-comers.” Just for added reassurance, it even has a five-year warranty. Born-again bikers, you need this in your life!
Best Manufacturer 2016: Triumph
Despite building more than 54,000 motorcycles overseen from its Hinckley, Leicestershire HQ, Triumph keeps on innovating, with models such as the Thunderbird, Bonneville and modernised Speed Triple range. It’s a brand that shows the future really is looking bright for the British motorcycle industry, says Auto Trader – which is why it didn’t hesitate to award it the Best Manufacturer 2016 gong.
Best Bike 2016: Honda Africa Twin
The Auto Trader judges were unanimous in picking the new Honda Africa Twin as their Best Bike 2016. They said its ability both on- and off-road is “staggering”, the engine is superb, it’s comfortable to ride and it offers tremendous value for money. An all-round champ that stands clear as Britain’s best in 2016.
A driver in the USA suffered a pulmonary embolism while he was driving his Tesla Model X – so he told the car’s autopilot feature to take him to the nearest hospital.
37-year-old Joshua Neally was driving home from his Missouri office in the SUV when he suffered a piercing pain in his stomach and chest.
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A man has died after his Tesla crashed while on autopilot
Tesla Master Plan: part 2
Instead of calling for an ambulance, Neally, a lawyer, instructed the Tesla to use its Autopilot feature to navigate to a hospital emergency department.
The system is able to control braking, accelerating and steering for sections of motorways, but isn’t capable of driving through towns.
Neally’s Model X reportedly drove 20 miles towards a hospital emergency department, before he managed to take over and park the electric SUV.
How do you treat a football team that has defeated all odds to claim the Premier League title? There was talk of Leicester City’s Thai owners buying players an electric Mercedes-Benz B-Class each – but instead, a fleet of 19 brand new BMW i8s has been delivered to the team’s King Power Stadium.
Posting the pictures on Facebook, Leicester City fan page first4LCFC said: “These are the gifts promised to the players following last season’s triumphs. Unbelievable scenes!”
With a list price of £104,540, this line-up of BMW i8s will have cost Leicester bosses nearly £2,000,000 if they were bought outright.
Fans were quick to respond, with Lynne Orridge commenting: “Well deserved I say, they made a lot of people happy with their win – and not just Leicester fans.”
But not everyone thinks treating footballers to a fleet of expensive supercars was the best way of spending the cash.
Cheryl Taylor commented: “[It] is nice the the club spent money on the players. They put the cost of the away coach up from £10 to £18 and the parking at home games up £10.”
The club’s Thai chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, is said to be worth around £1.15 billion.
The BMW i8 combines an electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. It can hit 62mph in 4.4 seconds and top speed is limited to 155mph.
Adding a driveway gives a bigger boost to house prices than a new fitted kitchen, adding an extra bedroom or building a conservatory.
And homeowners can make even more if they add a driveway and then rent it out: yourparkingspace.co.uk says annual income of £1,500 could be made from allowing pre-booked cars park on your driveway.
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The online parking marketplace turned to Virgin Money for the estimates: creating a driveway adds £19,000 to the value of the average home in the UK.
Fitting a new kitchen or adding an extra bathroom boosts house prices by £11,500, while building a conservatory will add £9,600 to the price of the average British house.
“Having a parking space close to your home is highly valued by potential property buyers and it’s one of the most profitable home improvements that you can make,” said MD at yourparkingspace.co.uk Harrison Woods.
He says it could be a good way for homeowners to move up the property ladder. “By renting out your parking space, you can generate extra income meaning that if you do decide to move up the property latter, you’ll have even more money to help you out.”
Despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit, the Centre for Economics and Business Research predicts house prices will rise by £40,000 on average over the next five years – and as values go up, so the gap between the second and the third runs of the property ladder widen.
But would you build a driveway and then rent it out to solve this problem?
The number of electric car charging points in the UK could exceed the amount of petrol stations within the next four years.
That’s according to research from Nissan, which revealed there were just 8,472 fuel stations in the UK at the end of 2015 – compared to 37,539 in 1970.
If that rate of decline continues, there’ll be fewer than 7,870 petrol stations in the UK by 2020.
Public electric car chargers, meanwhile, are multiplying – with 7,900 expected by 2020.
As electric cars increase in popularity, the number of chargers available for the public to use are increasing rapidly – from a few hundred as recently as five years ago, compared to more than 4,100 today.
Nissan’s EV manager, Edward Jones, said: “As electric vehicle sales take off, the charging infrastructure is keeping pace and paving the way for convenient all-electric driving. Combine that with constant improvements in our battery performance and we believe the tipping point for mass EV uptake is upon us.
“As with similar breakthrough technologies, the adoption of electric vehicles should follow an ‘S-curve’ of demand. A gradual uptake from early adopters accelerates to a groundswell of consumers buying electric vehicles just as they would any other powertrain.”
Last month, we reported that EV chargers were about to overtake petrol stations in Scotland – with more than 550 charging points across the country, compared to fewer than 700 independent petrol stations.
Opinion
I’ve spent a couple of months with the Motoring Research long-term Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and using the charging network has been a real eye-opener.
While using a public charger (often enjoying free parking in a convenient location at the same time) is so much nicer than visiting a petrol station, it’s far from being perfect.
For a start, the Government really needs to step in and regulate public charge points. They’re operated by so many different companies in different areas, actually having the correct card to use is a lottery. I’ve got around this to some extent by using Chargemaster’s Polar Plus card, at a cost of £7.85 a month (after a six-month free trial). But there are still points out there that I can’t use – annoying in a PHEV, potentially day-ruining in a fully-electric car.
The monopoly of motorway service station chargers is owned by Ecotricity. The green energy company has shown its true colours recently by hitting EV drivers with an excessive £6 fee for 30 minutes charging. Moves like that makes running electric cars almost as expensive as petrol cars – take away the incentives, and that ‘tipping point’ Nissan talks about is a long way off.
Andrew Brady
Nissan points out that the electric car charger to petrol station ratio is particularly high in London, where only four conventional fuel stations remain within the congestion charge zone. One of the country’s oldest petrol stations, the Bloomsbury Service Station, opened in 1926 and was closed in 2008.
The joint Government and car industry campaign for alternatively-fuelled vehicles, Go Ultra Low, reports that more than 115 electric cars were registered every day in the first quarter of 2016, equivalent to one every 13 minutes.
It claims electric power could be the dominant form of propulsion for all new cars sold in the UK as early as 2027 – with more than 1.3m electric cars registered each year.
If you think Britain’s roads are littered with more potholes these days, RAC breakdown data suggests you may be right: vehicle breakdowns caused by bad roads have risen a whopping 125% between 2006-2016.
The sort of things that are damaged when you hit a pothole – components such as dampers, suspension springs and bent wheels – made up 0.4% of RAC callouts in 2006. By 2016, this had risen to almost 1% of callouts.
“Our analysis… unequivocably confirms what most road users already know, which is that the condition of our local roads has deteriorated drastically in the last decade,” said RAC chief engineer David Bizley.
“This analysis suggests that the quality of the UK’s roads suffered a steady decline from the start of 2007 through to the end of 2009, presumably due to lack of investment in maintenance and resurfacing during worsening economic times.”
Since then, there has not been sufficient funding to fix the backlog.
“Although 0.9% (of call-outs) seems low, the growth in this type of call-out is indisputable. With few exceptions, it’s the vehicle owner who picks up the bill, adding up to millions of pounds each year.”
And motorists are fed up. The RAC Report on Motoring shows the state of Britain’s local roads is their number one gripe and 50% feel the condition of roads in their area has declined over the past year.
One in three thus want the government to prioritise fixing Britain’s roads above everything else and a further half rate extra investment here as a top-5 priority.
Not something that’s going to happen soon though, says the RAC: “The effect of insufficient investment over much of the last decade care going to take some considerable time to rectify,” warns Bizley.
