A new special edition Lotus Emira sports car pays tribute to a true legend of motorsport. The Emira Clark Edition honours the life and successes of the late Jim Clark, taking inspiration from his greatest season of racing.
Regarded as one of the most talented and versatile drivers ever, Jim Clark won both the Formula One World Championship and the Indianapolis 500 in 1965. He remains the only driver to have achieved this double in the same year.
Marking the 60th anniversary of Clark’s greatest year, the Emira Clark Edition boasts a variety of special features inspired by the Scottish racer.
Honouring a motorsport hero
A combination of Clark Racing Green paintwork with a yellow body stripe is a direct reference to the Lotus Type 38 – the car used by Clark to win the 1965 Indianapolis 500.
A hand-painted yellow pinstripe runs along the side of the Emira. ‘Clark Edition’ branding on its doors references the logo used by Jim Clark on his own racing cars. Yellow exhaust tailpipes and a machined aluminium fuel filler cap are included, too.
On the inside, the driver’s seat is finished in bright red leather and Alcantara, with the passenger seat in contrasting black. Red Alcantara is also found on the steering wheel, paying further homage to the classic Lotus Type 38.
Further retro touches include wooden gear knob, plus commemorative badges that feature Jim Clark’s personalised tartan from Lochcarron, Scotland.
Only 60 cars to be made
With the range-topping Emira as its starting point, the Clark Edition is powered by a 400hp supercharged 3.5-litre Toyota V6. This is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential.
Announced at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, the Emira Clark Edition will be limited to 60 examples, and only sold in selected markets around the world.
Each car comes with numbered carbon fibre treadplates, plus a hand-crafted leather holdall with unique Clark Edition branding.
To celebrate one of the most important years in Lotus history, and a truly iconic driver, the Emira Clark Edition will cost £115,000.
Texas-based tuner Hennessey Performance has revealed new modified versions of the 2025 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban SUVs.
The H600 package is offered for both vehicles, and brings a host of mechanical and aesthetic upgrades to the full-size Chevrolets.
The launch of the H600 Tahoe and Suburban also marks an important milestone in thethree-decade history of Hennessey Performance.
The H600 Tahoe and Suburban will be the first Hennessey vehicles available direct from authorized Chevrolet dealerships. This mirrors how Hennessey has previously sold modified Ford vehicles.
Supercharging the family SUV
Hennessey’s H600 package can be applied to Tahoe and Suburban models fitted with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
A supercharger kit, combined with a high-flow air intake, intercooler, and cat-back exhaust system, results in 625 horsepower – 200 hp more than stock. Torque increases by more than a third, up to 633 lb-ft.
With 24-inch gloss black wheels and a suspension lowering kit, the Hennessey H600 models have a more aggressive stance. Uprated Brembo brakes with red-painted calipers are included, along with grippy Firestone Firehawk Pursuit tires.
Bespoke Hennessey badges are added to the exterior of each H600, along with a serial-numbered plaque for the upgraded V-8 engine.
Rapid transport for kids and gear
Each complete H600 comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, providing extra peace of mind for buyers.
Hennessey will limit production of the H600 Tahoe and Suburban to 100 examples in 2025. Authorized Chevrolet dealerships are accepting orders now.
John Hennessey, company founder and CEO: “My family and I have owned countless Chevy Suburbans over the years. They’ve always been our go-to vehicles for their comfort, performance, and the space to haul kids, gear, and everything in between. That’s why we’re so excited about our 625 horsepower upgrade. It turns the Tahoe and Suburban into true driver’s SUVs that are an absolute blast behind the wheel, even when fully loaded.
“What makes this even more special is our new partnership with authorized GM dealers across the country. This makes it easier than ever for customers to access Hennessey performance directly through their local dealership.”
Richard Hammond and James May have reinvented one of Top Gear’s most famous on-screen challenges with a unique cross-country race.
In a new 20-minute video, filmed for Hammond’s DriveTribe channel, the duo pitch a high-performance Porsche against a small aircraft.
A clever twist is that both the plane and car – a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT – are fully electric, putting a modern spin on a classic Top Gear adventure.
In a 2005 episode of Top Gear, qualified pilot James May flew a Cessna aircraft from Italy to the UK, competing against a Bugatti Veyron driven by Jeremy Clarkson.
The goal was to deliver a truffle from Alba, Italy, to a specific restaurant in London. And while we won’t reveal the outcome here, the race ended with a remarkably close finish.
Reinventing the glory days
“We’ve had a frankly brilliant idea,” said Richard Hammond in the film. “We thought, we miss races”. “It’s been a while since we did an absurd race,” added May, “and the winner gets as many James Gin and tonics as they like.”
For the challenge, Hammond drove the flagship Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, which has set numerous lap records – including at the Nurburgring – since being launched last year.
With a power output of 1,108hp, the Taycan Turbo GT delivers true hypercar performance, accelerating from 0-62mph in a neck-straining 2.3 seconds. Ease off the throttle and it can also achieve a range of 421 miles.
This made Hammond a formidable competitor for James May, who was piloting a Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft.
A silent battle of wits and speed
The duo took on a 100-mile race, starting from Henstridge airfield on the Dorset and Somerset border, then finishing at Dunsfold Aerodrome.
As the home of the famous Top Gear test track, Dunsfold holds special memories for Hammond and May. The ‘Porsche vs. plane’ challenge marked the first time the pair had returned to the Surrey airfield in a decade.
Without spoiling the result of the challenge, both car and plane arrived at Dunsfold within minutes of each other – in classic Top Gear style.
After finishing, Hammond noted that his Porsche EV could probably have gone much quicker. “In the Taycan, you’re stuck behind everything because it’s unbelievably fast.”
On residential streets where parking is in short supply, some drivers will resort to desperate measures to find a space.
For home owners, the result can be a car parked in front of your driveway, potentially blocking access to your property.
So, where does the law stand on this issue? And aside from tucking a polite/furious (delete as appropriate) note under the offending car’s windscreen wiper, is there anything you can do?
Streets are public spaces
The law is clear on drivers’ rights to park in residential areas. Unless otherwise specified, the parking spaces on your street, and indeed outside your home, are available to all.
The police will remind you that it’s not ‘your right’ to park in front of your house.
That said, there is one situation where this doesn’t apply: areas that require resident parking permits. These have proliferated where commuter parking is rife – e.g. close to train stations. These zones require a permit, available to residents only, to be displayedduring certain periods of the day.
Also, the rules state that you’re not allowed to park ‘in front of an entrance to a property’, or ‘anywhere that would prevent access for emergency services’.
Places you should NOT park
There are a number of areas where you are definitely not allowed to park at any time. These are marked by zig-zag, red or double yellow lines.
You should also avoid cycle lanes, marked taxi bays and close proximity to bus or tram stops, if the signs indicate as such.
Parking near to school entrances is also not allowed, along with areas close to junctions, plus parking spaces that are reserved for Blue Badge holders and motorcycles.
Driveway parking: the law
Now to the central question of this article. And the answer is that people are not allowed to park in front of your driveway – provided, of course, that the drive or adjacent pavement has a dropped kerb.
Dropped kerbs, be they for pedestrians or for drivers, are a no-go zone for parking. Your vehicle can be ticketed for even partially covering one. Parking close to a dropped kerb, however, even if it restricts access to a driveway, is not illegal.
What also isn’t illegal, bizarrely, is parking on someone else’s driveway. It’s private property, and therefore a civil issue, rather than a criminal one.
Not such a civil issue
“In a bizarre way, the system seems to favour the offender over the victim in this case,” said Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA.
“Because the offence of trespass is a civil matter, the police cannot get involved. And as the vehicle is on private land, the council cannot help either. So the only options available to homeowners seeking to get back what is rightfully theirs will cost both time and money.”
Provided the car is taxed, insured, has an MOT and is in safe condition, this is an issue way down the priority list of the authorities. Thankfully, it is not a very common one.
Learner drivers in the UK typically wait almost five months for a driving test. That’s according to data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Analysis by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts revealed that the average waiting time for a test is 19.92 weeks, with a pass rate of 33.9 percent.
An investigation by the Observernewspaper discovered brokers are taking advantage of this situation by using software bots to reserve driving test slots as soon as they become available. These are then sold for a huge mark-up – with learners paying up to £400 to jump the queue.
In recent years, the problem has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, along with strikes by driving instructors. The government recently announced a plan to schedule thousands more tests and reduce the waiting time to seven weeks. However, this target isn’t likely to be achieved before summer 2026.
Check driving test availability
Motoring Research certainly doesn’t advise paying a third party for a driving test slot. It may require patience and perseverance, but the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has an online service that allows learner drivers to check for available tests almost in real-time.
The DVSA’s online tool is updated every 30 minutes and is available from 6am to 11.40pm every day. Click this link to get started.
The tool lists every test location in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland), along with the current availability. You can book a test up to 24 weeks in the future and the standard fee is £62.
Book a driving test online
One of four descriptions will be displayed alongside each driving test centre location:
Appointments available – tests are available within the next six weeks.
Limited availability – between 90 and 95 percent of all appointments in the next six weeks are booked.
Very limited availability – more than 95 percent of all appointments in the next six weeks are booked.
No availability – there are no appointments within the next six weeks.
The service shows availability for car tests, as well as tests for a lorry, bus and coach licence, plus Motorcycle Module 1 and 2.
Officials advise learner drivers to use the service while they wait to book a test. However, the website does state: ‘when you reach the front of the queue, there is no guarantee that appointments will still be available. It’s possible that available appointments might have been booked.’
The DVSA also suggests learner drivers don’t use brokers or third-party websites that ‘charge for something that people can do for free themselves via our online booking service. There is not a “waiting list” or “cancellation list” for driving tests. You can only book the appointments that you can see online.’
BMW has reached another impressive milestone in the United States, with the assembly of the marque’s seven-millionth vehicle over here.
Associates at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina were responsible for building the special BMW Alpina XB7 SUV, finished in Alpina Green Metallic.
Although the XB7 actually left the production line in March this year, conversion to the bespoke Alpina specification meant the performance SUV was not completed until later.
With the Alpina front apron, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler fitted, plus a commemorative badge, the XB7 will now take its place as part of the BMW Historic Collection.
The USA’s biggest automotive exporter
It marks another major achievement for BMW North America, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary during 2025.
BMW first began manufacturing vehicles at Plant Spartanburg in 1994, initially building local market versions of the 3 Series sedan and coupe.
However, the facility has specialized in assembling X-branded BMW models, and is now responsible for multiple different SUVs in the range.
It took until 2006 for the one-millionth BMW to be made in South Carolina, but only another six years to reach two million vehicles. Major milestones have fallen even more rapidly since, due to continuing expansion.
Building a “remarkable legacy”
Such is the success of Plant Spartanburg, BMW has been the top exporter of vehicles from the United States for the last decade.
Of the 400,000 BMWs leaving the factory in 2024, almost 225,000 were exported, being sent to 120 different countries across the world.
More than $14.8 billion has been invested in Plant Spartanburg since 1992, turning it into the largest BMW Manufacturing facility in the world.
“This beautiful BMW Alpina XB7 is a testament to the great products we have, the quality of our supplier network, and the unwavering commitment and dedication of our valued associates,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing.
“For over 30 years, BMW has proudly invested in South Carolina and its people, creating a remarkable legacy. We are excited about our future as we prepare to assemble fully electric vehicles at this plant.”
A new partnership between Skoda and Amazon will allow consumers to explore cars from the Czech marque in a fresh and familiar environment.
Skoda has become the latest manufacturer, and the first European one, to develop a digital showroom with the giant online marketplace.
Potential buyers will be able to use the Amazon app and website to research the Skoda range, consider finance options, look for cars available locally, and book a test drive.
A visit to a Skoda retailer will still be required to finalise a purchase, though, meaning you cannot order a Fabia with Prime Delivery.
Click and collect, for now
In the United States, Hyundai allows customers to purchase a new car directly through a special section of the Amazon website.
However, Skoda has surveyed UK customers when developing its Amazon showroom, finding that face-to-face interaction is still important when buying a car.
Almost half (47 percent) of survey respondents said they appreciated the potential to research a new car online, from the comfort of their home.
Skoda’s research found that more than three-quarters of survey respondents spend up to two hours each day browsing for online shopping, with ease and simplicity the main reason for this.
Researching from the sofa
Dealerships remain important, though, with 82 percent of those surveyed saying they prefer some type of in-person engagement. Nearly four-fifths (78 percent) said a test drive was an essential part of the car buying process.
Matthew Bowden, Director of Skoda UK, said: “Online browsing and research are part of everyday life, which is why we’re so excited to launch the Skoda showroom at Amazon.
“It gives prospective customers more opportunities to find their next car and see where it’s available, all from the comfort of their home.”
The Skoda showroom is now live on the Amazon.co.uk website, or can be found through searching inside the Amazon smartphone app.
People in Britain have been driving on the left-hand side of the road since the 18th century. The law dates back to 1722, when a ‘keep left’ rule was introduced on London Bridge to control the increasing traffic. This was eventually adopted on all roads across the country.
The Highways Act of 1835 made this law applicable in the United Kingdom and its many colonies. The legislation stated: ‘Drivers of wagons or carts not to ride thereon unless some other person guide them. Drivers causing hurt or damage to others, or quitting the road, or driving carriage without owner’s name, or not keeping the left or near side, or interrupting free passage, if not the owner to forfeit 20 shillings, if he be the owner, 40 shillings.’
The British Empire link is important, as it provides a clue to the identity of the countries that continue to drive on the left. Naming former British colonies and UK Overseas Territories would be a good place to start if a pub quizmaster asks you to name five countries that drive on the left…
Why does the UK drive on the left?
The custom is thought to date back to Roman times, when right-handed soldiers would mount a horse from the left to keep their right arm free for combat. More recently, with the advent of horse travel, a horseman would hold the reins with his left hand, using the right hand for friendship or to draw a sword.
In 1998, the remains of a Roman quarry were discovered near Swindon. Ruts in the road were deeper on the right than on the left, which suggests that loaded carts used the right side of the road as they left the quarry. Empty carts arrived on the left.
Could UK drivers switch sides?
In 1969, the UK considered switching sides after Sweden successfully changed to driving on the right. The changeover took place on 3 September 1967, on a day known as Högertrafikomläggningen (right-hand traffic diversion).
All but essential traffic was banned from the roads, with some 360,000 street signs switched nationwide. Swedish people tended to buy left-hand-drive cars, so the switch to the right was carried out for safety reasons.
The UK rejected the idea on the grounds of cost and safety. The bill would have been in the region of £264 million – around £4 billion in today’s money. More recently, the Department for Transport said: “We do not have a policy on this because it’s not something we are interested in at this time.”
Due to its border with Spain, the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar changed to driving on the right in 1929.
Why do Europe and America drive on the right?
When the island of Samoa in the South Pacific switched sides in 2009, it was the first country in decades to order motorists to start driving on the left. A two-day bank holiday was organised to allow islanders to get used to the change, but thousands of people protested against the plan.
“Cars are going to crash, people are going to die, not to mention the huge expense to our small country,” a Samoan lawyer told The Times.
There is evidence of the French driving on the right since the late 18th century, but Napoleon is credited for bringing right-hand traffic to Europe. Nations he conquered, such as Russia, Switzerland and Germany switched from the left to the right. Adolf Hitler did the same in Czechoslovakia and Austria.
The story is less clear in North America, but an English author writing in 1806 is quoted as saying: “In some parts of the United States, it is a custom among the people to drive on the right side of the road”. This suggests that driving on the left was customary in other parts of the country.
Henry Ford played a part. His company changed to left-hand drive in 1908, with a Ford catalogue from that year stating: ‘The control is located on the left side, the logical place, for the following reasons: travelling along the right side of the road, the steering wheel on the right side of the car made it necessary to get out on the street side and walk around the car. This is awkward and especially inconvenient if there is a lady to be considered.
‘The control on the left allows you to step out of the car on to the curbing without having had to turn the car around. In the matter of steering with the control on the right, the driver is farthest away from the vehicle he is passing, going in opposite direction; with it on the left side he is able to see even the wheels of the other car and easily avoids danger.’
Which other countries drive on the left?
Apart from the UK, the following countries, dependencies and territories also drive on the left:
‘Merge in turn’. You will have seen the signs at the end of a two-lane section of road, but how many of us actually merge as requested?
It would be nice to believe that we’re all wonderfully polite and follow the ‘zipper merge’ without fuss or bother. But anecdotal evidence suggests this isn’t entirely true…
How many times have you seen a lorry driver move across to block the two lanes, resulting in two lines of heavy traffic behind the trailer and an entirely clear lane ahead of the cab?
Or, in what appears to be an example of Britain’s obsession with queueing, a long line of drivers waiting in one lane, scratching their noses and Snapchatting their mates, while the other lane lies empty, save for a few crows and some discarded packaging from Greggs.
There is a third method, which involves hurtling along the asphalt equivalent of the Mary Celeste, only to barge in at the last minute. According to social media – so often the voice of common sense, balance and reason – this method invariably includes an Audi of some sort.
But aside from the retina-burning LED lights and apparent lack of courtesy, isn’t Mr or Mrs Audi actually doing the right thing?
The zip merge saves time
‘Zip merging’ or the ‘zipper merge’ originated from the United States as a traffic flow measure designed to ease congestion when a road narrows from two or more lanes to one. In simple terms, drivers should merge at the point of closure, rather than forming a single line as soon as possible.
A 2008 study conducted by Ken Johnson, a state work zone engineer in Minnesota, found that the length of the queue is reduced by up to 50 percent when drivers merge in turn. He also argued that because everyone is ‘equally disadvantaged’ by the queue, there’s less chance of a driver experiencing road rage. Sounds compelling enough.
And yet, on today’s commute, you’re likely to find some motorists shaking their heads and tutting to themselves as an Audi driver (other German brands are available) shows a total disregard for the rules of the road and our nation’s reputation for politeness.
But while the terribly polite and courteous driver sits behind the wheel of their Hyundai/Skoda/Kia/Suzuki/Lexus (delete as applicable), it is they who have failed to observe the guidance of the Highway Code. Not to mention missing the first 20 minutes of Pointless.
Recommended by the Highway Code
In the section marked ‘Lane discipline’, rule 134 of the Highway Code states: ‘You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed. In congested road conditions, do not change lanes unnecessarily.
‘Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching roadworks or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed.’
On the subject of merging in turn, can’t we show a little joined-up thinking? If nothing else, you might get home in time to see the first round of Pointless. And if you do it, other drivers might follow your lead – and before you know it we’ll be a nation of zip-mergers.
Then we can turn our attention and anger to middle-lane hoggers instead…
A collaboration between Mattel and Hot Wheels has resulted in the Brick Shop range, aimed at the ever-growing market for grown-up model car collectors.
Each Brick Shop kit includes a scale model to be assembled brick by brick, and comes accompanied by a matching 1:64-scale Hot Wheels die-cast model.
Three tiers of pricing are offered, starting with the 1:32-scale Speed Series, then the 1:16-scale Elite Series models.
The 1:12-scale Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’, the first car in the top Premium Series – pictured above – will be priced at £136.99.
Classic Americana to retro heroes
In the mid-tier Elite Series, enthusiasts can choose from a Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport with metallic exhaust pipes, a 1990 Honda NSX with pop-up headlights, or a Custom ’62 Chevy Pickup.
The latter is particularly eye-catching in orange, and comes with an exposed V8 engine and adjustable suspension, plus a surfboard in the truck bed.
Elite Series cars are supplied with extra parts to allow collectors to customise their designs, along with licensed decals and metal wheel covers.
All of the Mattel Brick Shop Elite Series models have a recommended price of £44.99.
A new way to enjoy Hot Wheels
The Speed Series will be the most affordable models, priced at £21.99 each. These each come with different wheel covers and a full set of decals for customisation.
Included in the Speed Series will be the Cadillac Project GTP Hypercar, ’68 Chevrolet Camaro and Maserati MC20.
“Hot Wheels has fuelled the passion of car enthusiasts for generations, and with Mattel Brick Shop, we’re giving fans an entirely new way to engage with their favourite vehicles,” said Roberto Stanichi, head of vehicles and building sets at Mattel.
“This Hot Wheels collection by Mattel Brick Shop delivers what car fans have been clamouring for: buildable vehicles that deliver true car authenticity. Our design team meticulously recreated these vehicles in brick form while preserving what made them great in the first place, including real metal parts and a matching exclusive die-cast, giving fans a new way to collect, build and play.”
The first Mattel Brick Shop models are available to pre-order now. They should reach retail stores later this summer.
