Almost 228000 fewer driving tests were taken by learner drivers last year according to the Driving Standards Agency, which is a drop of 13% on the previous year 2009 / 2010. The number of young drivers between the ages of 17-25 taking tests has fallen by 19% since 2005 / 2006. So what is the reason for this fall in the number of people taking tests? Could the rise in motoring costs be putting people off?

Increasing cost of driving

To most people a driving licence means freedom. It is the gateway to a better life. People need cars to travel to work, some companies require you to have a licence to get the job in the first place. Families need a car to get about especially parents of young families where they need to take prams and so on everywhere. Cars allow us to go anywhere at any time and not be restricted by public transport schedules.

Ignition Driving School believes that the fall in young drivers taking tests is linked to costs associated with actually owning a vehicle and not the costs associated with learning to drive. In fact the cost of learning to drive is the lowest it’s ever been with so many driving schools offering discounts and promotions.

However, students now wishing to go to university have tuition fees to pay for and with the costs of car insurance for young drivers and fuel being at an all time high, young people are having to rethink about how they spend their money and are learning to drive when they are older and can afford it. A spokesperson for Ignition Driving School said, “We have seen a change in the types of courses that learner drivers want to do. We see a lot of people requesting to do intensive style courses, because they need to pass for a job offer they’ve been given. It used to be that learning to drive was a matter of course, you turned 17 and you started to learn to drive, but now people learn to drive when they need to, which may be when they are about to start a new job or when they have a young family.”

According to the RAC the cost of motoring has risen by 14% in 2011, with the average cost of owning a car being £128.64 a week. They found that various factors contributed to this rise including car depreciation, where cars are losing their value quicker making them worth less, car maintenance costs rising, car insurance premiums rising, on average costing 14.38% more than they did a year ago, and fuel costs being at an all time high, with two more fuel duty rises planned for 2012. In addition to these the cost of borrowing money has also become more expensive so people who take out car finance are also paying more for their car overall.

Ignition Driving School commented, “There is no incentive for young people to learn to drive as driving a car is expensive. Insurance companies used to reward young drivers for completing the Pass Plus scheme but even this advanced motoring course carries no weight now, with some insurance companies only offering a £10 reward for completing the course.”

Additional drivers and Insurance premiums

If you add an additional driver to your car insurance you’ll be asked to provide information about that person such as their date of birth and information on any car insurance claims they may have made in the last five years. You’ll also have to declare if they have any convictions that are unspent or pending.

The cost of adding an additional driver to your car insurance will depend on this information. Though it is rare, premiums can occasionally go down after additional drivers are added!

However if your son or daughter is learning to drive and you decide to include them on your vehicle’s car insurance, you should expect a significant increase in the cost of your car insurance. Most car insurance providers will allow you to insure someone who only has a provisional licence but the change in price can be dramatic. In fact, according to The Independent newspaper, adding your son or daughter to your car insurance policy can raise premiums by nearly 300 per cent.1

It’s not just the price of your car insurance premium that you need to consider. Car insurance providers often issue a charge for making alterations to your car insurance midway through your policy. Most UK car insurance providers allow you to view their car insurance policy documents online so you can look into their extra charges before selecting a car insurance policy.

Most car insurance companies issue a reasonable charge of about twenty pounds. This isn’t designed to act as a deterrent but is intended to cover the administrative costs involved in making changes and sending your amended car insurance documents. Cheap car insurance providers may levy a more significant charge so it is worth checking with your car insurance provider before making a change.

Having weighed up the costs you may decide to insure your son or daughter on a different vehicle. Many car insurance providers accept drivers as young as seventeen and as old as ninety-nine however special conditions may apply depending on the age of the additional driver. For instance, some car insurance policies don’t allow anyone under eighteen to pay their car insurance by instalments or younger drivers may have to pay a higher excess.

Car insurance can be costly, especially when you need to insure young inexperienced drivers, but a reliable car insurance policy that offers extensive cover is well worth investing in.

Company Profile:

John Lewis Insurance offers a range of insurance services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include home, life, pet, travel, wedding, event and car insurance quotes.

For more information about John Lewis Car Insurance please visit the website here – www.johnlewis-insurance.com/homepage/car-insurance.html.

Used car buying tips

To help people purchase a second hand car smoothly we have come up with some top tips to research and look out for when entering the market for used cars:

• Check the seller – The first thing to do before even contemplating signing on the dotted line is to ensure that the seller is legitimate. Remember that using dealers can be slightly more expensive, but at least then your risks are minimised. Similarly, make sure that you are able to visit the car at either the business premises or the seller’s home before parting with your well-earned cash.

• Test drive the car – Probably the number one thing to remember – and don’t do it half-heartedly. If you’re going to take it for a spin – which you should – test it out, work it on a mixture of slow and fast roads and keep your ears open for any vibrations and noises along the way.

• Check vehicle clocking – Any tampering of the mileage is of course illegal, and by removing 10,000 miles a seller could be increasing the value of his or her vehicle considerably. Try to be vigilant against this and have a look at the dashboard to see if the screws are worn or how old it looks. The best way to check that there hasn’t been any tampering is to get a copy of all the documents.

• Examine the paper work – While this will show the mileage over the years, it’s also imperative to check any paper work so that it hasn’t been tampered with. Every car should have a full history and you will be able to see that the MOT, tax and V5 are all in order. Similarly, check that the chassis and registration numbers match those stated alongside that there is a match for both the address and name of the seller.

• Be a good buyer – As much as you need to know that the seller is legitimate, they need to know that you are the right person to sell to. Be on time for viewings, make sure that you make a decision in a timely fashion and be prompt in taking the car away if you do decide that you want to purchase the second hand car. During this current global economic crisis, it can make prudent financial sense to look towards second hand motors when looking to solve your driving issues. Many people have only good things to say about this market, but some people have been stung by it before. Always use a recommended dealer to make sure that everything is done above board.

Dubai International Motor Show

The biennial event saw many deals generated for automotive manufacturers in the luxury and supercar ranges, with many reporting positive responses in leads and sales. Owing to the popularity for high-range vehicles in Dubai and the UAE, the show attracted major car manufacturers, tuners and related companies to sign deals and pursue partnerships.

Among the main crowd attractions were 9 global launches and more than 50 regional premiers, of which the Infiniti 2012 FX and G25 were prominent. A spokesman from the luxury car company reported over 1000 serious enquiries at the Nissan Infiniti platform, and hinted at another successful return in 2013. Visitors were also attracted to the innovative concept cars on show from Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Maserati and Toyota.

Over 100 000 visitors were said to have stopped in at the grand Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in the central business district, where 150 companies showcased vehicles from over 30 countries worldwide. In addition to the vehicles on display, there were interactive features including the Nissan Live Action Track and a Fastest Tyre Change contest on a replica F1 racing car, sponsored by Infiniti.

Predicted to be the largest in the 22-year history of the event, the 2011 motor show exceeded expectations when key exhibitors reported record sales, of which supercar and high-end luxury cars featured prominently. A spokesman from the venue commented that the strength of the show confirmed the importance of the UAE to the automotive world and is as a key location for the unveiling of innovative concept cars.

The show was held from 10 to the 14 November, and officially opened by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

2012 Chevrolet Captiva 7 Seater

Let’s start with something that Chevrolet have always got right, as hinted at by Top Gear, their cars are most certainly reasonably priced. The new Captiva starts at £21,995 which for a hulking great SUV is astonishing, especially compared to its rivals. Land Rovers Freelander 2 starts at over 22k, Audi’s Q5 at 28k and BMW’s X3 at an eye watering 31k. Many people will argue of course that the Chevvy is cheap because, well, it is cheap. This might have been true in the past but Chevrolet has pulled out all the stops to try and build the Captiva out of better quality and more durable materials than before. Engine wise the Captiva’s moved up in the world too. It features an all-new 2.2 litre turbo diesel unit which is both more powerful and more efficient than the ones in the last generation. The new engine comes in 2 states of tune; the base FWD Captiva LS getting a 163bhp version while the 4WD models get 184bhp. Both engines get almighty slugs of torque 350 and 400Nm respectively (perfect for towing) and will return more than 40mpg in the process. Every model also gets the choice of either a 6 speed manual or automatic transmission, perfect for motorway cruising. So far the new car is shaping up to be rather good and I haven’t even got to the best bits yet.

For your not very costly outlay, the Captiva comes packed with extras, so many in fact that it’s almost pointless ticking anything on the options list. The base LS model comes with 17” alloys, air-con, 6 speaker stereo system with steering wheel controls, MP3 jack, a whole bunch of airbags and countless storage bins for all your families accumulated junk. Although as previously mentioned it is only FWD. However, if its versatility and practicality you’re after, the best model to go for is the (still excellent value) LT at £27,695. For that price you get all the LS’s equipment plus, a rather handy 4WD system, 7 incredibly versatile seats, climate control, trip computer and part leather interior. A rather good feature of this aforementioned seven seat car is that 6 of them can be folded flat in order to create an absolutely humongous load capacity, brilliant if you have a penchant for buying second hand surfboards.

Previous UK Chevrolets lacked any visual impact whatsoever; the same cannot be said for the new Captiva. It is big and quite definitely American in every single way. Now usually being American is not always a good thing but I think it works to the Captiva’s advantage. The big imposing grill, chiselled muscular edges and forward leaning stance all give the car real presence. The Captiva is the car equivalent of what happens if an American footballer was to walk into your local and order a Budweiser. His charm and bravado will repel some but undoubtedly attract many more, because underneath the good looks and athletic ability is actually a rather charming, friendly person. The new Captiva captures this aspect of America and Americans that previous Chevvy’s failed to and it is likely to win it a few fans. Sure its European competition might be beautifully engineered, designed and built but in the process they have all become a bit clinical, dull and in truth not very fun. The Captiva has avoided this, it’s big, versatile, charming and ready to take on the world, just like an American should be.

It might be clichéd to say but there is no denying that transporting your family in a high riding 4WD makes you feel at ease. And what better way to transport them, than in a car which has room for the grandparents, a bunch of bikes, enough torque to tow your house and good enough mpg to mean you don’t get to know the person at the petrol station by name. Not to mention leave you enough money in the first place to actually go on holiday to America. You could do a lot worse than get a new Captiva, especially with the chance of another artic winter on the way. Go and have a look, you might just be surprised.

Toyota FT-86

Toyota and Subaru in recent years have had a pretty dismal track record when it comes to exciting new cars. Toyota killed off the MR2, Celica and Supra, opting instead to produce stuff like the clever but utterly lacklustre Prius and totally un-urban Urban Cruiser. Subaru also seemed keen to kill off any macho reputation they once had, by turning the Impreza from burbling rally legend into an awful hatchback to try and take on the might of the Focus and Golf. So I think it goes without saying that the motoring world gave a collective sigh of relief when it became clear that the fruits of the Toyota/Subaru partnership would be a sports car, not a hum drum eco box.

So on to the sparse but very intriguing details. The Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ will essentially be the same car in different states of tune with differing badges and wheels to distinguish between the two. More is known about the Toyota thanks to the link on their website, and its appearance in the Gran Turismo 5 Playstation game. The engine is a Subaru developed boxer unit mated to a six speed manual sending power to the back wheels through a limited slip differential (good start in my opinion). All the oily bits will be set as low and as close to the middle of the car as possible, so it should be quite an agile and well balanced little coupe. It will develop roughly 200bhp and weigh not much more than a postage stamp, adding to the speculation that it should be quite handy when confronted with a nice piece of tarmac. In terms of cost the Toyota will be the cheaper of the two sister cars at around 20k, not bad value for what sounds like an awesome little package. The Subaru BRZ is the more elusive of the two cars, all that’s known is it will cost a little bit more, probably 25k and for that money it is likely to come with a horsepower figure closer to 300bhp. However one thing that is certain is that there will be no fabled Subaru 4WD system, like the Toyota it too will be RWD.

Both cars get there official release at the Tokyo Motor show in November, so we don’t have long to wait to see what the production versions of both cars will look like. However, we can presume the Toyota won’t change much from the FT-86 concept. It has a classic coupe profile, long, low nose rising to a higher wide rear. A wide air intake and what look like gills with running lights at the front combined with flared arches make it look particularly aggressive.  At the rear twin exhausts, boot spoiler and a rear diffuser help set the car off.

The world awaits the official release of both the Toyota and Subaru, however based on what we can see of the Toyota and read about both cars I think they will go some way to resurrecting both companies rather bland brand image of late. It is also superb that in a time of little money and avid environmentalists two companies can come together, disregard current ideologies and build a fun, good looking, petrol powered, manual, RWD sports car. Well done “Tobaru”!

Using a Mobile Phone whilst Driving

Injury, damage to your car or accidental third party liability are usually covered by your car insurance policy, however if the accident occurs whilst you are talking on the phone, you may find that your car insurance claim is not valid.

If you are caught talking on your phone, you will be issued with a fixed penalty fine, and this fine can rise to up to £1,000 if the driver contests it. You will also get three penalty points on your license. Points on your license mean that your car insurance provider may increase your car insurance premium, as you are viewed as a potential risk on the road. For your own safety, and for cheaper car insurance, you should therefore avoid using or talking on your mobile phone whilst driving.

The British Medical Journal found that car drivers are four times more likely to have an accident if they are using their mobile phones whilst driving.¹ Hands-free equipment does not make driving more safe either, as drivers can still be distracted and at risk of an accident. The Government Department for Transport reports that driver’s reaction times are 50% slower if they are using a phone whilst driving.²

Talking on the phone whilst driving is dangerous, but texting or reading messages on your phone is also very dangerous. As you write a message, you will take your eyes away from the road for several seconds – this is more than enough time for another vehicle to change position unexpectedly or for an obstacle to appear and create a collision.

You should be aware that it is also illegal to use your mobile even if you’ve stopped at traffic lights, if you are stuck in a traffic jam or you are in a car park. According to the law these events still constitute the legal definition of ‘driving on the road’, and you are therefore not allowed to use or talk on your phone.

You should never talk on your mobile whilst driving, and if you know someone is driving you should not call or contact them. Car insurance is designed to protect you financially in case of an accident, but it’s best to do everything you can to avoid an accident in the first place.

[1] – www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-355502/Car-phone-users-times-likely-crash.html

[2] – think.direct.gov.uk/mobile-phones.html

Company Profile:

John Lewis Insurance offers a range of insurance services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include pet, life, travel, wedding, event, car and household insurance products.

Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nurburgring Edition

Coming to a Vauxhall dealership near you this month, the Vauxhall Corsa VXR Nurburgring Edition will be priced from £22,995.  Not inexpensive and if that proves hard to swallow consider a quality used vauxhall. Having leased a Vauxhall Corsa 1.8, I know how crazy it can feel to have so much power underneath the bonnet of a small car. However this is more Saxo VTR / Clio Sport land than that. Well-off boy racers, you are reading the right blog. This VXR has 1.6 turbo engine, increased torque (up to 250-280 Nm) in excess of 200 bhp resulting in a 0.60mph of 6.5 seconds with a 145 mph top speed.

Considerable work  and testing has been carried out between the Luton mechanics and the Nurburgring racing track. Traction control, electronic stability, braking and chassis modifications have been made in order to deal with the increased PS. The brakes are brand new – Brembo brakes and so is the suspension which is provided by Blistein.

The Corsa VXR Nurburgring has impressive specification and headline stats but is potentially too dear. It is about £5K more expensive than the Clio Sport and that is very much the benchmark in the premium boy racing bracket. After another September where Ford have stolen the UK car market headlines, this is a well-timed development for General Motors as they look to challenge the leaders that possess the jewel in the crown that is the Ford Fiesta.

If crazily fast, small cars are your thing then definitely check out this new beast. Trusted Dealers have a huge co-operative of Vauxhall franchised dealers and will be displaying this vehicle in their showrooms later this month – click here to find your nearest new and used Vauxhall retailer.

Jaguar C-X16 Review

The second thing to point out is that the C-X16 is not a replacement for the XK, it is a whole new car that will slot into Jag’s line up. Whereas the XK is unashamedly a Grand Tourer designed for eloping across Europe, the new car is designed to be an out and out sports car ready to scare the bejesus out of you.

Jaguar over recent years have become quite handy when it comes to wielding a design pencil, the XF, XJ and XK have all replaced their rather dated looking predecessors, rescuing the brand from the brink of financial meltdown. The C-X16 looks fit to continue this rebranding and I feel a closer look at it is required to understand its beauty and uncanny resemblance to the aforementioned E-Type. From side on the car has that typical long nose, short rear profile of the iconic coupe. It also features a gently sloping glass hatch that’s not all too dissimilar from the coupe E-type. That glass hatch leads down to the thin horizontal rear lights, which wrap around both sides of the car, stopping just before and above the rear wheels. At the bottom of the sculpted rear bumper sits a rather purposeful looking rear diffuser housing quad upswept exhausts at either side. From the front the C-X16 looks equally as good. Its swept back headlights and wide open grill make it look ever so slightly like the animal after which the company takes its name. From every angle the car looks fast, its bonnet’s bulge with little air scoops on either side give it a 70’s, muscle car feel and hint at the supercharged engine beneath, which funnily enough is the next part of the car that I feel needs exploring.

Engine wise, the C-X16 features a not too shabby, all new supercharged 3 litre V6. However, the C-X16 is an experimental hybrid, which means it’s got an electric motor too! Total power equates to 380bhp from the engine and 95bhp from the electric motor. It uses the electric motor in the same way as the KERS system in an F1 car, meaning that you can press a big shinny button to release a boost of power to get past any particularly slow moving traffic. Thanks to this instant torque of the electric motor, coupled to the V6, 0-62mph is dealt with in 4.4 seconds and top speed is limited to an adequately illegal 186mph. Despite the turn of speed, the icing on the cake for all this hybrid’ness is a city car rivalling mpg of 41 and low C02 emissions for a car of this class at 165g/km. Finally, what this also means is that the car can run on pure electric power at, according to Jaguar, up to 50mph. Pretty clever stuff I’m sure you’ll agree, but it doesn’t stop there. The car also features the obligatory stop/start system and electric regeneration to recharge itself. All the power and techy bits are hooked up to the rear wheels through Jaguars new 8 speed auto box with manual override, which has just debuted in the 2.2 diesel XF.

Jaguar C-X16 Concept car

Inside the C-X16’s very red interior there is an abundance of clever gadgetry, which hints at what sort of things Jags of the future will offer. There is a plug which can be used for connecting numerous types of smartphone, the touchscreen display in the centre consul then changes to reflect the specific phones layout. It then allows you to use the phones functions through the cars screen. Very clever stuff although totally useless if you still use a Nokia 3310. Having a touchscreen in the centre means that the need for masses of buttons is no longer, this gives the cabin a simple uncluttered and elegant appearance. The only major controls left, are the beautifully crafted aluminium heater knobs, gear selector and steering wheel of course!

Although this car is still officially a concept, the amount of real world technology, viable engine and performance figures, suggest it will become a production ready car sooner rather than later. It is likely to make a welcome addition to Jaguars line up and put more than just a worried thought into Porsche and Aston’s bosses heads, as this car will be major competition for the new 911 and now dated V8 Vantage. Although Jaguar insists it is not a new E-Type there are definitely some visual cues to the classic, which is in no means a bad thing. However Jag doesn’t need to worry, the C-X16 is definitely a unique, modern, sports car of the future.

A well-researched used car can represent the best possible value when purchasing a vehicle.  Some cars lose a great deal of value as soon as they leave the showroom; this value can be transferred to the buyer’s pocket.

If you’re buying a relatively new used car and want big savings, you should research which cars depreciate most quickly – see motors.co.uk/ for more information about buying used cars.  Some brands offer big savings after delivery mileage.  Most of the more obscure brands lose over fifty percent of their value in the first couple of years due to their lack of re-sale marketability.

For many buyers, a used car is the best option available.  If you’re on a limited budget and you want a used car at the bottom end of the price scale there are an abundance of bargains out there, but you need to be a bit more thorough in terms of inspecting the vehicle. It can be easy to cover up mechanical flaws to the untrained eye and there is a series of questions that need to be asked before handing over your money.  With this in mind you can rest easy in the value of your purchase.

A minor pitfall of buying a used car is that, in the main, they won’t offer an extended warranty and they could be suffering from previous damage, so to get a bargain you need to run some checks to protect your investment.  A car can be test driven for a good length of time without really showing any serious underlying faults.  Head gasket damage, a worn cam belt, rust and all the problems that occur under the bonnet need to be queried and checked.  This can be done through an independent inspection or through the advice of somebody with a reasonable level of expertise.

With good research and a comprehensive check-over, there is a good probability that a used car will offer the best value for money deal on the market.

Firstly as briefly mentioned already, private registrations can cost an obscene amount of money, which when you consider how utterly useless they actually are make them seem rather silly. Some examples; do you live near the M1 motorway and adore its vast expanse of tarmac so much you fancy the number plate M1? Well it could be yours for the costly sum of £331,500. Are you David Cameron? Do you want to rub in the fact you now live at number ten Downing Street by putting “10” on the plate of the Jag XJ? It could be yours for £210,242 of fine taxpayer’s money. These registrations really did sell for these prices albeit not those buyers, but still, not one penny of their pointless cost went to any good cause whatsoever.

The next pitfall is what do some registrations actually mean? I have spent countless car journeys transfixed, trying to figure out what the Porsche Cayenne’s number plate in front of me actually means. Pondering so hard that I barely notice the light change to red or the squirrel run out in front of me, only to eventually realise that S5 HRT means “shirt” and has no significance at all, to anything.  Another issue with private plates is choosing the right one. They have the ability to make your car look older and worse than it actually is, especially if you buy one with the standard UK 7 digits. For example P787 ATE might have significance to you, attached to your Ford GT. But if a person who knows nothing about cars see’s it they might just tell others they saw a sporty P registration Ford. And I would immediately presume they spotted a rusty Ford Probe, oh how exotic!

Arrogance is my final problem with the private registration. Adorning whatever car with number plates like; B16 BOY, G5 POT, BOS 555Y, FR51 SKY and HU57 LUR make whoever is driving it look like a total tool! Fair enough the people who buy them might have the confidence to drive around with them on, but inside, secretly, everybody else thinks they just look stupid. The owners will also have to remember that owning such a plate makes their white Range Rover Sport on 22 inch rims stand out even more from the crowd. Meaning that if said vehicle becomes recognised for questionable driving, seeing that distinct plate trying to pull out from a junction is likely to be met with hostility rather than a friendly wave, be prepared!

In conclusion then, private car number plates are hugely popular, hugely expensive and utterly pointless. They have the ability to make cars look old and their drivers idiotic if chosen wrongly. But there is no question that they can make ordinary people like you and I feel a little bit unique and special, in a world where everyone seems to be driving the exact same car and wearing the exact same jacket as you. Just please think carefully before buying because we really don’t want a B16 SXY PR08 LEM.

Fiat Panda 2012 First Look Review

The third generation of the Panda will hit the streets early in 2012 and from the pictures it is still recognisably a Panda, albeit slightly more bloated than the last one. It’s lost its angular edges, now sporting a rounder, chubby, smiling face. This theme continues along the car with big chunky wings and doors. However Fiat still manages to encompass those trademark flared Panda wheel arches. Round the back the Panda is still very flat, but now embraces Fiat’s design identity of a large black bump strip. This unfortunately makes the Panda look a bit like one of Fiat’s Doblo vans from behind. Never the less the car as a whole looks like it’s ready for the rough and tumble of the urban jungle if you will.

The bigger outside dimensions also mean that the Panda has grown on the inside too; however, this also has something to do with the clever packaging and design of the interior. The new car features incredibly skinny seat backs… how very interesting you might think, but they allow plenty of leg room for 3 back seat passengers. It’s very dull yet it’s very clever things like this that make the Panda so ingenious. For instance have you ever wanted to carry a long plank of wood but find your normal car is a bit too short? Not to worry, with the Panda you can fold the front passenger seat flat to carry one. Either that or use the back of the seat as a make shift table. Keeping on the interior note the new Panda will feature plenty of tech. Which is a far cry from the original panda, I would know, my dad owned one. The new one is the equivalent of bringing an ipad to a medieval jousting event. Tech includes, electric everything, power steering that can be switched to be uber light for city driving. It also has stop/start and auto emergency brakes that come on at anything up to 20mph if you’re about to hit a tree. The Panda can also be spec’d with a big panoramic sunroof if you so wish.

New Fiat Panda 2012 Review

Engine wise, the new Panda is available with Fiat’s excellently frugal Twinair two cylinder petrol engines, with either 64bhp or 84bhp in turbo’d form. It is also available with a 1.2 litre petrol (68bhp) and a 1.3 multijet diesel (74bhp), still both good in their own right.

To conclude then, the new Panda is bigger, rounder and cleverer than the old one. It also happens to be a million miles away from the 80’s original in terms of simplicity. However, times have moved on and it seems as if the Panda will continue to solidify Fiat’s growing reputation for funky, practical and frugal little cars. It’s basically a Fiat 500 for slightly less image conscious and slightly more practical people.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles

However, there’s a couple of matters to get out of the way first before thinking further about acquiring a WAV, unless you’ve got a ton of money, of course, and then you can simply buy one outright! But, with money being in such short supply these days, most of us are not in such a fortunate position.

In order to qualify for the Motability Car scheme, and thus get your hands on a brand new WAV through either leasing or by means of hire purchase, for example, you must be in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance (DLA) or receive the war pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.

Then all you do is simply agree to turn a part of your DLA benefit – or even all of it – over to Motability in return for the vehicle of your choosing. There’s nothing more involved than that because all the paperwork is taken care of for you, too, and you don’t have to bother with assessments, credit checks or even tiresome waiting lists. What could be simpler?

You’d be forgiven for thinking it all sounds just a little bit too good to be true, especially considering all the ‘goodies’ which automatically come attached to the leasing package. But it’s all for real and probably the main reason why the majority of wheelchair users opt for leasing, and then carry on with the package year after year.

Best to check out Motability’s web site for all the latest up-to-date information. And while there, you’ll also be able to find the Motability car dealerships closest to where you live, too. Just call them up and away you go!

The worry-free leasing package includes more than 4,000 cars to choose from, several hundred of which require absolutely no up-front advance payment. Some of the more expensive vehicles, however, do require the non-refundable advance payment, which is paid to your car dealer in addition to the weekly mobility allowance.

The leasing package also comes with insurance, servicing and maintenance, full RAC breakdown assistance, annual tax disc, tyre and windscreen replacement, and a 60,000 mileage allowance over 3 years. Depending on your particular circumstances, you might need certain adaptations to the vehicle, for example, in order to help you to drive. Many of these adaptations are free.

Not being able to drive doesn’t bar wheelchair users from leasing wheelchair accessible vehicles. Instead, they can nominate up to two other people to do the driving for them. Pay a little bit extra and a third person can also be nominated.

And once the three-year leasing term comes to an end, simply transfer everything over to a new lease with another brand new car. Happy motoring!

Some of the more sophisticated units, such as the Garmin Nuvi 1490T, offer live traffic updates, lane assist technology and speed camera warning sounds. Getting from A to B has never been easier, and with the continually evolving technology the future of driving a motor vehicle will start to look very different indeed. Surprisingly, on-board navigation units have been around in some form for many decades. As far back as the 1930s, drivers were able to follow directional systems, although they looked somewhat different in those days. They had pre-printed maps scrolling across a display area, and were linked to the speedometer of the car.

The modern GPS units are very different, of course, but it’s worth remembering they have only been available on general release for a few years. Many new cars are including on-board sat nav systems as standard, but for most of us they are bought separately from stores and online retailers and affixed to the dashboard or the inside of the windscreen.

One of the most popular manufacturers is TomTom, a Dutch company that has a reputation for producing some of the most sophisticated models on the market. Through their website, users can even download new voices to their units. Among the more intriguing people to offer their vocal skills are Snoop Dogg, Brian Blessed and Billy Connolly.

TomTom have a number of sat nav systems on the market at the moment. Their XXL IQ Routes model has an easy to read 5-inch screen, so users will be able to clearly see where they should be going. Like most GPS units, it has a touchscreen feature so is remarkably easy to operate, even for people who have little experience in this area.

When the first commercial sat nav systems became popular, the spoken directions merely advised the driver to ‘turn right’, ‘turn left’, etc. But recently a number of units have been released which feature spoken street names. This feature can be extremely useful for motorists who are looking for a specific road.

These exceptionally useful accessories are available at prices to suit all pockets. The more basic models can be purchased for less than £100, an amazing bargain when you consider the time and fuel that can be saved over the course of a year. As with all consumer products, if you’re prepared to pay more you will be able to get a more sophisticated item, of course, so there are systems for just about anyone.

Early GPS units featured street maps of the relevant country, but rarely went beyond that. It was often possible to purchase extra maps over the Internet, so if you were planning to travel abroad you could be prepared. The modern systems often include mapping for several countries, with the Garmin Nuvi 3790T offering maps of 43 countries.

David Rice works with UK based car leasing company Nationwide Vehicle Contracts who offer out a wide variety of car leasing deals.

Mercedes Benz B-CLASS

The B-class is being touted as the ‘Baby Benz’ with Mercedes deciding to go with a smaller model. People are eagerly anticipating the car and what it will look like and if the interior is anything to go by, well, it’s set to be truly stunning.

From the small picture you can already see several lovely details when it comes to the interior, the beige leather seats and arm rests compliment the black interior perfectly with the air con units that look like truly fantastic and the rest of the, what looks like polished metal looks fantastic. The main stand out in the interior though has to be the navigation system. Unlike most modern cars the navigation system doesn’t sit in the dashboard it looks more like it is docked in there and the actual system looks like an iPad in design. With regards to the navigation system Mercedes have given a small slither of information on that aspect of the new car describing the design as “first-class” with the “ornamental frame with galvanized surface contrasting with the piano black front panel”.

Probably the most major thing that people with a keener eye noticed was the navigation system showed Google’s home page on it in one of the pictures. Although it’s still just a rumour from a picture it could suggest that wireless internet may be a feature in the new car and it is strengthened by the fact that several recent high end cars have been looking into wireless internet.

Overall though from what little information we have on the new B-Class it seems sensible enough to begin to get excited about what it could bring and what it will look like come September. Speculation aside though, there’s not too long until we finally find out all the information on the B-class and lets hope the final product is as brilliant as its first impression.

The BMW 5 Series has been a stand out in these financial reports

These results are showing that economic times aren’t as detrimental as in the previous years. Two of the stand out motors that have helped BMW boost sales were the X1 and the new 5 series, the increasing popularity of the X1 doesn’t seem to be slowing down with sales boosting up 34.2% and a massive 80.3% for the new 5 series which totals 170,708 for the 5 series alone.

Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG have the following to say:
“The first half of 2011 has been the best six month period in the BMW Group’s history. We have achieved new sales volume, revenues and earnings records both for the second quarter and six month period. Strong demand worldwide for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars, together with efficiency improvements in all areas of the company have contributed greatly to this outstanding performance.”

As if the brilliant sales hadn’t buoyed the BMW group enough, their financial sector also saw great increases in their financial revenue. During the last couple of years there has been a huge increase in company leasing and it seems no different with the financial report showing that BMW leasing is also at a huge increase. The total number of lease and finance contracts increased by 5.1% to 3,277,247 in June 2011. As well as this the number of new contracts signed went up by 12.2% with the leasing business overall growing by 20.4% over the same period.

It seems the financial crisis in the car manufacturer industry is steadily slowing down with more people feeling comfortable when it comes to buying a new car or leasing a vehicle. This can only show good signs for the future of the automobile industry if the likes of BMW and their sister companies are showing increasing profits and turnover.

Jaguar XKR-S Review

Looking at the car it is easy to see this Jaguar is primarily focused on speed. The lightweight aluminium frame means that not only does this make this car extremely zippy, it also makes it more economical on fuel. Combined with razor sharp handing for precision steering and acute responses, with improved balance, all the tweaks have been made with a focus on fast. The engine itself is a supercharged 5.0 litre V8, the most powerful engine in any mass produced Jaguar. The top speed of the Jaguar XKR-S is a whopping 186mph and it can reach 0 – 60 in just 4.2 seconds. The sports exhaust not only powers these lightened speeds but creates that satisfying growl that all executive car owners want to hear. All together, changes to the rear body of the car are said to produce a 26% reduction in lift, meaning that the Jaguar XKR-S will stay grounded and smooth even at hurtling speeds. With all of that extra supercharge, Jaguar had to too incorporate an improved breaking system. It would have been irresponsible not to! The 20 inch alloy wheels and increased tyre thickness with double piston front callipers and sliding rear callipers result in improved grip and precision.

Despite this,  the Jaguar XKR S is ultimately designed for the everyday driver, so overall driving performance was also on the agenda. Handy technologies like a reverse parking camera, which sends pictures from the read of the car to the 7inch touch screen in the dash, along with the active Jaguar Drive Control System which can be changed and adapted according to weather conditions and road surfaces means that this car has been optimised for maximum driving ease and comfort. All new cars are kitted out with the ultimate driving gadgets and this Jaguar is no exception, including a portable audio interface which gives full control of MP3 players, phones and Ipods and any other storage system which can easily be connected and used to play your music through the Bowers and Wilkins 525W sound system. Did you ever think that a car needed surround sound? Well if not, then this Jaguar is probabaly not the one for you, as it features a state of the art Dolby surround sound system to ensure that every passenger benefits from optimum sound quality throughout the car. This would be needed though, as there would be a lot to compete with from the sound of that beastly exhaust.

Not only this, but the driver can easily change and control gears from a one touch panel system on the steering wheel. You would be forgiven for thinking that this car is merely a technology toy than a comfortable and practical vehicle choice, however you would be wrong. The ‘active damping’ system is acutely designed to constantly monitor the cars movement. So if you are cruising sensibly on the school run, the Jag will soften the suspension to maximise on comfort. On the other hand, however, if you are hurtling down the German autobahns at breakneck speed, the system will automatically increase suspension firmness and grip.

The Jaguar XKR-S is an excellent example of modern motoring innovation and results in the perfect combination between an ideal executive car and the wannabe racing drivers dream.

The Typhoon Display Team has a busy season ahead of it and will be attending 16 air shows during 2011, not only in the UK and Northern Ireland but also in Europe. In addition, there is pre-season travel to and from flight simulators and airports and the Display Team Managers have to attend meetings with air show organisers and sponsors. All in all a great deal of road travel is involved.

Mazda Motors UK is providing 3 vehicles to the Display Team to facilitate the transportation of its personnel, their kit and the aircraft’s computer support equipment. The vehicles being provided are a Mazda5 and two Mazda CX-7 models. The Mazda5, with its flexible seating and sliding rear doors is considered as ideal by the Typhoon Display Team for the transportation of its equipment whilst the roomy Mazda CX-7 will be perfect for comfortable and quick travel to and from venues.

Mazda CX-7

Mazda describes the CX-7 as a luxury, mid-size crossover vehicle – a cross between a sports car and a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) – offering practicality, performance and style. It features 6-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats and a 60/40 fold flat rear seating arrangement.

Meanwhile the Mazda5 is described by its manufacturers as being “the ultimate multi-purpose people carrier”. It has high levels of versatility, practicality and safety technology such as dual front and side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags. The Mazda5’s sliding rear doors, so appreciated by the Typhoon Display Team, means that getting the children etc in and out is no problem at all. Depending on the seat configuration that is employed, the Mazda5 can have a load space of a massive 857 litres.

Flight Lieutenant Tim Clement, the 2011 Typhoon Display Pilot commented, “The Royal Air Force Typhoon is an incredible, world beating, multi role aircraft. I am extremely privileged to fly the Typhoon Display in this superb aircraft. The sponsorship provided by Mazda goes a long way to assisting the Display Team in producing this exceptional display.”

The managing director of Mazda UK, Jeremy Thomson said, “Mazda is very proud to be associated with the RAF Typhoon Display Team in 2011 by providing vehicles to support the Team. We look forward to engaging in the 2011 sponsorship through air shows, dealership activities, competitions and supporting fundraising efforts for one of their chosen charities, the Not Forgotten Association.”

In 2010, the RAF Typhoon Display Team raised more than £12,000 for its chosen charities. In 2011, the Display Team will be fundraising for the Forces Children Trust, the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as the Not Forgotten Association.

It is estimated that each Mazda vehicle will cover about 8,000 miles during the 2011 display season.

This article was provided by Jennings Mazda Sunderland UK mazda MX-5 Specialist dealership

BMW M1 Coupe Photo of front

Let’s begin with everyone’s favourite topic, the BMW M1 facts and figures. It has 335bhp, does 0-60 in 4.9secs and has a maximum torque figure of 369lb ft. A figure that could indicate that BMW have shot themselves in the foot, as this car’s big brother the M3 only manages 295lb ft of torque. These numbers are thanks in part to a 3 litre twin turbo charged straight six feeding power naturally to the rear wheels through a 6 speed manual. Yes you read that correctly this new M car actually has a manual, not some flappy paddle nonsense.

BMW Series 1 M Coupe photo in motion

The M1 Coupe looks like it means business; it’s all taught, muscular and aggressive. So much so that it looks like it wants to take you outside for a fight. The coupe shape has been significantly widened, firstly to accommodate those wide 19 inchers, and also because it’s got the rear diff and suspension set up stolen straight from the M3 out the back. This coupled with BMW’s already brilliant reputation for making sublime handling cars means it should be pretty handy when you need to change direction. The only criticism of the new car is that it sits quite high, do not get me wrong the car still looks excellent, it could just do with being more hunkered down. Making those wide wheels fill the arches more will add the finishing touch to this cars mean road presence.

The M coupe harks back both in dimensions and appearance to the classic E30 and E36 M3’s of the 80’s and 90’s. The question is whether it will live up to the reputation those cars have among keen drivers and BMW purists alike? Personally I think this cars release will add some much needed credentials and muscle to the 1 series range. However only time will tell if it becomes an iconic M car.