If you think the UK Driving test is hard, spare a a few thoughts for candidates in other countries, where toy cars, no examiners or even other candidates might be in the vehicle. The weird and wonderful world of driving tests has been studied by Zuto, who came up with the following differences: Zuto Finance compiled data in their study analysing over 190 countries to find out how practical and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan X-Trail Tekna 1.7 dCi 150hp
Nissan introduced the original X-Trail in 2001 when it was a hard-core proper dual-purpose 4x4 workhorse which sold in huge numbers around the world, writes David Miles. From 2007 the X-Trail moved from hard-core 4x4 to SUV/Crossover and in 2017 received further restyling and specification changes to soften its image into a more family friendly suitable model. The large X-Trail shares much of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Corsa-e Elite Nav 11kW
Britain’s oldest car-maker is gearing up for the electric future, beginning with the Corsa-e, writes Robin Roberts. The highly popular small hatchback is a natural starting point aimed at those who mostly commute or have low mileage lifestyles. Responding to the UK Government’s drive towards lower and zero emission cars from 2030, the Vauxhall Corsa-e is available in six trim … [Read more...]
Disabled drivers challenged at ev charging points
A new survey of electric vehicle (EV) drivers has found issues around accessibility for disabled users. Zap-Map, the UK’s leading EV mapping service, polled 2,200 EV drivers on their experiences of using Britain’s charging network. The survey has been running for four years and is seen as the go-to guide for tracking EV driver behaviour and charging patterns for the electric vehicle … [Read more...]
SUV sales are stalling as hatchbacks & wagons pick up
November saw a double-digit year-on-year drop in European new car registrations as part of the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In November, the market registered 1,045,129 new cars – 13% less than for the same period in 2019 and it has recorded the lowest volume since 2014, when just 989,500 units were registered. Year-to-date figures continue to point to a concerning trend, with … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 December
The Nissan LEAF has reached its 10th birthday. During that time 500,000 LEAF owners have covered over 16 Billion Kms and prevented a massive 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year, while covering enough kilometres to drive around the earth 400,000 times! Hyundai UK has confirmed pricing and specifications for its comprehensively updated Kona sub-compact SUV, which now … [Read more...]
Morris bows out of Bentley on a high
International GT racer Seb Morris signed-off his career as a factory driver for British manufacturer Bentley with an expectedly competitive performance on his debut outing at Kyalami in South Africa on Saturday during the final round of the series. Teaming with Oliver Jarvis and Alex Buncombe in the customer M-Sport squad’s No.8 Bentley Continental GT3, Welshman Morris - from … [Read more...]
EVs attracting company car drivers
Employees who have previously taken cash options are returning to company car schemes in “noticeable” numbers thanks to electric vehicles, reports Arval UK.Shaun Sadlier, head of consulting at Arval UK, said this was something that was predicted when the latest zero and low benefit-in-kind rates for EVs were unveiled in 2019, but is now becoming increasingly more apparent. He said: “Many cash … [Read more...]
Ghosn in French tax probe
French tax authorities have reportedly seized funds from Carlos Ghosn and his wife. He is under investigation in France for possible tax evasion during his last three years heading Renault and Nissan, according to media reports. Lawyers for Ghosn and French tax authorities have been discussing since the middle of 2019 whether the former CEO was a French resident during 2016, 2017 and 2018 after … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 December
Toyota and Lexus models roll off production lines at the rate of 19.9 models a minute. Moneyshake analysed the makers and found Volkswagen Group built 19.8 cars a minute, Hyundai 13.7, GM 13.0 and Ford 12.2 per minute but they fade into the background when all China makers churn out 48.9 cars a minute, more than double the rate in the US. Honda Swindon has restarted car production. It stopped … [Read more...]