European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has set out its forecast for 2015 and released last year’s registration figures for electric vehicles. Last year, new passenger car registrations were up 5.7% on the previous year, reaching 12.6 million units. “This is significant because it was the EU’s first positive annual result since the financial crisis began in 2007, with December marking … [Read more...]
Features
Brits love their classic cars
Classic vehicle insurer, Ageas Insurance Limited, has unveiled the top ten classic cars it covers. Nine out of ten of the cars on the list are British made with the MG B coming in at the number 1 spot. Graham Ellis, Niche/Schemes Underwriter, Personal Motor at Ageas UK said, “When we look at the top vehicles we cover under our Optima Classic Car policy, what really stands out for us is the … [Read more...]
Seat belts anniversary marked by fatal complacency
The Institute of Advanced Motorists is warning that despite 50 years of seat belt laws, far too many drivers and passengers are still putting themselves and others in great danger by not wearing seat belts. The first seat belt law came into force in January 1965, which saw all new cars in the UK required to have seat belt anchorage points on the outer front seats – and paved the way for … [Read more...]
Sensory apprehension to warn of two-wheelers
Jaguar Land Rover is developing new technologies using colours, sounds and touch inside the car to alert drivers to potential hazards and prevent accidents involving cycles and motorbikes. Sensors on the car will detect when another road user is approaching and identify it as bicycle or motorbike. Bike Sense will then make the driver aware of the potential hazard before the driver sees … [Read more...]
Safest cars highlighted by crash testers
Euro NCAP has identified the models tested in 2014 that have achieved the highest scores in their respective class. The best performers in their size categories in Euro NCAP’s 2014 tests were: the Mercedes Benz C Class; Skoda Fabia; Nissan Qashqai, Land Rover Discovery Sport and VW Golf Sportsvan. Of 2014’s five star cars, these are the vehicles that achieved the highest overall scores in … [Read more...]
Welsh-made Sinclair C5 rolls towards 30th anniversary
The 30th birthday of the Sinclair C5, one of the most unusual vehicles ever to be built in Britain, is being celebrated by the National Motor Museum. First on display in the museum following its launch on 10 January 1985, visitors can again see this electrically-powered tricycle, which was gifted to the museum by its manufacturer. Despite failing to catch the public’s imagination at its … [Read more...]
Wales’ supercar business takes off
Despite launching his business as the recession nightmare enveloped Britain, Andrew Walsh has turned his dream into a driving passion. The ex-Formula Renault European champion from Swansea began offering performance driving days in a second-hand Lotus Elise and has built Car Limits into a high-speed success story. He now maintains a stable of 22 cars worth over £1.2M and including three … [Read more...]