Motoring Newsbriefs

Oct 6 2009 Maurice Glover

L-PLATE RIP OFFMORE than eight out of 10 young learner drivers think insurance companies charge too much to add their names to their parents' car policies.

Firms are charging inexperienced 17-year-olds anything from £2,000 to £5,000, claims specialist insurer Young Marmalade.

'The result is that 300,000 learners drive around in the UK illegally each yer - an horrific situation in terms of road safety," says the company.

'Alternatively, learners have no extra driving practice outside professional training as parents dodge the huge hike in premiums.

'British Driving Standards recommend at least 22 hours additional practice before the test and this isn't happening because parents just can't afford it,' says Young Marmalade chief Crispin Moger, whose company allows learners to obtain cover in their own name from £90 per month

ELECTRIC CHARGEBRITAIN'S first electric police car is set to go on patrol.

Mitsubishi will allow officers in the West Midlands to crack down on crime while cracking down on CO2 emissions by providing them with its first i MiEV supermini model to be supplied in police livery in December.

Capable of a top speed of 81mph and with a range of 100 miles from a full charge of its battery, the Japanese city car has featured on the 'wanted' list of several police authorities since it made its debut at the National Police Show in September.

'The car is capable of reaching 81mph all-out and has a range of 100 miles from a full charge of its battery and we've been inundated with requests for trials from forces across the country since we shoed it," said managing director Lance Bradley.

'We're being told it is an ideal vehicle for urban policing, and the ability to carry four adult passengers in comfort along with their equipment makes it a versatile vehicle for community policing.

'The I MiEV has been on trial in Britain for almost a year and we're delighted the police recognise the future of zero emissions driving requires no compromise,' .

COUPE COUPVOLVO is turning up the heat on its competitors by introducing two revised coupes at almost unchanged prices.

The new C30 sport coupe will be on sale in January priced from £14,495 while the larger C70 coupe convertible will be priced from £25,795.

In the case of the C30 prices are unchanged while the C70 is up by £700.

Both models feature new look front ends and other minor styling changes while the mid-range C70 models now include a Bluetooth hands-free system and a upgraded sound system as standard.

£80,000 HYUNDAIPASSENGERS should find relaxation comes particularly easy in South Korea's latest limousine.

Rear seat occupants in the new Equus from Hyundai will be able to wallow in the comfort of the world's first power-driven footrest, seat leg support, relax posture control and massage system.

Costing up to £80,000, the company's most sophisticated and luxurious model is a long-wheelbase saloon built to compete with the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes S-Class and claimed to offer unparalleled levels of interior space and luxury.

Said to be longer than major competitors by as much as 310 mm and boasting up to 376 mm more backseat legroom, it has the most powerful engine ever built for a Hyundai production car and is claimed to outperform competitors such as the Lexus LS460L by 20PS and the Mercedes S500L by 12PS.

Potential export markets are currently being assessed, but Hyundai says the car is unlikely to be imported to the UK.

CARBON WATCHSMART technology is making it possible for motorists to monitor the carbon footprint of their cars on their home computer.

Coverbox, a pay-as-you-drive insurer, claims the GPS-based system that allows drivers to monitor time, distance and cost of their journeys online now also provides a readout of carbon emissions directly from the vehicle onboard computer.

'Drivers who can see how motoring costs can be reduced by the time they travel and combining several journeys into one will also find that changing driving habits also cuts tailpipe emissions,' says spokesman Paul Stacy.

Coverbox allows drivers to take out insurance cover by the mile, with the price varying according to the time of travel and get a personal website to track their costs.

MUD ALERTHARVEST time means patches of mud are likely to mean extra danger for unwary drivers, says the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

'Mud on roads is a particular issue around harvest time. If you're driving on a rural road, keep an eye out for indicators such as tractors in the fields, and straw or tractor tyre marks on the roads," warns chief examiner Peter Rodger.

'Field and farm entrances or farm buildings by the roadside are places where the landscape is giving a clue that there could be a problem. If you do find a small amount of mud, be ready for more, and prepare to find yourself on a very slippery surface.

'If it rains the result can be a very slippery film of mud spread across the road.

'If you are among other traffic, drop back from the vehicle ahead and allow yourself more time to see the road surface - and keep away from the mud splattered up onto your windscreen at the same time.

'Mud is an inevitable part of life in the country, and drivers should always expect it to be there. Statistically rural roads are our most dangerous and observation is the key to safe driving.

'By taking this kind of information on board, and by adjusting your driving accordingly, you can avoid being caught by surprise - and accidents due to skidding.'

SURVEY SHOCKERAN alarming number of Britain's business motorists have admitted to being unaware of speed limit regulations.

Twenty six per cent don't know that 70mph is the national speed limit on dual carriageways and one in five failed to quote 60mph as the correct nationwide limit on single carriageways. But almost all of them knew the motorway speed limit, according to Leasedrive Velo.

GREEN VANSCITROEN has pulled off its second successive GreenFleet manufacturer of the year title.

The French firm's efforts to improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of its commercial vehicles have allowed its customers to reduce their carbon footprint, said Greenfleet magazine editor Martin Freedman.

The accolade comes after the Berlingo was named van of the year and small van of the year at the Fleet Van awards and the Berlingo crew van carried off the Institute of Transport Management's LCV of the year title.