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What Car News

• Parents need driving lessons September 2, 2010
  Parents should take a driving lesson or two before teaching their teenagers to drive, says the What Car? Driving School. This would give parents an updated understanding of the Highway Code, and knowledge of the skills required by the new test. The financial crisis has prompted many parents to shun professional driving lessons with driving instructors and play the teacher role themselves, but in the majority of cases parents’ knowledge is out of date.What Car? Driving School is the only national driving school that encourages parents to participate in initial lessons or to take guidance sessions with their teenager’s instructor.‘With over 45% of UK drivers likely to fail the current driving test it is all too clear that these drivers need a refresher driving lesson or two to ensure they do not pass on their bad habits to their teenagers,’ said Paul Atkinson, What Car? Driving School managing director.Parents’ typical bad habits• Approach junctions too quickly• Rush observations• Incorrect use of speed• Drive too close to the vehicle in front• Don’t use mirrors enough'What Car? Driving School recommends that every teenager learning to drive gets as much road experience as possible with their parents when they are safe to do so, but this should be supplementary to professional driving lessons with the highest-quality ADI driving instructors,' said Atkinson.What Car? Driving SchoolGet more information: www.whatcardrivingschool.comGet interactive with whatcar.com...
• Volvo V60 driven September 2, 2010
  What is it?Given half a chance, Volvo will tell you what the new V60 is not. Apparently, it isn't an estate car, despite the fact that it's an estate-shaped version of the S60 saloon, which is designed to be more practical. Instead, Volvo is going with the phrase 'Sports Wagon' to describe the V60, and it says it's the coupe-like roofline that marks the difference.Whatever it is, don't expect a massive boot. It's a reasonable size at 430 litres, but that's only 13 litres bigger than the capacity you get in the outgoing V50, which is a much smaller car. Crucially, though, it's also less space than you get in the rival 'lifestyle' estates from Audi and BMW. However, while the Volvo's boot might not be huge, it's a usefully square-sided shape, and there's more storage space underneath the floor. The space is flexible, too. The rear-seat backrest splits 40-20-40, and each section folds down perfectly flat with no need to pop the bases out of the way first. The front passenger seat also folds far enough forward to be perfectly flat, which helps you accommodate longer loads.The cabin is welcoming for passengers, too, with lots of space, comfortable seats and a high-quality feel. Being a Volvo, you also get bags of safety kit as standard. This includes City Safety, which can sense a slower-moving car ahead, and automatically apply the brakes if you get too close. What's it like to drive?Volvo's plan for the V60 was to make it more practical than the S60 saloon without compromising the driving characteristics. It's no surprise, then, that the two feel remarkably similar on the open road.The ride is a little on the firm side, and although it stays comfortable most of the time, potholes and drain covers can thud into the cabin. The pay-off for this, though, is that body movements are tightly controlled, so the body stays reassuringly stable through bends. There's plenty of grip, too.More photos of the Volvo V60> Volvo V60 1: click to enlarge> Volvo V60 2: click to enlarge> Volvo V60 3: click to enlarge> Volvo V60 4: click to enlarge> Volvo V60 5: click to enlargeThe steering isn't so reassuring. It's so quick that you often find yourself readjusting the wheel mid-corner, and that makes things feel a little twitchy. The weighting isn't as consistent as it could be, either, and you get little feedback.A wide range of turbocharged engines will be available, including four petrols and three diesels. A 304bhp 3.0 sits at the top of the petrol range, followed by a 240bhp 2.0. Two brand new 1.6-litre turbos are also available, giving either 150bhp or 180bhp.We've driven the 180bhp version, and although it's reasonably quick, it doesn't feel as fast as the numbers suggest. The car we drove came fitted with the new Powershift dual-clutch transmission, too, which didn't really suit the engine. The gearbox was too keen to kick down, and it meant that the slightest increase in throttle pressure made the engine wail noisily without much increase in acceleration.The turbodiesels will be of more interest to most buyers, and you'll choose between a 205bhp 2.4, a 163bhp 2.0, and later on, the 1.6 DRIVe. We've driven the 2.0-litre, and with strong mid-range muscle, it's got an impressive turn of pace. It's not as mighty at the top of the rev range, though, so you'll find yourself short-shifting to keep the engine on the boil.What'll it cost me?Prices haven't yet been announced, but expect the V60 to cost between £1000 and £1500 more than the equivalent S60 saloon.The V60 has identical equipment specifications to the S60, too, so all cars come with a good amount of standard kit. All have alloy wheels, cruise control, four powered windows and climate control, while stepping up to SE trim brings rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and a Bluetooth. SE Lux cars have powered leather seats.CO2 outputs and fuel consumption figures are also yet to be finalised for most of the engines, but we do know that the 2.0-litre diesel (which is expected to be the most popular version) will return 51.4mpg and emit carbon dioxide at a rate of 144g/km. That means running costs will be competitive, if not quite up there with the best.Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• Hyundai to unveil its ix20 at Paris show September 2, 2010
  Hyundai will launch its ix20 – a new mini-MPV – at the Paris motor show later this month. The ix20 will give the company a rival to the Citroen C3 Picasso and Nissan Note, as well as the new Toyota Verso-S, which will also be launched at the show. Designed and developed in Germany, the ix20 is the company’s second car – after the ix35 crossover – to adopt what it calls its ‘fluidic sculpture’ design. 'Striking' designAs yet, the company has issued only this initial sketch of the car, but it says that the ix20 is 'a striking departure from the boxy "minivan" image typically associated with the segment, adopting a more dynamic, sportier profile'. Hyundai also says the car will be both practical and fun to drive, and that it is expected to go on sale in November this year. Updated i10Also making its debut at the Paris motor show is an updated version of the i10 supermini. Featuring revised styling and specification, as well as a new 1.0-litre engine, which emits just 99g/km of CO2, it will go on sale in January next year. Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• Citroen unveils face-lifted C4 Picasso September 2, 2010
  Citroen has revealed the face-lifted versions of its C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso MPVs. The changes include the pair now sporting Citroen's revised double chevron logo, as well as LED running lights below the headlights. The front indicators now have white lenses, while the C4 Picasso's rear lights have a black border. Meanwhile, in the French market, Exclusive trim level gets door handles trimmed in chrome, as well as a new trim on the seats and door panels. Start-stop system boosts efficiencyAt the same time, Citroen is introducing an engine stop-start system to models with the 1.6 HDi engine and a manual gearbox. According to the company, this can result in a 15% cut in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in town. Translated into figures, that means average fuel economy jumps to 58.9mpg and emissions drop to 125g/km – compared with the 53.3mpg and 140g/km of the previous model. For the moment, the company is confirming precise details of the cars for the French market only. However, Citroen in the UK has said it will announce further details of the models destined for this country early next week. Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• Mazda Shinari concept car revealed September 2, 2010
  This is the Shinari, the latest in a line of Mazda concept cars in recent years. It demonstrates the future design direction the company will take under its new global studio head, Ikuo Maeda.Racing car 'intimacy' for the driverMazda's Shinari concept car is a four-door four-seat coupe just short of five metres long and two metres wide. The designers responsible for it say it's intended to create a car which 'has hot blood under a cool skin'. Its exterior surfaces are meant to convey strong motion, high quality and Japanese craftsmanship, while the interior was inspired by the intimacy of single-seat racing cars on the driver's side, and a more relaxed ambience around the passengers.'Nagare' design concept is tamedThe design represents a toning down of the controversial flow-pattern (nagare) style that Mazda had been pursuing under previous design chief Laurens van den Acker, who has moved to Renault. Nagare, said to reflect natural forces like waves and the wind, was felt in some quarters to be too ornate and fussy.More photos of the Mazda Shinari> Mazda Shinari 1: click to enlarge> Mazda Shinari 2: click to enlarge> Mazda Shinari 3: click to enlarge> Mazda Shinari 4: click to enlarge> Mazda Shinari 5: click to enlarge> Mazda Shinari 6: click to enlargeGlobal studio head Maeda says he is not abandoning nagare entirely, but wants a more down-to-earth version of it that can transfer to production models. Peter Birtwhistle, head of Mazda's European design studio, describes it as nagare in a more disciplined way. 'Nagare got the designers out of their shells. Now we have something here we can latch on to for production models,' he says. While the Shinari (the name comes from the Japanese for something that is ready to release its energy, such as a bow about to fire an arrow) will not be built, elements of it are likely to be seen on the next Mazda 6.Maeda became head of the Mazda design studios around a year ago. He has previously overseen the design of the RX-8 four-door coupe and the current Mazda 2 supermini. He is the son of Matasaburo Maedo, who designed the first Mazda RX-7 before going on to head the design studio.Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• Mazda shapes cars of the future September 2, 2010
  The typical family car of the 2020s will have a central control screen, such as on an Apple iPhone or iPad, but in 3-D, and there'll be super-intelligent applications (apps) to help you manage your daily life. For instance, there could be an app that will not just recommend a restaurant, but also tell you the name of the chef and suggest the pick of the menu that day.Record your drive and much moreA navigation app called Co-Pilot will give you a detailed bird's-eye view of every detail of the road you are driving on. If it's a spectacular or scenic route, G-Pro – a camera mounted in the front grille – will film your drive in HD for you to watch later or transmit to friends.There will also be paint finishes that you can change on a whim without any need for a spray gun, and solar panels to keep the battery topped up and power the air-conditioning system. For city cars, flexible interior materials will make it possible to change the ratio of passenger-to-luggage space without any levers or folding mechanisms.Developing the future nowThese are all things that Mazda is envisaging for cars that are only 10 years away. 'Not all of these things are going to happen, but by looking at every possibility something that is not viable might lead to something else,' says Peter Birtwhistle, the head of Mazda's European design studio.You have only to look at the developments in communications technology in the past decade to see that many could well become reality. Advanced product planners at Mazda believe they can foresee much of what our cars will be like in 10 years, based on their forecasts of changing lifestyles.People will be sharing more by 2020, they say. There will be new production methods and materials, layered shapes and colours and more natural structures. 'Good design reflects the mood and values of an era, and the role of the car as a status symbol is changing,' says Jo Stenuit, of Mazda's European design division. 'We will have to rethink the role of the car within the city. It is already happening in places like Copenhagen, which has twice been voted one of the most liveable cities in the world.'Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• Ferrari 458 Italia to be recalled September 1, 2010
  Ferrari has recalled every 458 Italia supercar, following reports that the car could spontaneously catch fire.According to Ferrari, an adhesive used in the wheelarch assemblies can overheat and allow the rear wheel housing heat shields to move around. In extreme cases, the glue can smoke and even catch fire. Five of the earliest examples of the car have caught fire, although none have been UK cars.As a result, Ferrari is inviting owners of more than 1200 458 Italias from around the world to have new wheel arch liners fitted to their cars.Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• Orders open for Nissan Leaf September 1, 2010
  Order books for the Nissan Leaf electric car have opened with the launch of a dedicated website to process initial deposits.At www.nissan.co.uk/leafreservation, customers can register their interest in the Leaf by paying a £257 refundable deposit.Those customers will then get a Leaf test-drive by the end of this year, at which point they will need to formally confirm their order. The Nissan Leaf will cost £23,990 when it goes on sale in February.Paul Willcox, managing director of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: 'The Leaf is generating huge interest across the world, with more than 25,000 customers already putting down deposits in the US and Japan. 'We know that the benefits of electric mobility have struck a chord with motorists in the UK and initial interest across retail and fleet channels could result in demand outstripping initial supply.'Despite the website being live for only a few hours, Nissan says the UK reaction is strong, with initial orders outstripping expectations. Nissan won't confirm exact numbers of Leafs that have been allocated for UK customers next year, but a spokesman said it would be 'in the low thousands'.What's in numberWhy has Nissan chosen the very specific price of £257 for the deposit? That is the amount it expects customers to spend a year charging their car.Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• Bentley Continental GT online reveal September 1, 2010
  Bentley will unveil its new Continental GT coupe to the world online next week. For seven days from 3pm on Tuesday, September 7, Bentley will host the event at www.continentalgt.com. On the site, the company says viewers will be able to enjoy a motor show-style unveiling, as well as choosing from a range of camera angles to take bespoke virtual tours of the car. Bentley's design director, Dirk van Braeckel, who designed the original Continental GT launched in 2003, said: 'The styling and design story in 2010 is just as dramatic, and we believe this Bentley GT will be as instantly recognisable as its predecessor. We look forward to the moment the cameras are switched on and sharing the new Continental GT with enthusiasts across the world.'The site is already live now, and although there are no explicit images or details of the new car, visitors to the site can see a short film, which shows fleeting glimpses of the car, as well as showing the designers at work on the new model. Get interactive with whatcar.com...
• New Toyota MPV to debut at Paris show September 1, 2010
  Toyota will unveil a new mini-MPV at the Paris motor show at the end of this month. Called the Verso-S, the new model is nearer the size of a Yaris than the current Verso, so will give Toyota a rival for the likes of the Citroen C3 Picasso and Nissan Note. According to the company, the new car is 'an object lesson in space management'. At less than four metres long, it's shorter than any of its rivals, but Toyota says it has a practical, flexible interior. Full details of the Verso-S will be announced at the show, and it is expected to go on sale in the UK early next year. More Toyotas at Paris showAlso on show at Paris for the first time will be upgrades for the iQ and Aygo. The iQ will have a new interior finish, aimed at boosting the perceived quality of the car, while the Aygo will benefit from a new multimedia system. Alongside them on the stand will be the FT-CH concept car that was first shown at the Detroit show in January this year. Smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient than the Prius, the hybrid five-door four-seater shows one way in which Toyota could expand the Prius family in the future. Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Spain

• Wine: Get independent August 30, 2010
  Last week's column focused on the infuriatingly futile search for something interesting on a supermarket wine shelf. And since I've found those poorly stocked shelves to be wanting, it is only fair to share where I do find good wines,...
• Spain: The other side of Mallorca August 29, 2010
  What does the name of Spain's largest Mediterranean island conjure up for you? Sun, sand and sangria? Bars crammed with tattooed, lobster-hued Brits, getting noisily sloshed? Probably - if you have never been there. In 1960, Majorca...
• Kazakh man severs penis August 28, 2010
  SPAIN: A Kazakh man cut off his penis at Madrid's Barajas airport to avoid being extradited home and was taken to hospital in a serious condition, Spanish media reported. The 52-year-old man had finished serving a five-year prison...
• Shakira in trouble for video antics August 21, 2010
  SPAIN: Officials in Barcelona are considering penalising Colombian singer Shakira for acts she committed while filming a video clip to promote her new record in the city. Press and internet images have shown Shakira sitting on...