Good

motoringThe magazine for members of GEM Motoring Assist Winter 2016

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WINTERS OF YESTERYEAR SNOW ALERT! WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT HOW BLASTS FROM THE PAST BROUGHT BRITAIN TO A STANDSTILL

A cushioned ride Scottish castles Road tests On hovercraft patrol with the How to be your own VW Touran, SsangYong Tivoli, Finnish Border Guard laird for the night Seat Ateca, Kia Niro One call is all it took to sort my Home Insurance

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Features 11 Driving test: will new tweaks ensure the test is fit for purpose? Paul Caddick has been gauging some professional opinions.

20 A cushioned ride: If you thought the hovercraft’s days were over, think again. Perhaps those happy holiday rides across the Channel are gone for good, but the hovercraft continues to be a very flexible and fast patrol and rescue vehicle. There have been few updates to the driving test since it was first introduced. 24 Winters of our discontent: remember the So, is the 2016 version fit for purpose? snow of 2010? Or 1981? Or 1963? Or 1947? 11 Paul Caddick investigates. Perhaps where you live it’s always going to be cold and snowy? Join us as we look back on winters past.

29 Highway hazards: it’s cold and snowy on this stretch of motorway. Take a look at the picture and see just how many hazards you can spot. Share it with friends, then turn the page to see what we came up with.

REGULARS 6 Your GEM: all the latest discounts and benefits that go with membership. In this edition, there’s a special offer for holiday cottages in early summer 2017. It’s great to know that hovercraft are still in regular use across the world. We 8 Letters: feedback on some of the items we spent a day on Baltic coastal patrol with published in the Autumn edition. 20 members of Finland’s Border Guard. 16 GEM Charity update: updates on some of the projects funded by the GEM Road Safety Charity... with your generous help.

45 On the Road: tests of the VW Touran, Kia Niro, Seat Alteca, SsangYong Tivoli, Volvo What are your memories of S90, Citroën C3 and VW Up! And is the winters past? Good Motoring Nissan Qashqai a good second-hand buy? editor James Luckhurst looks back 24 at some years of extreme weather. 64 Motoring Christmas gifts: what would you like Santa to slip into your stocking this year? Let us help with some inspired gift ideas at all different price ranges.

66 Member interview: James Pitkin, a vicar from Hampshire COVER It may seldom snow like this in most of the UK, but in this edition we look back at some of our worst winters... www.motoringassist.com 3 Chief Executive’s letter The best possible service for you in 2017

A warm welcome to our Winter edition. I’m believe passionately in the positive effects not quite sure what happened to the last three a road safety initiative like this can achieve, months, but it feels like little more than five and we hope to remain a key part of Project minutes since I was penning my very first EDWARD in future years. welcome as Chief Executive. The truth, of course, is that we have been busy with our Among our plans for 2017 is an initiative planning and development to ensure that to raise the safety profile of driving in the GEM Motoring Assist continues to offer you emergency services. We are pleased to and your family the very best have collaborated with the Police possible breakdown recovery Foundation and the Stationery Office service. We will continue to on a brand new, online version of represent all GEM members Roadcraft, the highly respected in our shared commitment to Most manual for advanced driving. We will reducing death and serious also be taking steps to ensure that as injury on the roads. “important many people as possible learn from of all, we our ‘Blue Light Aware’ video which We have a number of ideas has already done so much to boost which will help raise the profile ask you to understanding of how best to assist an of road safety during 2017, and remain loyal emergency driver. we do hope you will support us to GEM and in our work. But first of all, let So how do you support us? You can me congratulate the organisers our values... tell your friends about our work, you of Project EDWARD, in which can share our news stories, videos and we played a big part. Whilst a tweets, and you might let others take European Day Without A Road a look at your copy of Good Motoring Death was highly unlikely to when you have finished reading it. be achievable, it did represent a Perhaps most important of all, we target, giving meaning and direction to road ask you to remain loyal to GEM and to our safety work. The event gave us all something original values of driving with care, courtesy to aim for, and we could consolidate” and and concentration. combine our efforts much more effectively with something to work towards. We believe May I wish you and your family a wonderful that the day delivered fantastic results in Christmas, with a safe, prosperous and terms of revitalising collaboration and peaceful 2017. participation, as well as sharing simple road safety messages far and wide. We also Paula Williams

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GOOD MOTORING is the magazine Good Motoring is the property of for problems arising from advertisements for members of GEM Motoring Assist. GEM Motoring Assist. All rights reserved. with Good Motoring. In the first instance, Editor: James Luckhurst The views expressed in this magazine do complaints and correspondence relating to Road Test Editor: David Motton not necessarily reflect the views of GEM advertisements should be directed to the Art Director: Kate Wormleighton Motoring Assist. GEM does not accept any advertiser concerned. Should you not reach Proofreader: Roger Rushton responsibility for errors or omissions. Good a satisfactory conclusion within a reasonable ([email protected]) Motoring is distributed quarterly via Royal period of time, please contact us by post or Mail to members of GEM Motoring Assist email. Advertising enquiries: David Breary, worldwide. For questions and comments Write to: Good Motoring, GEM Motoring Creative Publishing Services relating to GEM membership, Good Motoring Assist, Station Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, [email protected] subscriptions and editorial, contact GEM RH18 5EN Motoring Assist. Telephone: 01342 825676 Good Motoring is published by Email: [email protected] GEM Motoring Assist. Complaints policy: We hope you never Please note: magazine enquiries only to this © GEM Motoring Assist 2016 experience any problems relating to the email address contents of Good Motoring. GEM Motoring Assist can accept no responsibility www.motoringassist.com

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MC 20795 297x210 Tablet.indd 1 03/11/2016 15:27 Your DETAILS OF THE DISCOUNTS AND GEM BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO YOU ROAD SAFETY ISSUES: YOUR OPINIONS MATTER!

As you know, GEM Motoring Assist has a long just send an email to [email protected] or and distinguished track record of supporting write to us at the usual address (which you can find road safety and campaigning to reduce death on page 3). and injury on the roads. We are also delighted at the levels of support we receive from you in this Take our survey... and you could win £100 regard. You take road safety seriously, you share We would also be grateful if you could take a our concerns. The things that matter to you also couple of minutes to complete a quick online matter to us, so from now on we want to give you survey. You can do it anonymously, or you can more opportunities to express your opinion on include your details and we’ll enter you into a draw particular road safety issues. to win a £100 prize. Tell us what you think Updating policies On our feedback pages (overleaf), we have Any answers and comments you provide will published letters on the topic of ‘smart’ motorways, be examined carefully and will be used to help and also a letter calling for far fewer ‘totters’ to be us formulate and update our policies, as well as able to keep their driving licences through pleas of giving us vital feedback as we plan our latest safety ‘exceptional hardship’ to the courts. You’re welcome campaigns. to put forward your own views on these matters; Thank you very much for your support. Please go to: www.motoringassist.com/survey The survey will close on Thursday 19 January 2017.

Involved in a road collision? Autumn Competition Winner Make sure you keep details of GEM’s highly-acclaimed Congratulations to Russell Howes of Spalding in Lincolnshire, Accident Management Service. It’s free and it can take away a whose name was drawn from our hat as winner of the Autumn great deal of stress. Experts are available day and night to give short break competition. We received nearly 700 entries, by advice at the scene, arrange recovery and liaise with insurers. the way. Mr Howes and companion will be heading off to the Download details from motoringassist.com/ams or give us a Hallmark Hotel Flitwick Manor soon, with entry to Bletchley call and we can send you a leaflet that explains what to do. Park also included, and we wish them a fantastic time.

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motoringassist.com/car-reviews Full reviews of all the cars featured in this edition can be found online, with all the other cars we have tested in recent years.

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GEM_RAF Ad 400x43mm_01.14_#1.indd 1 01/08/2014 11:36 your letters

Feedback [email protected]

Just how smart are smart motorways? I am surprised that GEM has not used its standing I was on the M1 recently when our carriageway and reputation to speak out against this most came to a grinding halt. All lanes contained irresponsible of actions. vehicles. We guessed that there had been a Christopher Lord collision further up the road. After 10 minutes, a police vehicle sped along the opposite There are clearly some urgent issues connected carriageway, to exit at the junction approximately with safety on these stretches of smart motorway. half a mile further along and then re-join the M1 to Yes, the emergency services are impeded on their attend to the incident. Because all the lanes were way to incidents. Motorists are placed at extreme blocked with vehicles, the police car’s progress to risk should they have the misfortune to experience the incident appeared slow. a breakdown, even if they do manage to limp to Next to follow was an ambulance; it passed our a refuge area. And bear in mind that in a study vehicle 20 minutes after we became stationary. of the M42 ‘smart motorway’ fewer than half of Its progress through the blockade of traffic was Making breakdowns managed to reach the refuge. We are even slower than that of the police vehicle. Many contact: particularly worried by the very significant risk vehicles had moved position to allow the police car We welcome faced by breakdown recovery operators, and by through and as a consequence were now nose to your letters and ‘Red X’ non-compliance rates of up to eight per bumper, so had little room to manoeuvre. we do our best cent. Rest assured, we will take steps to ensure our Another 20 minutes later a second ambulance to publish as concerns on this matter are heard. Ed. tried to reach the incident. It seemed a wider many of them vehicle than the first and its ability to get through as we can. Do was severely hampered. The crew member from please keep any What do we think of LPG? the ambulance had got out of his vehicle and was letter meant for Both emissions data and manufacturers’ inflated trying to direct the stationary traffic to enable his publication to a mpg claims are always hot topics in your colleague to let the ambulance pass. He appeared maximum length journal. Your magazine often covers the merits visibly stressed by the situation. of 200 words. and demerits of electric and hybrid versions of Smart motorways do not seem quite so smart if Please don’t send car brands. But as a driver of a car with an LPG you are unfortunate enough to be in a collision; any membership conversion I cannot remember the merits and indeed your chances of receiving speedy medical enquiries or pitfalls of LPG powered vehicles ever being help following a crash must be significantly change of discussed. I have the convenience of a local garage reduced compared with non-smart motorways. address notices with Autogas and I had my car, a petrol driven In summary, the SMART acronym is usually to the editor. Skoda Roomster, converted to LPG shortly after associated with Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. In our incident, yes the incident was Specific, the Measurable elements were numerous but all negative, reaching the collision was neither Achievable nor Realistic in a Timely manner. I therefore conclude that the smart motorway concept fails and that Highways England save their £1.5 billion until they can identify a better solution. Janet Beardmore

I read with some fascination the last sentence of your article on page 10 of the Autumn edition. All it lacked was some advice at the end...” Abandon your vehicle through the near side passenger door/cross your fingers and close your eyes/pray...” As the hard shoulder has long been regarded as extremely dangerous - when you pass a car No need to have gone to India, Mr Stokes stopped on one the occupants are almost always I read David Stokes’ article in the Autumn’ edition on Tuk Tuks. I keeping themselves safe on the other side of thought you might be interested to know that I’m an owner of a Tuk the barrier - it is surely highly irresponsible to Tuk a Piaggio Ape Classic 400 (previously I owned a 50cc version). bring it into use as a carriageway. This has been I use it for my cheese business in Brighton and Hove (I’m a mobile condemned by many road safety experts, was not cheesemonger). The 50cc was a pretty standard van but the Classic debated in Parliament, is costing money which 400 has been adapted so that it is a mobile shop. You could have saved would be better spent on repairing potholes, the yourselves the trouble of going to India and just come to Hove instead! NHS, schools, etc. and improves traffic flow for only Susie Inns limited distances. Mr Stokes asked me to ask you, “Do you run it on rennet?!” Ed.

8 www.motoringassist.com your letters

buying it. This was primarily in the hope that it not be when you’ve pushed the system to its limits, would cut down on emissions and contribute to a with no thought spared for anyone who might greener environment and, of course, the cost per Foggy have been in your way. And one more thing... if litre was also a factor. But one has to offset both road? you want to become safer, then take some time the cost of conversion, an annual LPG service and, I during your ban to look at GEM’s excellent line-up suspect, a lower mpg compared with petrol. of videos for volunteer drivers. It would be interesting to read the views of your Avoid hanging on to Pema Olsen (Miss) experts on this neglected field. the tail lights of the John Vincent-Townend vehicle in front, as it You have made this point with great eloquence can give a false sense and sincerity, Miss Olsen. I’m sure it will resonate You will not be surprised to learn that we have of security. When you wide and loud, because so many of us despair heard good and bad stories about LPG, particularly slow down, use your when a ‘totter’ simply has to turn up at court, plead that it’s fine for genuine factory dual fuel cars, brakes so that your exceptional hardship and ends up keeping his or but less good for conversions. We’ll chat to our brake lights warn her licence. Ed. technical people and see if there’s scope for some drivers behind you. further investigation. Ed. Mixed Messages? I wonder if I was the only reader to feel that the Bring back spare wheels in new cars Autumn issue contained some mixed messages, As we all know, the foam repair solution is useless following on from the praiseworthy Project for a tyre failure; it is only suitable for a temporary EDWARD to eliminate road deaths. Page 22, repair of a puncture in the tread of the tyre. If quoting The Man from U.N.C.L.E., suggests that you are unfortunate enough to have to use it, you “everyone has a favourite car chase scene.” I am will soon discover from the tyre repairer that the not convinced. Many will have one, yes – but foam has written off the tyre due to the almost others are so aware, from their daily experience, impossible job of cleaning out the foam. that to drive any car is to be in charge of a Friends recently visited us and on the way, the potentially deadly weapon, that any car chase nearside front tyre struck a rock, splitting the scene causes negative gut reactions. tyre wall. Their car had no spare wheel, but Then in the travel special (page 36), one they were not too concerned as they had suggested use of our cars is to find a seven course Mitsubishi’s Assistance Pack. menu, including 12 tasting wines, just a short run The unfortunate part was that the off the M4. While people’s capacity to process incident happened at about 11am, the alcohol varies, I very much doubt that all who are car was recovered by the breakdown attracted to it will be safe on the road next day. truck just after 2pm and was not ready While I understand that Good Motoring is a for collection from the nearest Mitsubishi lifestyle magazine, not a road safety journal, we dealer until 5.30pm. I vowed I would never cannot dissociate our lifestyle from the values we buy or even hire a car not equipped with a all try to live by. spare wheel. Jamie Wood Ivan Whitmore Motorcyclist’s manners (2) Our research shows that nine out of 10 new cars Responding to Ross Bayne with regards to are sold without full-size spare wheels these days. A irresponsible motorcyclists. I am afraid that too quarter of new cars come with ‘space-saver’ tyres, many motorcyclists show complete disregard while others have ‘run-flats’ . But almost half of all for road safety and seem to think the roads are cars have no spare wheel at all; instead you get a racetracks. tube of sealant and a pump. Ed. As a motorcyclist myself, I try to adhere to the riding principles of the Advanced Motorcyclist, Get tough on totters even though I haven’t undertaken any formal I don’t expect I’m alone in believing that drivers Let him serve instruction in advanced motorcycling. I have, who accumulate 12 penalty points should be his ban and however, studied the principles. One such banned, and that far fewer pleas of exceptional “ principle is to have the presence of mind to hardship should be accepted. I read in the summer reflect on adhere to the speed limits, which are there for about someone in Wiltshire (a Council employee), a reason. With sensible riding, motorcyclists can who avoided a totting-up ban by explaining to the risks he drastically reduce their chances of a collision. magistrates that he drove Syrian refugees to has posed Martin Riley appointments in Wiltshire towns. This is insane. Do we really want to allow someone this irresponsible to everyone Central to safety - for any road user - are the to be driving vulnerable people around, especially around principles of COAST: concentration, observation since his car was uninsured? No. Let him serve and anticipation (give you) space and time. Ed. his ban and reflect on the risks he has posed to him... everyone around him. The time to concern yourself with the consequences of a driving disqualification should www.motoringassist.com ” 9 87343 GOOD MOTORING 805X FLC 20_11_16_FLC 01/11/2016 08:42 Page 1

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Put to the test

The driving test has changed little since its introduction in 1935, though the long-term decline in road casualty rates since then suggests it has achieved its aims. Paul Caddick takes a closer look

By 1934, the mass production of ‘petroleum said: “Driving is an art in which those who are motor vehicles’ had really taken off, and their engaged should, in the interests of their own and popularity began to take hold, especially as access the public’s safety, take the greatest pains to make to £100 cars began to put ownership within reach themselves proficient.” of millions. But regulation of this blossoming The new driving test became compulsory in the market was in its infancy and anyone over 17 UK for all those who had begun driving or riding years of age could take to the roads in vehicles motorbikes on or after 1 April 1934. Around capable of up to 70 mph, whilst being governed 236,000 candidates applied in the first year, by rules and laws more accustomed to horse and achieving an initial pass rate of 63% (pass rate is carts. While the slower transport was responsible currently 47.5%). Examiners also had to handle for enough injuries and deaths on the roads, by Driving test the booking of tests, meeting the candidates 1934 the casualty rates were motoring out of myth buster and pre-arranging locations such as car parks or control. railway stations for the start and finish of tests Despite there being just 2.4 million vehicles The theory test pass (there were no test centres in those days). on the road, 1.5 million of which were cars, rate is 70%, the In a public information film produced to there were 7,343 deaths. If this kill rate had been practical test pass rate demystify the process, the narrator reassures the maintained to the present day, it would mean an is 47.5%. Only one in viewer: “If there’s one piece of advice I would annual death toll of more than 100,000. three practical tests offer learners, it is don’t be nervous. Driving tests In 2016 there are nearly 32 million cars on the these days includes an have one object, to make our roads safe. And the road, yet annual road deaths are at a low of 1,732. emergency stop. examination is not an inquisition. Study your More than 100 million ‘L’ tests have been carried Highway Code, think what you’re doing, drive out in this country since their introduction with care and consideration, then we shall have and, without doubt, they have made a major the pleasure of greeting you as a member of the contribution to the health and welfare of the fellowship of the road.” nation. The test remains an integral cog in the Leslie Hore-Belisha’s Act started a process of road safety machine. On introducing the test, road and driver regulation that continues to this the minister responsible, Leslie Hore-Belisha, day. Indeed, the Government is on >> 11 Driving tests

>> the verge of introducing some of the biggest reversing around a corner, will be replaced by changes to the practical driving test in its history, “real-life” procedures, such as pulling up on and comes 20 years after the last radical shake the right hand side of the road and parking, and up of driver testing in the UK; the introduction driving into a parking bay and back out. of the Theory Test. Most fatal collisions happen on rural roads, A recent public consultation followed a where the speed limit is generally 40 mph year-long trial of the proposed test changes by or faster. At present these types of roads are more than 4,500 learners and 850 ADIs in 32 rarely incorporated into the driving test because locations. The large majority of participants of the lack of signage and areas to carry out - learners, instructors and examiners - have the required manoeuvres. We understand the warmly welcomed the changes. changes will lead to greater access to alternative DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn stated road types, at different times and in various that while Britain’s roads were among the safest conditions. As the executive director of the in the world, there was scope to do more to keep Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport road users safe, particularly newly qualified Safety (PACTS), David Davies, said: “No one drivers. “Making sure the test better assesses a gets killed making a three-point turn in a cul- driver’s ability to drive safely and independently de-sac. New drivers need to be more skilled and is part of our strategy to help every driver experienced in driving at speeds on a variety of through a lifetime of save driving,” he said. roads.” The plans double the amount of ‘independent Driving test Providing a test system that can accurately driving’ in the test from 10 to 20 minutes. assess young drivers’ real driving ability, in a Candidates are asked to set and follow directions myth buster standardised, fair and effective manner across of a satnav, as opposed to following road signs the whole country, is a difficult task. Around 1.6 Female driving or examiner commands. What it means is that million driving tests take place every year. In the instructors have an candidates have to show they can use such past five years three per cent of reported road average pass rate for technology safely, responsibly and effectively. collisions had the contributory factor “learner or their demanding exam While driving, they need to demonstrate, driver inexperience” and teenage drivers (17-19) of 32.5% compared without any prompting, that they can follow make up only 1.5 per cent of full licence holders, with 29.8% of males. the instructions, control the vehicle, and make yet they are involved in 12 per cent of collisions decisions sensibly and safely. The examiner just where someone is killed or seriously hurt. watches and assesses. The new test, which is likely to be introduced It is designed to be a far more accurate in the first half of next year, is more than just measure of whether the candidate is capable assessing if a driver can use a satnav. For of dealing with multiple pressures, skills and perhaps the first time in 80 years, it is more responsibilities whilst driving unsupervised. realistically assessing a driver’s true ability to In order to accommodate this, some of the drive unsupervised, That has to be a good thing traditional low-risk test manoeuvres, including for everyone on the road. GM

Make ready for safer winter motoring motoringassist.com/winter-driving What should you do if you get stuck in snow? What is black ice? How do you know when your car is aquaplaning? Answers to these and many more questions can be found in our eBook of winter driving tips and advice, available free of charge to view and download. No one knows just what Mother Nature might throw at us in the coming months, so it pays to ensure both you and your vehicle are prepared for all eventualities. The eBook contains a number of handy checklists, so you can ensure your car is well prepared for journeys in potentially hazardous conditions. We’ve also suggested what we think are a few essential items you should include when you’re loading up for a long winter journey. When it comes to safer driving techniques, we have some great advice in the form of straightforward myth-busters. For example, when should you switch off your traction control? What gear is best for pulling away, going up or down slippery hills? Download your free eBook right now!

12 www.motoringassist.com 87343 GOOD MOTORING 798U TAT 20_11_16_TAT 20/10/2016 14:39 Page 1

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Win a luxury two-night break at fabulous Hartwell House Hotel a perfect venue to relax, rejuvenate and connect with centuries gone by...

If you’re a fan JUST A FEW minutes down the road from the Conqueror; of John Earl of Mortaigne who of the National Aylesbury lies a retreat from reality: a 17th- succeeded his brother Richard the Lion Heart as century stately home set among thick woods and King of England in 1199; and of Louis XVIII, the Trust and historic sweeping gardens. Now a plush hotel, Hartwell exiled King of France who held court there from houses, then a House offers elegant rooms that are sumptuous, 1809 to 1814. Louis was joined at Hartwell by two-night break cavernous lounges and lovely walking trails around his Queen, Marie-Josephine de Savoie, his niece the landscaped grounds. It’s all very Jane Austen: the Duchesse D’Angoulême, daughter of Louis at this beautiful squint and you’ll swear that’s Mr Darcy taking a XVI and Marie Antoinette, his brother the Comte property in dip with the swans in the lake. d’Artois, later Charles X, and Gustavus IV the Buckinghamshire So we invite you to enter our competition that exiled King of Sweden. could see you and a companion checking in here Hartwell House has been sympathetically is sure to appeal! for an unforgettable two-night break, with one restored, both internally and externally, with great dinner included. tact and sympathy by Historic House Hotels. Hartwell House has a remarkable history, Public rooms include the Great Hall, Morning stretching back almost a thousand years to the room, Drawing room, Library and three elegant reign of Edward the Confessor. It has been the dining rooms. The remarkable decorative plaster seat of William Peveral, the natural son of William work, marble fire-places and panelling are of

14 www.motoringassist.com About the prize The prize is for two people sharing a double or twin room at Hartwell House Hotel for two nights (Sun-Thu), with dinner (with one bottle of house wine) on one evening and breakfast on both days.

Enter now... Just answer this one question: When was Daniel Richardson Enter appointed head chef of now! Hartwell House? Please send an email to us at [email protected] with your answer. Please put Hartwell House Competition in the subject line of your email. Please also include your GEM membership number. The closing date is 27 January 2017. You can also enter by post (address on page 4). Don’t risk missing out! You MUST put Hartwell House Competition in the subject line of your email entry. If you choose another title, or leave it blank, then your entry will not be counted. Terms and Conditions This promotion is subject to our standard competition terms and conditions, which you will find on our website. Alternatively please write to us, enclosing SAE to the value of £1.95.

For more details about the hotel, please visit www.hartwell-house.com particular note. All guest rooms are individually suites contained within the house. decorated, some named after members of Dinner at Hartwell House is sure to be a The Great the court of Louis XVIII. The Great Hall is a special and memorable occasion. Head chef “Hall is a masterpiece of English baroque design, and with Daniel Richardson joined the team at Hartwell the exception of the floor which was originally House as chef tournant in 1994. He was quickly masterpiece flagged with Portland stone, remains virtually promoted and was appointed to head chef in of English unchanged since its completion in around 1740. 2000. While ensuring the smooth running of baroque The house has fine Georgian interiors, dating four kitchens at Hartwell, Daniel has consistently from around 1760. The Morning Room and raised the standards of food served in the design... the Library are decorated in the Rococo style, restaurant, for private parties and in the Spa with curvilinear marble chimney pieces and Café and Bar to levels of excellence recognised fluid plasterwork, and joinery ornamented through many accolades, including 2 AA Rosettes with garlands, masks, animals and volutes. The for Hartwell’s restaurant. bookcases in the Library are fitted with some So get your entry in! If you’re lucky enough to of the finest surviving gilt-brass wirework in the win, then we guarantee a wonderful stay where country. A unique staircase, decorated with carved you can relax, rejuvenate... and connect with ” Jacobean figures, leads to the thirty bedrooms and centuries of history. Good luck! 15 www.motoringassist.com Project EDWARD proves a great awareness-raiser for road safety

A huge vote of thanks to everyone who helped make Project EDWARD such a successful awareness-raiser for road safety across Europe. Int he picture above, GEM Road Safety Officer Neil Worth can be seen at an event in Brussels on Project EDWARD Day (21 September) with European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc on his right. Also are senior representatives of TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network. We’re delighted that Project EDWARD is already in the road safety diary for 2017, and we hope once again to play our part.

Project EDWARD facts and figures n 43 people lost their lives in road traffic collisions across Europe on 21 September, compared with 70 in 2015. n 19 countries reported zero fatalities. n #ProjectEDWRD reached nearly 20 million people on Twitter, and was one of the day’s top social media topics. n More than 105,000 people signed the Project EDWARD pledge on the TISPOL website.

Sir Anthony Grant It is with considerable sadness that we have to announce the recent death of Sir Anthony Grant who served as President of GEM from 1987 to 2004. Sir Anthony used his influence, as a long-standing Member of Parliament, to support the work carried out by GEM and to promote and encourage road safety legislation.

A huge ‘thank you’ The Charity trustees would like to extend their thanks to Mrs Linda Maddock, who recently made a most generous donation. Rest assured, Mrs Maddock, we will ensure this is put to very good use. Thank you.

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Pics: Katie Jones Member event

pedals and trusting the technology. After the double-cab driving came the Gator. With CVT transmission and only side mesh curtains, its light weight gave amazing grip but required a different driving technique, particularly downhill. It certainly assaulted the senses -- its 500cc engine sounding like the John Deere lawnmower from which it was derived, looking like a moon buggy and feeling like a quad bike. The afternoon saw us on an extended, deep muddy track requiring full concentration on positioning in the ruts, keeping the revs up to climb short uphill sections on downhill tracks, and occasionally having to make three-point turns for tight corners. So was it worth it? Definitely so. As one participant, Don Symes, observed: “As a steward at the Glastonbury Festival, I’m amazed at how many 4x4s get stuck; people don’t know how to drive them.” A day like this not only helps you to trust the technology but also understand it. Yet the day was not just about learning and fun. If you’d like to learn 4x4 techniques, have fun, raise money for a good cause and feel part of the GEM family, do apply. I can guarantee you won’t regret it. GM

The next GEM member driving day... Thursday 9 February, based at Baskerville Hall, Clyro HR3 5LE

We do hope you will be interested in joining our next GEM member driving day, which will take plave on Thursday 9 February. Once again we will be based at Baskerville Hall Hotel, around 45 minutes due west from Hereford. The plan this time is to offer: n Off-road driving introduction: we will be using the steep forest tracks and water hazards to be found just behind the Hotel. n Slow-speed towing challenge: the Hotel’s old tennis courts make an ideal flat area where you can get to grips with towing and reversing. n On-road driving: an opportunity to get out and about on the beautiful roads of the Wye Valley and Black Mountains, in the company of a qualified expert instructor.

We invite a minimum contribution of £95 per person, which covers the cost of the instructors, vehicles and refreshments. All surplus will be given to the GEM Road Safety Charity. Places are strictly limited, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you’re attending, please be sure to wrap up warm! Please email [email protected] if you would like to attend. You are welcome to request up to three places. We will aim to notify you by mid December.

JOIN US FOR A GREAT DAY ON THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY! 19 19 Technology abroad

A cushioned ride from start to Finnish Remember the days when you could glide across the Channel on the Princess Anne or the Princess Margaret (spilling your drink, most likely)? Well, if you thought hovercraft were a thing of the past, then think again, and join us on the wintry Baltic

IT’S A CHILLY winter morning in Vaasa, a city country’s sea borders. Rescue and surveillance half way up the west coast of Finland. Snow duties around the coast are the responsibility of covers the countryside - and a fair bit of the sea these border guards, who work closely with the as well. That’s because, as usual, the inlets and country’s police and customs, using co-operation bays are frozen during the winter months. We’re protocols that were first written into law in 1927. here, among other tasks, to take a look at how Today the border guards have joined forces Finland’s Border Guards make good use of some with police officers on snowmobiles. One of their splendid British know-how... technology that first tasks of the day is to speak to a snowmobile allows for effective patrolling of the driver whose machine is unregistered - and also therefore uninsured. Penalties are severe, just as for any other uninsured vehicle. The snowmobile Its ability police officers are part of the 470-strong to cross team who serve the half-a-million people of “ OstroBothnia in western Finland. all sorts Back on board, we gaze out across the myriad of terrain of islands large and small, quickly appreciating the value of the hovercraft in covering large means it’s distances quickly. Its ability to cross all sorts of different terrain means it’s also frequently in use also in use for medical emergencies. Pilot Mika Nordlund for medical told us snow, ice and also mud were great for the hovercraft, because of emergencies the smooth, flat surfaces on offer, with little friction or resistance. 34 20 www.motoringassist.com” Technology abroad

Across the bay: the “We had a situation recently where we With room on board for 10, the Finnish hovercraft makes light work of the deep snow could assist with a medical evacuation on an hovercraft is a far cry from those once-popular around Vaasa. On the outlying island,” he said. “A resident of the Cross-Channel giants that plied between Kent look out for Border island suffered a heart attack. We were there and northern France until October 2000. Noise crime issues, the crew very quickly, with a doctor on board, so that was a problem, as was the cost of operation and work closely with police life support could begin as early as possible and the very short time available for the on-board officers and provide we could then transport the gentleman to the teams to sell enough duty-free alcohol and emergency rescue and medical intervention, too. mainland and straight into an ambulance. There’s tobacco to offset operating costs. On smooth a good medical kit on board that means we’re days the crossing between Calais and Dover useful in all kinds of emergency. could be as little as 25 minutes. A bit of wind “Every member of our team enjoys driving could lengthen the journey time, and any serious the hovercraft, especially on calm days like this. weather would result in cancellations, with It will operate with a wave height of up to one passengers diverted from the hoverport to the metre, but in extreme conditions I admit it can ferry terminal. quickly become uncomfortable and difficult If you want to experience hovercraft travel to manoeuvre. You will immediately feel the these days, the world’s only scheduled operator difference as we move from travelling on nice is Hovertravel, plying between Southsea and smooth ice to bumpy, open water.” the Isle of Wight (journey time 10 minutes). Apparently, the hovercraft’s inventor, Sir Meanwhile, the finnish authorities continue to Christopher Cockerell, carried out initial make excellent use of their versatile vehicle. experiments with a vacuum cleaner and empty Against a backdrop of a stunning Finnish winter tins of cat food and coffee. Basically, when you day (and beneath the low glow of a triple sun place a small tin inside a large one, and blow air - see picture above), it’s a smooth and efficient through the smaller one, it will hover above the way to cover a lot of snowy coastal miles in a bottom surface of the larger one. short time. GM www.motoringassist.com 21 Road safety

DRINK-DRIVING: TRUTH AND MYTH

Refresh your understanding of alcohol and its effects on the body, courtesy of some useful information from Sandra Macdonald-Ames

Breath tests of drinking, weight and height, metabolism and According to Government figures there were whether you have eaten recently. But the only in excess of 684,000 breath tests conducted in safe answer will always be: if you’re driving, England and Wales in 2013 (the latest statistics). then don’t have any alcohol. 72,000 of these were positive tests, or the individual refused to provide a sample. How long do units stay in my body? Alcohol reaches our brains within 5 minutes, Drink-drive law and gets to the liver within 30 minutes. It goes Legislation was introduced in 1872, with the around our body through our bloodstream. Licensing Act which brought in the offence of The liver has the hard work of processing and being drunk in charge. It was not until 1967 that removing the alcohol. It takes approximately one new laws were brought in specifying a legal limit hour per unit to be expelled from the system. by measuring blood alcohol levels. These same limits remain unchanged in Are there any calories in alcohol? England and Wales. The Transport Minister at We are probably all guilty of over-indulging the time was Barbara Castle who famously could during the festive season and there are almost not drive. the same number of calories in alcohol as there are in single cream. If you’re female, two large Legal limits glasses of wine would not only put you twice In England and Wales the limit is up to 35 over the limit but provides about 20% of your micrograms (µg) of alcohol in 100ml or breath. recommended daily intake (around 370 kcal). If In Scotland the limit changed in December you’re male and drink five pints of lager a week, 2014 and is now 22µg. This is equivalent to a this is the equivalent of 221 doughnuts in a year. blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.8 in England and Wales and 0.5 in Scotland. GEM believes What are the drink-drive penalties? the Government should lower the limit to bring The penalty is a minimum 12-month ban, a fine England and Wales in line with Scotland and of up to £2,500, and even a prison sentence (soon) Northern Ireland. Disturbingly, an average of up to six months. Never refuse to provide a of 240 people are killed through drink-driving specimen as this carries the same penalty. GEM each year, a figure that has remained unchanged supports the use of roadside evidential breath since 2010. This adds weight to the argument for test machines, widely used in other countries, as lowering the limit. they provide fast, accuate results and offer huge time savings, as a drink-drive offence will be The European picture complete on the spot. How do we compare to other European countries? England and Wales have the highest Can I expel alcohol more quickly? drink drive limits in Europe alongside Malta. No. There is a belief that if we eat it will in some The limits for other European countries are way absorb the alcohol. But alcohol is absorbed lower, varying from zero tolerance in the Czech into our bloodstream so what actually happens is Republic and Hungary, to 0.2 BAC in Cyprus our metabolism slows down. We might feel less and Poland, and 0.5 BAC in France, Greece, drunk but it could take longer to remove the units Germany and Ireland. from our body. The only solution is time. How is alcohol measured? So what is the answer? The law measures in micrograms but the drinks If you know you may have a drink then don’t industry measures in units. You can find how use the car. Make a plan before going out that many units a drink contains by looking on the will ensure you get home safely. Nominate a back of the bottle. dedicated driver and take turns, pre-book a reliable taxi, use public transport or perhaps How many units can I safely have? arrange a room at a local hotel. Having a drink That depends on many factors and varies from and then driving is simply not worth the risks. person to person, influenced by gender, age, Keep safe, drink wisely and have a great health and current medication, fatigue, regularity Christmas and New Year!

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RW 20794 297x210 Air Compressor.indd 1 03/11/2016 13:44 Winter memories

Remember when winter always seemed like this? Winters gone by were always colder and snowier, weren’t they? Streets a foot deep in snow, schools closed, festive fairgrounds and skaters on the village ponds. Good Motoring editor James Luckhurst presents his own recollections, and explores some of the more memorable winters of recent years

24 www.motoringassist.com Winter memories

Who remembers the long, hard winter of 1981? I had not long turned 17 and was itching to take my driving test. But in those days the waiting list was many months long, and I faced the prospect of waiting until late March before presenting myself at the test centre. So I put my name down for a short-notice test, and waited eagerly for the opportunity to take advantage of a cancellation. Twice, just before Christmas, I was summoned. Twice they stood me down because of snowy weather. Third time lucky, one morning in January 1982... it was still very cold, but my driving instructor had worked through cadence braking with me in a final lesson before the test. I’m grateful he did, as I used it in my emergency stop, which saw the yellow Mini we were using start to skid on a (thankfully) quiet High Wycombe street. Bang went the examiner’s clipboard on the dash. Brake, slide, pump-pump-pump, slow down, pump-pump- pump, stop safely on my side of the road. Pass test and start worrying about A-levels instead. That winter I just seem to remember day after day of BBC Snow has become a rare sight in the south of England. This is a street weather forecasts with double-snowflake symbols, low >> in Ascot, five years ago.

25 www.motoringassist.com Winter memories

temperatures and snow on the ground for conditions even more difficult, especially the United Kingdom, and saw the coldest weeks (apart from a mild New Year). as cold spells continued right through to weather for two centuries. In fact, only two That’s just an individual recollection March, when a final storm of heavy snow winters in the UK have ever been colder. from one year in a region where this sort ensured this winter would stay long in the At its peak, a 36-hour blizzard caused of weather was exceptional. Let’s now memory (as indeed it has). heavy drifting snow in just about all parts gaze further and wider in an attempt to of the country. remember which recent winters have left 1952 their mark. The great London smog of December 1952 1978 took place due to a combination of high This was the ‘winter of discontent’, and 1947 levels of pollution and a period of high will be remembered for political reasons. This winter saw harsh weather across pressure. It’s believed up to 12,000 people But it was also the coldest winter since much of northern Europe, although it lost their lives, purely because of smog. 1962-63. Of particular note was the took a while to get going. Beginning on powerful blizzard which hit 21 January, the UK saw one cold snap 1962/63 the south on New Year’s Eve, after another, leading to vast snow drifts. Known as the ‘Big Freeze’ , this winter causing widespread chaos. The lack of fuel following the war made remains one of the worst on record in

The lack “of fuel following the war made conditions even more difficult.

26 ” www.motoringassist.com Winter memories

1990 Why 1990, you might ask? Well, my research for notable weather episodes brought to mind a day of devastating wind at the start of that year. It was the Burns Day Storm of 25 January and I was working at the time as an airborne traffic reporter for a London radio station. Taking off every morning at 7am, we climbed only to 1,000ft above sea level and

Pics: Richard Sowersby, Edward G. Stephenson Edward Sowersby, Pics: Richard swept around the skies of the capital with an absolutely fantastic view of the queues, the tailbacks, the crashes... everything. Burns Day was different. We had been warned since the start of the week that there was some big weather coming, and the I’M DREAMING... chances were that we would not be flying According to the Met Office, any that morning. I had also tried to deter two single snow flake falling at any ‘guests’ from joining us. The radio station time during the 24 hour period of liked to invite its advertising clients up for a Christmas Day, anywhere in the ride, which meant Rick and I up front had to British Isles, constitutes a white be on best behaviour. Christmas. In vain I pointed to the weather forecast and the futility of making the early morning The Met Office holds observation journey out to Hampshire on that day. But stations at specific locations across they were not to be put off, and so it was the UK such as Buckingham Palace, that we were joined by two enthusiastic Edinburgh Castle, Coronation Street ‘ride-alongs’ for coffee in the briefing room in Manchester, Cardiff’s Millennium at 6.30am, as the wind hammered on the Stadium and Aldergrove airport in windows outside. Belfast. The runway arrangement at Blackbushe meant we were able to take off directly The last widespread white into the wind. Whether we should have christmas in the UK was in 2010. done is another matter. Safety and comfort It was extremely unusual, as not considerations mean we certainly shouldn’t only was there snow on the ground have. The lack of any working transmitters at 83% of stations - the highest across London meant we needn’t have amount ever recorded - but snow bothered as no one would hear what I had or sleet also fell at 19% of stations. to say. But up we went, into an environment that was - shall we say politely - hostile >> 27 www.motoringassist.com Winter memories

Snow fell in London on 25 September 1885, making it the earliest fall of snow on the capital.

On 2 June 1975 snow led to several cricket matches across the country being abandoned.

In 1947, between 21 January and 17 March snow fell every day somewhere in the country.

The most disastrous avalanche in the United Kingdom occurred in Lewes, East Sussex on 27 December 1836. Eight people were killed and several houses were destroyed.

>> and uncomfortable. had two potential In late January 1995 up to Bear in mind that this storm was to prove even accommodation 40cm (15 inches) of snow fell more deadly than the 1987 event, because it reached options in Marlow. on Leeds in just three hours. its maximum strength during the day. A total of 47 From my stationary people lost their lives, including children in schools car, as snow continued There was widespread, significant snowfall across the when the roof collapsed. Half a million homes were to fall, I tried my country in December 2010, left without electricity. The actor Gordon Kaye freelance photographer meaning a white Christmas (famous at the time for his role in the TV comedy colleague, who said I for most of us. January saw a series ‘Allo, Allo’) sustained a serious head injury could have a bed but transition to milder weather. when a plank for an advertising board was blown no food. Option two through his car windscreen in south-west London. was one of the Good There was an ambulance strike at the time, but Motoring road test crews abandoned their action for the duration of the writers, Andy Turner, who offered bed, as much hot storm and answered emergency calls, only to return casserole as I wanted, and a tot of single malt later. to the strike once the wind died down. My only reservation at accepting his hospitality There have been all sorts of other extreme winter was that he lived high up on a hill above town. But weather events which I’m sure we remember well. my worries were groundless. The Peugeot proved For example, I was stuck in Marlow (10 miles magnificent, gliding effortlessly up past lines of from my then home) one late afternoon just before cars, their wheels left spinning and their owners Christmas in 2009. My front-wheel drive Peugeot cursing. As we went over the brow of a hill and 406 estate was fantastic on low-grip surfaces, reached Andy’s road, I sensed the car beginning to but could do very little because so many cars had slip a little. Brake, slide, pump-pump-pump, slow simply ground to a halt throughout the town (and down, pump-pump-pump, stop safely on my side across a great deal of the country). I knew it would of the road. As I parked, the snow continued to fall be risky to try to make it home, simply because and I just caught the smell of cooking. This had so few roads were now passable. Thankfully I definitely been the right choice, I decided. GM 28 Safety focus

Motorway driving in winter conditions

Take a look at this picture of a winter motorway journey I spotted recently. What hazards can you spot? Of the vehicles you see, which face the highest risks? Circle the risks, or make some notes, then turn the page and see what I spotted. By the way, there are no prizes... it’s just an opportunity to have a seasonal think about safety. Neil Worth (GEM Road Safety Officer)

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Motorway driving in winter conditions

Here’s what I found. I hope you picked up some useful safety points from this. Why not share it with If you don’t fancy family members and friends and Something wrong with being out in weather challenge them to spot as many the lights on this vehicle. like this, check In weather like this you forecasts and traffic hazards as they can! Neil need to see and be seen, websites before you so check your lights go, and ask yourself regularly... and ensure if your journey is you keep them clean for really necessary. maximum effectiveness.

Snowfall can build up quickly on windscreens. See and be seen. But it’s a legal Visibility in this requirement (and scene is going vital for safety) that to be greatly you keep all car reduced, so it’s windows clear. vital that your vehicle is easy to spot. Driving too close behind the gritter truck is dangerous, and likely to damage your vehicle’s paintwork. So stay back!

The 4x4 is far too close to the car in front. Braking distances can increase by up to 10 times in conditions like this.

Road surface temperature can be up to four degrees below air temperature. Salt takes time to work so expect this road to be very slippery. www.motoringassist.com 31 11 inspiring pages of holidayadventure and

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, western Colorado.

32 www.motoringassist.com Adventure abroad

Rocky Mountain High

Guy de la Bédoyère reports on a driving holiday full of history, spectacle and awe-inspiring scenery

My wife Rosemary and I flew into Denver, a charged for them on return. What you might want fantastic city to enter the USA by because it’s the to do is take out a policy with a UK company that ‘gateway to the Rockies’ and well placed to the covers third party liability for car rental abroad. northwest of the city and linked by major roads. US car rental usually comes with only the bare There’s none of the inner-city congestion that minimum as standard. Of course you can buy a makes the airports at Boston, New York, and the top up but it’s far cheaper to purchase an annual west coast cities so tiresome to get away from and policy in the UK before you leave and it’ll cover back to. you for excess liability anywhere else too for One of the great advantages of hiring a car in damage to the car, for example in Europe and the USA is the LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) that Australia, should you go anywhere else. generally comes as standard. It means that the Whatever anyone else says, a small car is renter won’t be held liable for any damage to the perfectly adequate for two adults even in the car. So there’s no reason to stagger, jet-lagged, American West. It was our thirty-fourth trip so round the car in a parking lot looking for dents we should know. We’ve driven thousands and and scratches to notify in order to prevent being thousands of miles mainly in Colorado, Utah, >>

33 www.motoringassist.com Adventure abroad

Heading across southwestern Colorado. Below, a brief stop in Monument Valley on the Arizona- Utah border.

>> Mexico, and Arizona, and also ventured further north to the Dakotas, as well as driving across the continent three times. Why? Because it is utterly and overwhelmingly magnificent, as well as being accessible. Almost everywhere can be reached by road. Unlike Australia, the road system is highly developed and gas and food is always available. Our first night was in Centennial, on the south side of Denver. It makes for an easy escape and we were off the next day driving west across Colorado’s phenomenally beautiful landscape and heading for the city of Gunnison. That put us close to the National Park of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, an unbelievably deep ravine viewed from trails and parking lots around the rim. A crucial tip is the National Parks Service $80 annual pass. This can pay for itself within three to four visits to National Parks as it covers the car and all occupants. And the real boon is that it’s valid until the end of the cancelled or changed online or on the 1-800 number. We often do month you bought it in a year hence. A pass bought on 1 August adapt the trips but it’s good to know we have somewhere lined 2016 is valid to 31 August 2017. up. American cities have a habit of being home to random one-off I was mildly agitated by the discovery that the car didn’t have events like a Grateful Dead reunion concert, or a cheerleaders’ a spare wheel, just a miserable little repair and inflation kit. I convention. Don’t laugh – we’ve hit town on both these occasions usually carry at least one fullsize spare wheel and sometimes a and we were so delighted we’d booked long before because there trolley jack, so I really don’t like being hundreds of miles from a wasn’t a bed left in either place when these things happened. major city in a rental car without that. My sister lives in Our current trip took us down into Arizona via the Atlanta, Georgia, so I use her address to get annual beautiful and intimate Canyon de Chelly, deep American Automobile Association membership. in Navajo territory, before heading up for the With this in my wallet I felt I could live without classic drive of a lifetime. That starts at the city of the spare wheel though the unreliable mobile Kayenta in northeast Arizona where highway 163 phone signal in remote locations did make me heads northeast into Utah through the magnificent wonder. Monument Valley. It’s in places like this that one For overnighting we tend to use the Choice Hotels really senses the vastness of the United States and system (choicehotels.com). This allows reservations it’s impossible not to wonder what it was like to on a credit card and which are not usually charged come across these places in the 1800s. For the Native until after 4pm on the day of arrival or the day before, Americans of course the experience stretches back over unless you cancel before the deadline. They can be millennia and they jealously guard these places. The Valley

34 www.motoringassist.com is under Navajo ownership and it’s to the tribe that you pay the entrance fee at the visitors’ centre. We were headed on up through eastern Utah past Canyonlands and Arches National Parks at Moab. For some reason Moab seems to be the epicenter of French tourism in the American West. It’s amazing to see so many European tourists there are in this area, all taking advantage of the whitewater rafting and other leisure activities. It makes for quite a crowded region and we don’t normally spend long here. Our main destination in Utah was the city of Vernal some way to the north but the drive there turned out to be very eventful. As we headed north from Price in the middle of Utah we had to drive up over the mountains right into a torrential downpour and storm. With water tumbling down the hillside on either side of highway 191 we started to get worried and even more so when we saw a mini- landslide had washed rocks and mud onto the highway. Other cars braved it so we tried too and got through. Canyonlands National Park, near Vernal is on the edge of Dinosaur National Monument which Moad, Utah. Below, geological formations in Dinosaur National sprawls across the state line into Colorado. There are two sections. Monument, eastern Colorado. Just east of Vernal near a little place called Jensen is the best known part. This is the location of Dinosaur Quarry, an extraordinary relic of the Jurassic period, 130 million years ago. A bend in a primeval seen more than four or five other cars. It’s worth every mile for the river became the place where the carcasses of dinosaurs that had views, the solitude and the total peace. died and fallen into the river were washed up. Disarticulated and It’s oddly little different not far south at Grand Junction. A scattered in the mud, they became fossilized. Millions of years later large sprawling town, Grand Junction sits right on I-70. One of the stratum was deeply buried but then became tipped up almost the amusing aspects to the city is the enthusiasm for installing to the vertical. Erosion exposed it and around a century ago it was roundabouts, replacing the old take-it-in-turns junctions American discovered. The place yielded some of the most famous Jurassic cities used to rely on. Americans, unfortunately, don’t understand dinosaurs ever found and many of the bones have been left in situ. roundabout protocol. Some of them just drive straight on to the You can view them in the huge, recently renovated and rebuilt roundabout, ignoring traffic coming round them. Despite their cover building operated by the National Parks Service. gigantic trucks, 4x4s, and other unnecessarily big vehicles, Very, very few people venture into the bigger eastern half of the American roundabouts are often poky. park in Colorado. Accessed from near the little But what about the solitude and peace? town of Dinosaur, this is one of the That is to be found a few miles west at Fruita, most extraordinary geological where the entrance to the Colorado National sights in North America. Monument is. This is a colossal arena, The winding Harpers Corner weathered out of the north-facing hills. Road leads 31 miles from the From Grand Junction it’s an easy park entrance right through drive through the Rockies on I-70 to a trail along a spur that back to Denver. This has to be one overlooks the Green and Yampa of the world’s greatest motorways. It rivers hundreds of feet below where winds and bends through ravines, barrels they have scythed their way through through mountains in tunnels, and takes the rock to create a view out of a you up higher and higher until the great fantasy world movie. Hardly anyone drop down to Denver. As for the rental else ever drives in here. We’ve car, it didn’t miss a beat. visited several times and never Getting there British Airways (ba.com) flies daily to Denver direct from London Heathrow but this is usually the most expensive option and currently you get their oldest 747s on the route. Denver Airport has all the major car rental companies and they’re all located near the airport with frequent free shuttles from the terminal. But beware – it does cost more than, say, Los Angeles, to rent a car. Your UK driving licence is acceptable and they don’t seem to require the UK government document confirming the current status of your licence with respect to penalty points and endorsements. Don’t forget you’ll need a US visa waiver called an ESTA, obtainable online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Plan your visit by exploring the National Parks on nps.org. on choicehotels.com or bestwestern.com and be sure to create an account. The points earned can pay for free future visits. GM 35 www.motoringassist.com Castle breaks

You can be king of your own castle From five-star luxury hotels to self-catering destinations, many of the historic former homes of Scotland’s lairds are now open for overnight visitors, retaining all their charm and character from bygone days when they were formidable strongholds. Alan Jones explores the unique experience

36 www.motoringassist.com Winter wonderlands

Main pic: a wintry day at the Castle of Drum. Inset, top: inside the Castle of Park, and a summer shot. Above: Granville Cottage and Balmoral Castle.

In Dumfries and Galloway you will be able to realise your Heading north, Scotland has an embarrassment of castles and yearnings to be a local lord by hiring the Castle of Park, which castellated stately homes, especially in Aberdeenshire. Top of the looms ominously over surrounding farmland. The exterior is list for castle hunters has to be a visit to Balmoral Castle, a royal stark, with pebbledashed walls and high small windows. Through residence since 1852 when it was bought privately by Prince the massive oak door the Park coat of arms greets you. The Albert. Today Balmoral is a huge estate in Royal Deeside where interior is a surprise, as the life of a laird in a tower keep was not the Queen spends her summer holiday. as spartan as you might think. Toast Her Majesty’s health at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery A large 30-foot-long hall opens off a stone spiral staircase. (013397 42700). The ‘Royal’ tour (£35pp) includes coffee and Old frayed paintings of the Hays family, founders of the castle, shortbread, as well as a special tasting of rare whisky specimens. hang from the walls, giving a menacing presence. The 18th Then take a walk around Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate. century brought larger windows to the hall, as well as more light Unless you receive an invitation from her Majesty, you can’t and warmth. Today a stylish modern galley kitchen is a part of the stay at Balmoral. But head for Ballater, just a 15-minute drive Great Hall, from which the laird’s private stair leads to bedrooms, away. Here you’ll find Granville, an elegant stone property each with its own privy. Also above is a cosy sitting room, with sleeping eight guests in four bedrooms. bookcase and fireplace. On wild wet nights (which happen GO FOR IT: A seven-night stay costs from £480 with Sykes now and again in Scotland) you can close the wooden window Cottages (01244 356695, sykescottages.co.uk) shutters, build up a fire, contemplate a wee dram and feel safe. The wide main stair, in its own tower, has a little room at the top LESS THAN an hour south of Edinburgh is Aikwood Tower known as the ‘Cap House’, from which you can glimpse the sea. in Selkirk. Enter through the original oak front door and gaze GO FOR IT: Castle of Park (01628 825925, landmarktrust. at all the endearing quirks of architecture and craftsmanship. org.uk) sleeps seven and costs £408 for three nights in late The Great Hall, with its roaring fire and luxurious furnishings, January. A week costs £588. provides >> 37 www.motoringassist.com Castle breaks

Cosy and companionable mealtimes at Aikwood Tower, close to the River

>> a comfortable and informal atmosphere in which to A week’s exclusive rental costs an eye-watering £40,000. relax. Your mealtime conversations will swirl around the If your budget is more modest, there are more vaulted ceiling of the dining room and kitchen. reasonably-priced cottages located on the estate. Aikwood Tower is a perfect venue for country (01738 451610, cottages-and-castles.co.uk). sports. The neighbouring Bowhill Estate offers partridge and pheasant shooting, while the River JUST A short drive east from Edinburgh is Fenton Tweed with its salmon fishing is close by. Loch Tower, a magnificent16th-century fortified building fishing for trout can be arranged on the Bowhill located near the coastal town of North Berwick. The Estate. castle’s location was originally chosen in the 11th century GO FOR IT: Aikwood Tower, sleeping 10, is because it offered panoramic views in all directions. It has available for self-catering or on a fully-catered had many distinguished visitors, among them King James VI basis. Hire it from £2250 a week or £500 a of Scotland (son of Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley) night. Catering arrangements include breakfast who took refuge there as he fled from the rebel army in Fife from £12pp, lunch from £15pp and dinner from across the Firth of Forth. £55pp. Contact George Goldsmith Exclusive The Tower has now been beautifully restored, and was Properties (0131 476 6500, georgegoldsmith.com). opened in 2002 to provide five-star accommodation for up to 12 guests. Set amongst rolling countryside and surrounded THE ONLY inhabitable castle on the shores of Loch by many of the world’s most famous golf courses (Muirfield, Ness is available for hire. The beautiful and historic Gullane and North Berwick) Fenton Tower is a great base for a Aldourie Castle, just six miles south-west of Inverness, family get-together or a golfing break in warmer months. is a five-star property occupying a prime position on GO FOR IT: Bed and breakfast costs £180 per person per night; the famous loch’s southern shoreline. You can use dinner is an additional £90 per person. Contact 01620 890089 or every room inside and wander around the 500 acre visit fentontower.com Scottish Highlands estate at your leisure. Each luxurious bedroom is entirely individual. One of the thrills, if you hire Aldourie for a private celebration, is deciding who’s going to sleep where. Each space has been refurbished to maintain certain historic and attractive features. Some are decidely classic in layout, others more eccentric. All are wonderfully comfortable, featuring distinctive furnishings, ornaments and traditional style; ideal for private family holidays or house parties with friends. Every bathroom is unique as well, from the large Print Blair Castle, Fenton Bathroom with its free standing bath, to the penthouse Wildlife and Tower (right), and tea at quirky shower hidden in one of the turrets. Meldrum House Hotel. GO FOR IT: Aldourie Castle sleeps 20 people in 15 bedrooms.

38 www.motoringassist.com Winter wonderlands

C/W from here: Meldrum House; Blair Castle Woodlands Lodge; Barcaldine Castle; Aldourie Castle.

IF YOU’RE SERIOUS about being king of your own castle, then trails and a great line-up of activities and adventures, most led by 15th century Liberton Tower could be just the right venue for you. rangers. Close to Edinburgh, it boasts hugely thick walls, and a laird’s lug, GO FOR IT: A four-night break in a three-bedroom lodge designed for the owner to listen in on other conversations. There’s costs from £375. Call 01796 481487 or visit blair-castle.co.uk also a fantastic view from the parapet out to Edinburgh.... and, we’re told, a resident ghost. No need to arrive over a drawbridge ONE OF THE MOST breath-taking bed and breakfast as in days gone by, just scamper up an external staircase into the establishments you’re ever likely to find is Barcaldine Castle, Great Hall, with its heavy oak furniture, wall hangings and a vast, more than 400 years old and located on the shores of Loch Creran. roaring fire. From there, a stone staircase links the four floors from It was built in 1609 by “Black” Duncan Campbell, and offers the kitchen to the master bedroom (with a great big four-poster authentic Scots hospitality (including whisky in your breakfast bed). porridge if you wish it, and antlers on the walls). Choose from GO FOR IT: A three-night stay costs from £517, and includes five different rooms offering either traditional tartan or lower-key a welcome food and wine hamper, as well as firewood. Call 0117 cream. 204 7810 or visit sawdays.co.uk If you can get it, ask for Caithness, the room at the very top of the castle, with its wonderful collection of antique French Beautiful Perthshire is the setting for magnificent, white furniture and amazing views up towards Glencoe. Otherwise, the Blair Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Atholl for many centuries Barcaldine room boasts a roll-top bath and the Breadalbane has a Sadly you can’t stay in the castle itself, but you could camp in four-poster bed. the grounds or take advantage of one of the luxury woodland GO FOR IT: Double rooms start from £175 per night; lodges, named after the estate’s rivers. The village of Blair Atholl Caithness costs from £200. Call 01631 720598 or visit the website is close by. Each lodge has an outdoor terrace, fabulous views barcaldinecastle.co.uk of woodland and craggy hills, as well as 40 miles of waymarked A notable ‘castle’ with pedigree worth heading for is Meldrum House Hotel in Aberdeenshire, which has one of the most romantic facades in the UK. You should also keep your eyes skinned for sight of a falcon or roe deer as you drive up. The original tower house was built the 13th century and forms the nucleus of all the later changes in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries that leave the house as it stands today. The Meldrum family were powerful landowners within the north-east of Scotland, so I wonder if they would have liked to have seen their house as a luxury hotel. This Castle has a country club feel to it with a pleasant mix of modern and old décor with just a touch of tartan to remind you where you are. GO FOR IT: Prices start from £74 for a double room. Call 01651 872294 or visit meldrumhouse.com GM 39 www.motoringassist.com Don’t pass the port...

... stop and explore Dover, Rye, Sandwich, as well as the other pretty towns on the Kent and Sussex coast. Richard Sowersby says ‘Welcome to the historic Cinque Ports!’

HASTINGS boasts a new pier and an old, ruined castle (above), which can be reached via the West Hill Cliff Railway. A fishing boat sits on the pebbles at The Slade (left). Tall old clapperboard net sheds (right) were used by fishermen to dry and store their nets.

40 www.motoringassist.com UK travel

DOVER is a busy port, with ferries arriving and departing. High above the town is 11th century Dover Castle, Britain’s largest, providing views of the area and the sea from Henry II’s Great Tower.

RYE sits on a small hill VISITOR DETAILS overlooking the River If you fancy the idea of a few days exploring Rother and Romney Marsh. this pretty part of Kent and Sussex, take a You’ll get a great view from look at visitsoutheastengland.com where the castle (above, right), and there is an excellent you can plan a trip, browse accommodation variety of restaurants to options and check on the different be found in the town. attractions, opening times and prices. Our Mermaid Street (above) man with a camera, Richard Sowersby, was a is home to many ivy-clad guest of Tourism South East for his three-day buildings. The town gate trip, which took in Hastings, Winchelsea, Rye, (right) is well preserved. Hythe, Deal, Dover and Sandwich.

41 www.motoringassist.com UK travel

VISITOR DETAILS The George Hotel in Rye (01797 222114, thegeorgeinrye. com) is a beautiful boutique hotel dating from the 16th century. It bills itself as the best in town, offering 34 individually designed bedrooms and great food at its Grill Restaurant.

The Imperial Hotel in Hythe (01303 267441, hytheimperial. co.uk) has some amazing winter deals, with savings of up to 76% on twin rooms. So you can get B&B for two people from £50 a night instead of SANDWICH (with its toll gate, above) has a higher density of listed £209. But only 10 rooms each medieval buildings than any English town. The street plan has day qualify. Locally sourced changed little since the Domesday Book of 1086. The town’s Guildhall Museum holds an original copy of Magna Carta. rock oysters are on the menu at the Coast restaurant, as are lobster, cod and monkfish. The hotel also serves a delicious afternoon tea (£18.95pp).

The Salutation on Knightrider Street in Sandwich (doubles from £175, 01304 619919, the- salutation.com). This elegant manor house and gardens was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1911. Just to ensure everyone feels welcome, there’s a small bottle of whisky and a small bottle of sherry in each guest room. Knightrider Street WINCHELSEA’s pretty church (above) is dedicated to Thomas is apparently named after a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered in his own horse rider who patrolled the cathedral in 1170. The town has 34 medieval wine cellars which streets after dark. are open to visitors. The town crest on a sign is pictured right.

DEAL Castle (above) is a small fort built by Henry VIII to help fend off potential attacks from France and Spain in the 16th century. Deal Maritime and Local History Museum is located in the middle of the town, and really brings to life the local history of boat building, trade and smuggling.

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GM Dec 16 P44 45 AD and ON THE ROAD.indd 2 10/11/16 15:21:04 ON THE ROAD >> you ask... pages 46 to 63 ...our experts answer

In this edition, Road Test Editor David Motton and GEM Road Safety Officer Neil Worth consider speed awareness courses, eyesight issues, insurance notifications and changes in vehicle excise duty

I’m sure I’ve just been GEM has historically supported compulsory flashed by a mobile eyesight testing for all drivers. Are you still speed detection van campaigning for this important move? and I expect to get a Very much so. According to a driver eyesight ticket. Will I be able to For years now, car buyers have been survey from 2014, approximately five million of us choose to go on a speed deserting hatchbacks and saloons in drive with less than perfect eyesight, and as a result awareness course? favour of crossovers and SUVs. With there are nearly 3,000 casualties a year. You may be eligible to their high-up driving positions and attend a course operated We have recently written to the new Secretary chunky, 4x4-inspired styling, these by the National Driver of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, urging cars are as practical as a run-of-the- Offender Retraining him to consider the need to introduce a system mill family hatchback but with more Scheme. The police force where everybody taking a driving test should have personality. Their looks promise concerned will decide their eyes tested and that this process should be adventure, even if the reality is no whether to offer you a repeated when driving licences are renewed. We course or prosecute. This more exciting than the daily commute also urged him to encourage greater awareness depends on your speed, or school run. We’re reviewing a trio of driver eyesight by using motorway gantry sign whether you’ve previously of crossovers this month, including messages. Our President, Viscount Simon, has also attended a course and Seat’s striking new Ateca and raised the question in the House of Lords where he your driving record. SsangYong’s budget-conscious Tivoli Speed awareness courses challenged the Government to do more. XLV (pictured above). There’s also an have been designed to Although the Minister wouldn’t commit to using in-depth used car guide to the motor offer education and overhead signs in England to promote the message car which started the inexorable rise behaviour change to for drivers to get their eyes tested, he did say that of the crossover: the original Nissan offending drivers to they will be supporting the campaign through both Qashqai. improve road safety. social media and the more traditional media. David Motton

I’ve heard there are changes in the way vehicles are taxed. Does this mean some cars will become Work car ROAD TESTS cheaper to own and run, and others will be come crash... more expensive? 46 Seat Ateca A big shake-up of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Do I need to declare Volkswagen Up! will come into effect in April. The amount of VED a crash I had in a 50 payable when buying a new car will still be based work car to my own 52 Kia Niro on a car’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but insurance company? thereafter there will be a fixed annual rate of £140 Your insurance 54 SsangYong Tivoli (except cars with no CO2 emissions, for which company will need to there is no charge). Owners of cars costing more know about it in order Volvo S90/V90 than £40,000 will have to pay an annual £310 to assess your risk for 58 supplement for the first five years. your own premium. Citroën C3 Most new car buyers will pay more under the new It’s best to inform 60 system. For example, buy a Ford Fiesta 1.0 80PS them in writing; set Volkswagen Touran Zetec 3dr and you’ll pay nothing under the current out the circumstances 62 system, as emissions of 99g/km put it in Band A for and making it clear VED with no cost in the first year or at the standard that you are not rate. Buy the same car on or after 1 April and you’ll making a claim. pay £120 in the first year, and £140 in subsequent years. So, if you are thinking of buying a new car USED TEST: soon it could pay to buy before the changes come Nissan Qashqai into effect, as the new system only applies to cars 56 bought on or after 1 April. The winners under the new system will be used car buyers choosing a car with high emissions but a list price under £40,000, once cars registered from April 2017 appear on the second-hand market. That’s because the first owner pays more in the first year, but the cost then drops to the standard rate.

Email your motoring questions to [email protected] www.motoringassist.com Turn now! road test

What is it? How safe is it? Who should buy it? The new Seat Ateca is the brand’s first Very, judging by Euro NCAP’s five-star According to Seat, ‘wealthy compact SUV, a rival for the Nissan rating. There are lots of high-tech safety homesteads’ and ‘modern parents’. Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson. There’s features as standard, with further driver According to us, anyone in the market a choice of two- and four-wheel-drive aids, like blind spot detection, available for this type of car will be impressed by versions. as optional extras. the Seat’s value and practicality. Seat Ateca Driving and performance

Seat is the Volkswagen group’s sporty brand, so powerful has 148bhp, and much more mid-range the Ateca should put the ‘sport’ into Sport Utility punch than the 1.6. It makes for a more relaxing Vehicle. For the most part it does, with tidy drive, as you need to change gear less often and handling and strong performance. can rely on the engine’s flexibility. It’s not a The 113bhp 1.0 TSI petrol engine is the whisper-quiet engine if worked hard but there’s surprise package of the Ateca range. A 1.0-litre little noise from under the bonnet at a steady capacity might seem impossibly small to pull 70mph. a car of this size, but it’s refreshingly lively. The more powerful 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel Thanks to turbocharging there’s plenty of mid- really shifts, with near hot-hatch acceleration. range pulling power so the 1.0 TSI is happy Both 2.0-litre cars have four-wheel drive enough on A-roads and motorways as well as ...the 1.4 TSI (although a front-wheel-drive version of the less around town. offers more powerful engine is coming in 2017), so either There’s also a 148bhp 1.4 TSI, which offers “ should make a good choice for anyone with a more pep with only a small penalty at the fuel pep with only caravan or a horsebox to tow. pumps. But when the 1.0 TSI is so good, we a small penalty Whichever engine is chosen, the Ateca drives wouldn’t rush to choose the larger engine. at the fuel well. It’s satisfying rather than out-and-out The most popular choice with company car thrilling, but the Seat corners neatly at sensible drivers is expected to be the 113bhp 1.6 diesel, pumps... speeds and feels stable on twisting roads. That’s as low emissions (from 116g/km of CO2) make especially true of the 2.0-litre diesels which have for affordable tax bills. It performs well enough, more sophisticated rear suspension However, the although there’s a persistent drone at motorway trade off is a rather firm ride. A more supple feel speeds which never quite disappears. over choppy surfaces would be welcome. We prefer the 2.0-litre diesels. The least ” Safety Equipment Costs

There’s a long list of safety kit fitted to Entry-level S cars have 16-inch alloys, The Ateca is very good value, especially the Ateca, with seven airbags, stability height adjustable passenger seat, air when you consider its specification. control, and low-speed autonomous conditioning, and five-inch touchscreen. Prices start from £17,990, which emergency braking with pedestrian SE trim brings digital radio, climate undercuts the cheapest Nissan Qashqai detection (the car will brake if someone control and a larger eight-inch by £555. The most fuel-efficient version steps out in front of the car and the touchscreen. SE Technology models is the 1.6 TDI, with an official combined driver doesn’t spot them). Further driver add satnav and full LED headlights. For figure of 65.7mpg. However, the 1.0 TSI aids are available as extras, including leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, petrol achieves 54.3mpg on 16- or 17- lane assist. The Ateca scored five stars sports seats and more, choose Xcellence inch alloys. Resale values are predicted in Euro NCAP tests. spec. to be strong.

46 www.motoringassist.com Space and practicality

In terms of passenger and luggage space, the Ateca is right up with its roomiest rivals. The driver and front-seat passenger have plenty of room to get comfortable, and a good range of adjustment should allow both short and tall drivers to get comfortable and enjoy a clear view out. The dashboard is well laid out, and there’s an easy-to-use eight-inch touchscreen on all but the most basic trim level. The interior feels well screwed together, although the plastics are less well finished low down on the dash and doors. In the back of the car, head and legroom are both very generous, with enough space for a 6’3” passenger to sit behind an equally tall driver. There are air vents between the front seats to blow chilled air over those in the back – something too many rivals neglect. Boot space is 510 litres (485 litres for 4x4 versions). That’s up to 80 litres more than the Nissan Qashqai’s capacity.

Verdict and figures

Price: £21,580 Performance: 0-62mph 11 seconds Economy: 53.3mpg combined Insurance: Group 9E Tax: Band D (£0 then £110) Figures for the 1.0 TSI Ecomotive SE Technology

4 The Ateca looks sharp; the interior is practical. 6 The ride over rough surfaces is a little firm. Review: David Motton David Review:

WE SAY: The Ateca is stylish, great value and practical. www.motoringassist.com 47

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GMEuro Sep Vehicle 16 P04 Plus 05 welcomeRevised 05_01_16.inddand Auto Express.indd 1 3 10/8/1605/01/2016 16:39:04 16:21 road test Report: James Luckhurst Volkswagen Up! A decade and a half ago, my wife turned a few heads when she picked up a VW Lupo for a long-term test. She worked at a motoring magazine and had to publish a substantial report on it each month for a year. So she was keen to contribute her thoughts when a VW Up! arrived for testing

What is it? side head/thorax airbags for driver and front seat passenger. The Up! is Volkswagen’s city car, built in Bratislava, Slovakia and designed with the town driver in mind. Take it WHO SHOULD BUY IT? outside the city limits and it will manage, but it does become If you drive a low annual mileage, mostly alone, and are hard work if you spend too long on the motorway. looking for something small and economical, then the Up! is a great choice that may also put a smile on your face. HOW SAFE IS IT? The Up! scored very well in Euro NCAP safety testing, DRIVING AND PERFORMANCE leading to a five-star rating. All versions come equipped with The Up! is at its happiest on busy streets, where it can nip driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt reminders and Isofix in and out of tight parking spaces, and turn on a sixpence. child seat attachments. The City Emergency Braking System Choose from three different versions of the 1.0-litre petrol is a clever optional extra priced at £375. Automatically engine (59, 74 and 89bhp). Our test week required clocking activated at speeds under 18mph, it uses a laser sensor to up a lot of miles - more than we would recommend for this detect the risk of an impending collision and automatically type of car in a typical week. Those miles included lots of primes the brakes to make them more sensitive. ESP stability motorway, dual carriageway and bumpy country lanes, where control is standard except on entry level Take Up! models. we would have expected the journey to become tiring and Our range-topping High-Up! version also included hill uncomfortable. But honestly it barely did, which is testament hold, hydraulic brake assist, electronic differential lock and to the excellent ride quality and light handling characteristics,

50 www.motoringassist.com something that doesn’t just happen by chance. Top marks to offered split-folding 60:40 rear seats (this is standard except VW for this. in the entry level model). By the way, we did manage a few city miles in it, venturing as far as a shopping mall in Merthyr Tydfil, where someone EQUIPMENT wishing to combine mischief with restraint obligingly wrote The dashboard and display screen are small in size, as is the ‘Shut’ in the dirt above the ‘Up!’ name on the tailgate. range of buttons surrounding it. Entertainment-wise, there’s a five-inch colour screen DAB radio system that comes as SPACE AND PRACTICALITY standard on the High-Up! models. Go for the entry-level or This is a small car, so don’t expect acres of room for people mid-range version and you have a straightforward DAB radio and cargo. However, legroom in the front is adequate. Bear in with CD. One gripe we had was the driver sun visor, which mind that this is only a four-seater (whether you opt for the we couldn’t use because there was a mirror built in, but no three-door or - as we tested - the five-door version). We came cover. So the driver’s choice was to be blinded by low sun or a cropper with this, as we made ready to take our boys and to stare at various reflections of oneself in the sun visor mirror, their friend to a sports fixture. No middle seat in the back. depending on the angle set. Some owners have overcome this Boot space is good but not class-leading (the Hyundai i10 by cutting and sticking paper covers over the offending mirror. offers 100 more litres with its rear seats folded). Our version Quite why VW couldn’t do that is a mystery. COSTS The range begins with the 1.0-litre Take-Up! 59bhp model costing £8,975. Running costs will be low, thanks to the engine stop-start function (and low-rolling-resistance tyres). The top-end model costs £12,880. VERDICT Price: £12,280 (£12,980 with accessories) Performance: 0-62 in 13.5 seconds Economy: 68.9mpg combined (we achieved 56mpg average) 4 Excellent ride and handling. Insurance: TBA Tax: Band A (£0) 6 No sun visor mirror cover. Figures for High-Up! 1.0-litre BMT 75 PS 5spd manual 5dr Report: James Luckhurst road test

What is it? How safe is it? Who should buy it? The new Kia Niro is a generously The standard Kia Niro has been awarded The Kia Niro is a family-friendly model equipped and ultra-efficient five-door, four Euro NCAP stars, but as you move that can accommodate five occupants five-seat compact crossover car with up the trim levels additional kit such and lots of luggage. With combined petrol-electric hybrid technology. The as autonomous emergency braking is economy of up to 74.3mpg it is ideal for Niro is priced from £21,295. added. owners watching the pennies. Kia Niro Driving and performance

The Kia Niro is the Korean car maker’s first underwhelming CVT transmission, Kia has fitted venture into petrol-electric power in the UK and the Niro with a six-speed twin-clutch automatic combines a 1.6-litre 104bhp petrol engine with a transmission and it certainly seems to deliver 43bhp electric motor driving through a six-speed a more instant response with sharper bursts of dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is based on acceleration at your disposal. an all-new platform which Kia will only use for The car proved very easy to drive and cruised future electrified models. Size-wise, it sits between effortlessly at motorway speeds while also showing the Cee’d hatchback and the Sportage in Kia’s itself to be capable when pushed at pace through line-up. sweeping country lanes. The steering was nice and We tested out the range-topping First Edition, precise and there was very little body roll. costing £26,995, and there were no optional The Niro starts We did find the 18-inch wheels fitted to the First extras to bump up the price. The car featured very up with a subtle Edition model increased the noise levels within the upmarket grey leather upholstery, heated rear seats, “ cabin and also caused the car to feel a little floaty at heated and ventilated front seats, and an electric chime sound times, but that was our only real criticism. tilting and sliding roof. that lets you Another rather clever feature of note is the ‘driver- The Niro starts up with a subtle chime sound that know it’s ready only’ heating system. When there are no other lets you know it’s ready to drive. This may sound passengers in the car the heated or cooled air can like a strange feature, but you can sit behind the to drive. be directed towards the driver rather than wasted in wheel of some hybrids or electric cars wondering areas that are empty. It may sound quite simple, but whether the power is on or not. systems like this really do add up when it comes to Rather than opting for a sometimes noisy and ” saving energy. Safety Equipment Costs

All grades are well equipped with features There are four trim levels called 1, 2, 3 The entry-level 1 model is priced at including seven airbags, but the range- and First Edition and in true Kia tradition £21,295 rising to £26,995 for the top-spec topping First Edition adds blind spot all the kit is included as standard except First Edition. Grades 1 and 2 can deliver detection with rear cross traffic alert, smart for the Advanced Driver Assistance pack combined fuel economy of 74.3mpg with cruise control and autonomous emergency and metallic paint (both are standard on carbon dioxide emissions rated at 88g/ braking. These systems are available on the First Edition). Even the entry-level km, while 3 and First Edition models lower trim levels via an optional Advanced grade is well equipped with LED daytime are rated at 64.2mpg with CO2 emissions Driver Assistance Systems pack costing running lights, dual-zone automatic air at 101g/km. The insurance group for the £350. With these systems fitted the Euro conditioning, all-round electric windows, Niro 3 is 14 but the other trim levels have NCAP safety rating increases from four to lane keep assist, hill-start assist and cruise a lower 12 rating. The Niro comes with a five stars. control with a speed limiter. seven-year warranty.

52 www.motoringassist.com Space and practicality

With its athletic styling the Kia Niro looks every bit the sporty crossover vehicle. The car measures 4,355mm in length, 1,805mm in width and is 1,545mm high, but the all-important factor here is the wheelbase which measures 2,700mm and that means there is ample room for five adults within the car. The rear legroom is good and the raised roofline means the rear seats can accommodate six- footers with ease, too. The driver benefits from an elevated driving position which results in excellent all-round visibility. Kia has been very clever and has positioned the car’s battery below the rear seats. This means it has no impact on luggage space, which ranges from 427 litres to a whopping 1,425 litres with the rear seats dropped flat. In addition, there are lots of handy storage options throughout, including a boot under-floor tray, a practically sized glovebox, a deep central bin, cup holders and useful door pockets.

Verdict and figures

Price: £26,995 Performance: 0-60 in 11.1 seconds Economy: 64.2mpg combined Insurance: Group 12 Tax: Band A (£0)

Figures for the Kia Niro First Edition

4 The Niro shows Kia’s intent to reduce CO2 emissions. 6 The ride can be quite noisy and jittery on 18-inch wheels. Review: Maxine Ashford Review:

WE SAY: A stylish and well-equipped family car with low running costs. www.motoringassist.com 53 road test

What is it? How safe is it? Who should buy it? A budget-brand SUV with elastication. It hasn’t been tested yet by Euro NCAP, Someone with a family, who needs a big The Tivoli XLV is the South Korean car so there’s no confirmation of its crash boot for carrying lots of kit. Not a badge maker’s newest model, essentially the test performance, but it does come well snob, though, plus you mustn’t mind a likeable Tivoli crossover stretched for equipped with seven airbags, including cheesy reverse-Tivoli ‘ILOVIT’ tailgate extra boot space and more practicality. one for the driver’s knees. sticker. SsangYong Tivoli XLV Driving and performance

A 1.6-litre diesel engine in a car that weighs just mostly civilised ride. It is sprung to smooth out under one and a half tonnes makes the Tivoli XLV a most surface undulations tolerably well with robust performer. It won’t quicken your pulse, but adequate cushioning, and is only ruffled by the it drives very pleasantly and does an efficient job as more severe bumps in the road surface. The front- a roomy and comfortable family transporter. It isn’t wheel-drive XLV rides slightly better than the 4x4 exciting to drive, but it’s mannerly and likeable. model, although there’s not much in it. Performance is quite brisk, with enough mid- It’s disappointing that the steering isn’t more pert, range oomph for an overtaking manoeuvre when it’s a bit short on communicative feedback. It is you need it. The engine has a 113bhp power output quite nicely weighted, though. The test car’s auto and 221lb ft of torque. The 0-62 mph acceleration At urban pace gearbox is a bit disappointing, with changes that time is a fairly average 12 seconds, and with a top “the engine isn’t aren’t always where you’d choose, and it can be a speed of 108mph it has ample in reserve for relaxed particularly bit slow to respond. Unless you’re really sold on cruising at the UK legal limit. At urban pace the auto, the manual is a better bet with a slick-action engine isn’t particularly intrusive although you intrusive, six-speed ‘box that suits the car much better, as well are aware of it doing its job, but when you work although you as saving £1,000. it harder across country it becomes quite a bit are aware of it more vocal and is noisier than the engines in other brands’ rival models. doing its job... Most buyers will go for the front-wheel-drive version like our test car, and it behaves agreeably, handles quite tidily, has reasonable grip and a ” Safety Equipment Costs

Seven airbags make a good starting The XLV comes well-equipped with The standard Tivoli is good value and so point, and there’s a standard stability standard kit, including dual-zone climate is this longer XLV model, which costs control system to help keep the car control, cruise control, TomTom satnav, £1,000 more than its smaller sibling. in line if there’s a risk of skidding. It leather upholstery, a rear-view camera With a price range from £18,250 to also has brake assist, hill start assist, for reversing, and heated front seats back £20,500, the XLV looks reasonable value active rollover protection and automatic and front. There is only one trim level, for money. CO2 outputs range from hazard warning activation in an and that’s high-spec ELX. What’s rather 117 to 154g/km. The auto transmission emergency stop. There are plans to add surprisingly missing, though, is an extra costs £1,000 over the manual version. It active city braking before it undergoes pair of seats at the back. Despite the extra has the standard SsangYong five-year, crash testing for Euro NCAP, which length and big boot, it’s five-seater only, unlimited mileage warranty, which is hasn’t happened yet. with no seven-seat option. more generous than on most other cars.

54 www.motoringassist.com Space and practicality

This is the Tivoli XLV’s key asset, good interior space and a particularly big boot. Although it is on the same wheelbase as a standard Tivoli, the XLV’s body is almost 25cm longer, and it makes a big difference in carrying capacity. While its smaller sibling has a pretty reasonable 423 litres of boot room, the XLV has a whopping 720 litres, only 50 litres less than an Audi Q7. When the back seats are folded down, it’s like a van with windows, with a big enough load area to ferry home a large chest of drawers or a couple of bikes. The boot lip is high, as is typical of this type of car, so it’s a bit of a lift to load in heavy items. There’s no spare wheel, just a tyre inflation kit for dealing with a puncture, which some may find a bit inconvenient. Overall, though, it’s a space ace of a car.

Verdict and figures

Price: £19,250 Performance: 0-60 in 12.0 seconds Economy: 57.6mpg combined Insurance: Group 20 Tax: Band G (£185)

Figures for Tivoli XLV ELX auto

4 Practical and roomy with lots of luggage space. 6 Not the prettiest crossover and the engine’s noisy. Review: Sue Baker Review:

WE SAY: The likeable Tivoli with added length, bigger boot, and better practicality. www.motoringassist.com 55 Used car choice

Nissan Qashqai

For a car that is now such a after that, Nissan revised the exterior looks, added a new dash and fitted more soundproofing. Then, in 2011, the common sight on our roads, it’s 2.0-litre diesel was superseded by a smoother, more frugal hard to imagine how bold the 1.6 turbodiesel. Nissan Qashqai was when launched What to look for n The diesel particulate filter fitted to the later models with in 2007, writes Al Suttie the 1.5-litre turbodiesel can block up if the car isn’t used for a longer run once a week. This allows the filter to burn off the soot that collects in it. You’ll notice a blockage by lacklustre Introduction performance. The Qashqai blended elements of a small hatch with SUV n On the 2.0-litre diesel, the gear lever was known to come looks and stance, creating the crossover segment. Nissan off in the driver’s hand, but Nissan should have solved this offered four-wheel drive for those who thought they might under warranty. With any model, listen out for noises from tackle trickier terrain, but it was the front-wheel-drive models the front brakes that might indicate warped discs. They’re not that proved the best sellers. A choice of 1.6- and 2.0-litre expensive to replace but factor this into the price you pay. petrol engines offered decent performance. However, the best n Any Qashqai with auto stop-start fitted needs the correct bet were the diesels, covered by the 1.5 dCi and followed heavy duty battery to function properly. Check this is present. soon after launch by a 2.0-litre unit that came with a CVT Also keep an ear open for any rattles from the rear suspension (continuously variable transmission) auto. The 1.5 diesel and that indicates shock absorbers that are past their best. 2.0 petrol have a slick six-speed manual, while the 1.6-litre n On the inside, some of the plastics on older cars will be petrol uses a five-speed manual. showing signs of wear and use. Look for any cracks and A seven-seat Qashqai+2 pitched up in 2008 to offer greater listen for creaks. versatility, though the back seats are quite cramped. A year n There have been several recalls for the Qashqai that cover

56 www.motoringassist.com items such as potential loss of steering control, engines will add a further £2,500 to that starting price. Aim for a late seizing, fuel leaks and failing air conditioning pumps. Check model and you can find plenty of 2013 cars from £8,500, the service history carefully to make sure all of this work has while the very last high spec +2s command up to £16,000. been completed. Overall rating Which one to buy Choosing which Qashqai suits your needs has a lot to do with the mileage you cover. While the diesels are most numerous, the particulate filter on the 1.5-litre unit can clog up if only We say: used for short hops around town. This can make the 1.6 petrol As versatile and family-friendly as ever and decent to drive. a better bet, but if you cover a lot of miles the 1.5 diesel is best. The other decision is which trim level to choose. Visia is Others to consider the entry-point to the range, but we’d recommend skipping Ford Kuga that and choosing Acenta with climate control and parking Ford’s Kuga is a spacious, practical crossover. It drives sensors. The high-spec N-tec has satellite navigation and brilliantly, which is its true appeal, and has excellent diesels. larger alloy wheels, while the Tekna gains leather seats and a sunroof. Skoda Yeti Unusual looks have never hindered the Yeti’s popularity and How much to pay it’s easy to see why when you drive it. It’s big inside, too. You can pick up Qashqais quite cheaply now – an early GM example with 80,000 miles on the clock and full service record will cost from £4,000. That will give you a choice of front- and four-wheel drive models, while the seven-seat +2 www.motoringassist.com 57 road test

What is it? How safe is it? Who should buy it? The S90 saloon and V90 estate mark Every model has plenty of airbags, Anyone looking for comfort, quiet and Volvo’s return to the large executive autonomous emergency braking, lots of cabin space will be drawn to the class to take on the likes of the Audi A6, adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist Volvo S90 and V90. The V estate also the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes which allows the car to steer itself under offers an impressively cavernous and E-Class. the driver’s watchful supervision. very practical boot. Volvo S90/V90 Driving and performance

One of the most remarkable elements of the S- and are as engaging as a BMW 5 Series on twisty roads, V90’s driving manners is the way it deals with but the steering provides good weight and feel. ragged road surfaces. It may not be something you Power comes from a pair of 2.0-litre turbodiesel pay much attention to, but you notice it in other engines to begin with, and a T8 hybrid will follow cars after driving the Swede. It’s incredibly smooth that promises a 28-mile electric-only range and and hushed, brushing over battered roads with a carbon dioxide emissions of just 44g/km. The calm efficiency that delivers you to journey’s end 190hp D4 comes with a six-speed auto ’box and feeling relaxed. covers 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds for the S90 and 8.5 Another facet that is very much in favour of these seconds for the V90. It’s a refined motor and offers cars is their refinement. Some engine noise can be as much as 64.9mpg and 116g/km CO2 emissions. heard when you press hard on the accelerator, but Move up to the D5 and you get all-wheel drive and otherwise there’s very little audible disturbance These Volvos 235hp, along with up to 58.9mpg and 127g/km. from wind or tyres. Not only does this make the S- corner and This motor uses PowerPulse technology to send and V90 models great at covering long distances, “ compressed air into the turbocharger to avoid any it’s good news for passengers as you can converse handle with lag, and it works very well. Put your foot down easily between the front and rear pews without ever sure-footed and the D5 simply pulls hard and fast up to the having to resort to raised voices. motorway speed limit before settling to barely a This isn’t to say these Volvos are just soft ease... murmur. plodders. They corner and handle with sure-footed ease and there’s the option of all-wheel drive for added traction if you go for the D5 models. None ” Safety Equipment Costs

Volvo expects a five-star Euro NCAP The entry-point Momentum has alloy Prices start from £32,555 for the S90, rating for both cars. They come with wheels, climate control, DAB digital and £34,555 for the V90. In terms of driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, radio, Bluetooth, 9-inch central display fuel economy and emissions, the S90 plus one for the driver’s knees. There are screen, leather upholstery with heated D4 offers 64.2mpg and 116g/km of CO2, also Isofix seat mounts on the two outer front seats, electric seat adjustment and while the D5 model achieves 58.9mpg on rear chairs. Electronic aids include Driver keyless entry. The R-Design has 18-inch the combined cycle and emits 127g/km. Alert Control, Adaptive Cruise Control alloys, gloss black exterior details, a The V90 D4 does 62.8mpg and 119g/km, and City Safety autonomous emergency larger 12.3-inch colour touchscreen and while the D5 provides 57.6mpg and 129g/ braking. Pilot Assist can help with Contour Sports seats. Pick the Inscription km. Resale values should be strong for steering the car on the motorway. and you enjoy Nappa leather, a chrome the Swede, and insurance falls between finished grille and 10-spoke alloy wheels. groups 27 and 33.

58 www.motoringassist.com Space and practicality

Previous S- and V90 models have majored on space and this new generation is no different. The driver enjoys an airy and capacious driving environment and the front seats are the most comfortable of any car in this class. Support is ideal and there’s masses of adjustment. Move to the back seats and it’s the same story, with lots of head, leg and shoulder space for two adults. Three kids will fit with ease. Open the boot on the S90 saloon and you find a long, wide cargo bay that offers 500 litres of space. It’s not the biggest in the class but will swallow luggage easily thanks to its uninterrupted rectangular shape. Lift the tailgate of the V90 and you find 560 litres of space, which again is not the best in sector, but the Volvo makes up for it by using every inch of space. Drop the 60/40 split rear seats and 1526 litres of load area is freed up.

Verdict and figures

Price: £32,555 Performance: 0-62 in 8.2 seconds Economy: 64.2mpg combined Insurance: Group 27 Tax: Band C (£0 then £30)

Figures for the Volvo S90 D4 Momentum

4 Masses of cabin space and a very cushy ride. 6 Not the most entertaining car in the class to drive. Review: Al isdair Suttie Al Review:

WE SAY: If comfort is a priority, then the Volvo is a worthy winner. www.motoringassist.com 59 road test

What is it? How safe is it? Who should buy it? The C3 is Citroën’s attempt to get Pretty safe. It’s impressive that every It’s not as good to drive as a Ford back on the car buyer’s radar after the new C3 gets a lane departure warning Fiesta, but if you value comfort and deeply dull previous C3 supermini. system, speed limit recognition and style then, in our experience, the new The new one, we’re pleased to say, is warning, plus driver break alert and six and refined C3 is a very capable and a very different proposition. airbags. characterful supermini. Citroën C3 Driving and performance

Citroën, true to its traditions, isn’t looking to higher speeds. take on the likes of the Ford Fiesta as the best The manual gearbox isn’t the most pleasant handling car in the segment; it has the more shift, with the long throw increasing the premium DS3 model for that. Rather the new possibility for fluffing a change if rushed, C3 is a comfortable and well designed car inside while the optional automatic fitted to the top and out that is looking to re-establish Citroën in petrol engine and coming a month behind the a sector of the market it’s lost some ground in, C3’s January 2017 launch is, despite much thanks to the very forgettable previous C3. improvement, still a touch jerky and lacking the The steering is light, which is great around finesse of most modern autos. town but less so on the twistier roads that But visibility is good all-round, thanks in part admittedly won’t make up so much of the to a driving position that feels higher than rival C3’s natural environment, and the pay-off for ...the C3 is a cars, brought on by the C3 being a bit more a comfortable ride quality that absorbs bumps comfortable jacked up and having a higher stance than it nicely is that there is some body roll, accentuated “ appears in pictures. for passengers by the absence of grab handles. and well An attempt to appeal more to younger buyers It’s reasonably refined, too, without being designed car, also means customisation is key, with the class-leading, and the engine range covers opportunity to combine a choice of nine colours 68hp, 82hp and 110hp petrol engines and 75hp inside and out... with three different roof options, creating 36 or 100hp diesels, with all achieving an official combinations, joined by a selection of four combined fuel economy of over 60mpg. The different interior trims. most popular engine is likely to be the 82hp 1.2, which offers enough performance to pick through urban traffic, and can hold its own at ” Safety Equipment Costs

The lack of an autonomous emergency DAB radio, Bluetooth, the safety kit The new C3 starts below £11,000, braking system makes a five-star Euro mentioned above and cruise control though it’s worth noting that there is a NCAP rating unlikely. It will be optional are included in the base model. The hefty step of more than £2000 between shortly after launch. But Citroën should mid-level Feel trim adds 16-inch alloys, the entry Touch and middle Feel trims, be commended for fitting a speed limit coloured roof, the Apple CarPlay media and a £1050 journey from the Feel to the reading and warning system to all system seven-inch touchscreen. Top- top spec Flair. Diesel models all have a models. Top-spec cars get Citroën’s spec Flair brings the airbump feature CO2 emission figure of under 100g/km new video recording system that will designed to protect the doors from car (so zero VED), with the most efficient automatically record 30 seconds before park bashes, along with kit such as auto model being the 75hp BlueHDi-branded and one minute after a collision. lights and rear parking sensors. diesel.

60 www.motoringassist.com Space and practicality

Working from the back, the 300-litre boot matches the Renault Clio’s and is a touch larger than the Ford Fiesta’s or Peugeot 208’s. However, it’s worth noting the hefty lip items will need to be lifted over to drop them into the luggage area. Rear passengers have reasonable head- and legroom, as long as the driver isn’t too tall. Up front, there’s a characterful array of materials and textures on display. Everything feels chunky and well put together and the door bins are a decent size, but a bit more stowage space in the central area wouldn’t go amiss. The seven-inch touchscreen system on all bar the entry Touch trim is a frustration, though. The company has successfully decluttered the interior, but it means switching between screens to do something as basic as changing the temperature settings or radio station; doubly frustrating if you’ve also got the £500 optional satnav system.

Verdict and figures

Price: £13,690 Performance: 0-62mph 13 seconds Economy: 60.1mpg combined Insurance: TBC Tax: Band B (£0 first year, then £20)

Figures for Puretech 82 Feel manual Review: Paul Barker Paul Review:

4 The new C3 looks great, has flair and is comfortable. 6 It’s not as good to drive as various rivals.

WE SAY: A welcome return to form for Citroën in the small car segment. www.motoringassist.com 61 road test

What is it? How safe is it? Who should buy it? This new version of Volkswagen’s seven- This latest Touran received a five-star The Touran is a fantastic and versatile seater MPV was unveiled at the 2015 rating from Euro NCAP. Features family car. It’s great to drive, Geneva Motor Show. It’s larger and more include curtain airbags, driver’s knee economical to run and manages to spacious than the version it replaces, with airbag and pre-crash preventative ensure third-row passengers don’t feel a new seat-folding system. occupant protection. like an afterthought. Volkswagen Touran Driving and performance

When the Touran first appeared (in 2003), it quickly there’s no 30 or 70 shown), with a clear fuel gauge. established itself as a favourite with families who The dial to left shows revs and temperature. didn’t want a full-size MPV. We had one of the Driving the Touran is a great experience. The first models on test for a year, and found it hard to six-speed twin-clutch DSG automatic ‘box in the fault its versatility and practicality. As for this 2.0-litre TDi 150PS version works brilliantly, with version? It’s great to drive, with consistently good satisfying acceleration, no delay in pick-up and a ride and no handling surprises. Let’s take a quick very responsive feel. It reduces the stress of driving tour, starting with the driver’s seat. The position is The six-speed in busy town traffic, it improves economy and it adjusted by ratchet under the front seats – a surprise DSG auto- makes gear-changes ultra-smooth and immediate. A that it’s not electric. “ car that’s great to drive and comfortable to travel in Looking round, the cockpit layout is smart and box works as a psssenger. well presented. There’s a flat bottom steering wheel brilliantly, The emphasis here should be on comfort, not with radio controls on its left side and phone/ speed. The Touran evens out inconsistencies in just computer controls on right. Two large dials flank with satisfying about any road surface, and you’ll be unlikely to a largish computer read-out which shows miles per acceleration hear many complaints from the passengers (even hour, variable speed warnings (which you set), oil and no delay in those in the third row of seats who often have a temperature, fuel consumption, fuel consumption rather less enjoyable journey experience). Compare (we achieved 51.9mpg), range, air-con usage, pick-up... it with earlier generations of wallowy MPVs and travelling time, distance travelled and average you’ll find it’s better by far for everyone. speed. On the motorway, the Touran offers a nice quiet The dial to right shows the speed in mph (a pity ” ride with low levels of road and wind noise. Safety Equipment Costs

Extensive kit includes an automatic post- A height-adjustable driver’s seat is Line up the Touran against the Ford crash braking system, curtain airbags for standard across the model range, as is S-Max, Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, or front- and second-row passengers and a front central arm rest and a steering Vauxhall Zafira Tourer, and you’d most front-row side impact airbags. The driver wheel that’s manually adjustable for reach likely feel you were paying a bit over and front passenger seats have four-way and rake via a large lever to the left of the odds. Bear in mind the relatively low adjustable head restraints, and there’s the the steering column. SE trim vehicles insurance premium and predicted strong VW ‘Precrash’ preventative occupant get automatic wipers and lights. The resale values, both of which will help protection, that identifies the possibility optional £245 ‘convenience pack’ offers with the total cost. Fuel economy on the of a collision and automatically closes folding wing mirrors and an automatically test model was excellent, and a three- electric windows (and sunroof). It also dimming rear-view mirror. The natty year, 60,000-mile warranty is standard tensions the front seatbelts. folding towbar costs £680. across the range.

62 www.motoringassist.com Space and practicality

As large family cars go, the Touran is perfectly placed to deal with big loads. Even smaller items are not neglected, as the line-up of pockets, boxes and cupholders shows. Passengers do very well. The three middle-row seats are all the same size (each with Isofix seat settings), and journeys will be made more interesting for small fry thanks to the addition of folding tables on the front row seat backs (except for S-trim vehicles). Because the Touran is front-wheel drive, there is no loss of space that would otherwise be required for the drive shaft underneath. The boot is class-leading; deep, wide and massive. Both middle and rear rows can be folded to give a properly flat floor. Finally a quick word about the magnificent sunroof. The front part opens and slides back (half way) in seven seconds. A screen opens and shuts the entire sunroof at the press of a button, a process taking 16 seconds.

Verdict and figures

Price: £32,205 (as tested) Performance: 0-62 in 9.3 seconds Economy: 57.6mpg combined Insurance: Group 17E Tax: Band D (£0 then £110)

Figures for Touran SE 2.0-litre TDi 150PS 6-speed DSG Review: James Luckhurst James Review:

4 Drives well, with loads of space for people and freight 6 Costs more (a lot more) than most close rivals

WE SAY: Everything about the Touran works really well. We love it. www.motoringassist.com 63 Christmas gifts

To James, Lots of love ...for all the family from Freyaxxx If the late night garage has sold its last box of Ferrero Rocher, then who knows... our selection of practical gifts could just hit the spot!

Road Atlas £24.99 at good book shops TomTom Via This ‘New Edition’ Philip’s 52 Navigator atlas contains £159.99 from wonderfully detailed mapping – Argos and who doesn’t love poring over This new a good map?! The scale for most satnav with of the country is 1:100,000 but real time traffic for parts of Northern Scotland it gives you free drops to 1:200,000. There are 12 updates for the life urban approach maps and 100 of the device. Sporting a five-inch screen with UK town and city plans. Spiral bound, and European mapping, it can plan for you the best it’s big and heavy, but it does stay flat when open. A great route, missing traffic hold-ups wherever possible. back-up for the satnav generation. In the box you’ll find the device, a reversible mount and a USB cable and car charger.

Garmin DriveAssist 50 £249.99 from Maplin Glove Locker Torch Garmin’s five-inch £5 from Halfords satnav comes with UK, Operated by an on-off switch at the base, this little Ireland and European torch has nine LEDs to light your way around the mapping. There’s also a car. It’s small enough to be kept in the car’s glove dashcam that records your journey automatically, saving locker or your pocket. collision footage. It even has the good manners to tell you when you have stopped in traffic that the vehicles in front have moved on. An excellent assistant for safe driving.

Tiger Moth Flight £135 The Tiger Moth is a classic 1930s open cockpit Valeting Kit biplane. Before WW2, RAF pilots did their basic £25 from Halfords training on this aircraft. There are just a few Contains all you’ll ever need to keep your vehicle airworthy examples flying and this is a chance to in good fettle. Inside you’ll find sponge, microfibre experience the thrills of open cockpit aviation. cloth, a litre of Snow Foam Shampoo, Spray-on Prices range from £135 for a 15-minute trial flight, Shine, Demon Clean, Demon Wheels and Demon progressing to £249 for half an hour and £355 for Tyres. There is also some air freshener with a 45 minutes. An hour costs £449. mighty oak scent. From aerolegends.co.uk or call 01622 812830.

64 www.motoringassist.com Compiled by David Stokes

Track Day From £39 At Virgin’s Experience Days you can drive the Baseball cap classic car of your dreams. Step into the 1965 £5.99 from Machinemart Ford Mustang for as little as £39 on three laps The nifty Clarke International 5 LED of the Goodwood Track, (there is an expert Baseball Cap doubles as a headlight. instructor with you). There are many other Handy at night for finding a problem ‘experiences’ including drives in a tank, Chevy under the bonnet or changing a wheel. Camaro, Corvette and a Nissan Skyline. Available via machinemart.co.uk Check out virginexperiencedays.co.uk

Retro Racing Car £39 from Halfords From motoring’s roots the Halfords Retro Racing Car ride-on toy is just the job for car-mad toddlers. Let them experience the thrill of an old time racing car. Made of metal topped with a chrome steering wheel, the car runs along quietly on rubber tyres. Key Ring Torches £1.99 from Halfords A nice low price for a child’s pocket money to buy a present for Mum or Dad. They come in three animal typres; a duck, a piglet and a cow. Fun and useful, they run on three button cell batteries (included) and are small enough to live on your key ring. Available from Halfords.

GEM Driver Assessment £55 Here’s a present with a difference. We all get our cars an MOT every year but few of us bother about getting our driving checked. That could mean several decades have elapsed since anyone took a look at what we’re doing well and what habits might be risky – or even dangerous. The driver assessment, operated in conjunction with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, is an enjoyable way of developing your skills and dusting down any deficiencies, as Valerie Singleton found when she experienced one recently. It’s not a test, so there’s no pressure to perform! We thoroughly recommend it as a great gift for anyone you care about. Call RoSPA on 0121 248 2099 or go to motoringassist.com/driver-assessment

65 www.motoringassist.com Member interview I drive like a Sicilian or a Parisian... Revd James Pitkin, Lockerley, Hampshire

Two decades as an engineering officer in the RAF have prepared James well for his role as a country parson

I was in the RAF for 19 years student. My day job at the time from the age of 17 through to was in Whitehall, working in 36. In that time I worked on electronic warfare. There was every aircraft in the RAF’s a fair bit of travelling involved, inventory, including Spitfires, and I had the chance to drive Hurricanes and Lancasters. I many different hire cars. I was fortunate to spend some discovered which ones I liked time at Boscombe Down, driving and which I didn’t. My where my tasks included favourite was an Alfa Romeo confirming that new radios 127. It was comfortable and being fitted to the Lancaster responsive. The worst was Pic: the boot of James Pitkin’s Fiat Panda was once pressed would not lead to the distress probably a Vauxhall Corsa. into service as a makeshift altar. Below, James can also be flares exploding. I checked I was ordained in 1999, seen on two wheels around his four Hampshire parishes. Pics: John Eccles wiring and frequencies for four months before I formally possible problems, but I’m retired from the RAF. So for pleased to say all was fine. my departure interview I was LIVING THE DREAM countryside, but there is In the RAF I travelled there in a dog collar, which I have just ordered a hardship. I have become very around the world, not staying caused the senior officers some Mazda MX-5 RF in soul good at not going round blind anywhere particularly long, but confusion. I have thought about red for delivery in the corners speedily. visiting lots of countries. One what transferable skills there spring... my dream car. The journey between the The plan is take my responsibility I had as a junior might be from RAF engineer wife Sue back up for four parishes requires me to officer was driving from the to clerk in holy orders. Well, a summer journey to use two level crossings. Not accommodation to the airfields, definitely you need to be good explore some of the long ago there was a need to and I picked up a reputation as at photocopying, and a dab fabulous roads around close one of them for three a driver (not a good reputation, hand at furniture moving. Both RAF Kinloss in the weeks to vehicles (pedestrians I fear). During a period serving have been common threads north of Scotland. This could still cross) while various in Sicily, I was the only throughout my careers. Dealing is where I was posted upgrades to its safe operation member of the detachment not with people is the real thing, of at the start of my RAF were put in place. This meant to have an accident with the course, whether it’s talking to career, so it will be that instead of a quick nip over vehicle. I was proud of this, a technician trying to identify wonderful to go back. the railway line, I now faced a but my colleagues said it was an engineering problem, or detour of more than 20 miles simply because I drove like a chatting to a couple about to reach the church. So we Sicilian. getting married. It’s all about decided to be resourceful and A little later, when I was communication… hold the midweek communion driving a group of French I now look after four service al fresco at the level officers in this country, they parishes, located in 32 crossing, with my Fiat Panda’s likened my driving style to that square miles of Hampshire boot pressed into service as a of a Parisian taxi driver. I chose countryside with fewer than makeshift altar. I was pleased to take it as a compliment, but 2,500 people. It may be viewed that we attracted a few extra I’m not sure I should have. by outsiders as a rural people to the service while Working on airfields gave idyll, but they probably the level crossing was me the opportunity to drive don’t realise what a shut. a wide variety of vehicles, rural setting brings A quick reflection on from large lorries to aircraft with it. Yes, my driving? Well, what tugs and tractors… the ones it’s certainly I think it is and what it that stand out are the ones that beautiful ought to be are probably were not wonderful to drive. not the same things. I can remember the Squadron But I like to think of Mini Metro back in the 1980s. myself as observant No one wanted to drive it. and anticipatory. However, being the most junior Enthusiastic, too. I do officer, I was saddled with it. love driving on the Later in my RAF career I roads around our four trained in Salisbury Theological beautiful parishes. College as a non-residential

66 www.motoringassist. Membership What it means for you All these specially negotiated benefits are ONLY available to GEM Members. Contact them now quoting your GEM Membership number.

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Comprehensive cover for Free advice on motoring / Specially arranged For a free information pack Make significant savings Find out if your driving trailer tent, touring caravan, road safety issues. We will discounted rates for GEM and quotation contact on all your household bills, skills are still up to scratch. tent and static caravan do our best to answer any Members from The Health HMCA with Utility Warehouse 1 hour appraisal (no pass motoring related questions Insurance Group or fail test) of your driving Call 01277 243 010 Call 01423 866985 Call 0333 777 3212 to help keep you safe and by a Class 1 Police Driver. Quote GEM For a personal quote ring Quote GEM Quote C76126 legal on the road Suitable for any age driver motoringassist.com/shield 01273 889590 hmca.co.uk/gem.htm motoringassist.com/uw Call 01342 825676 Quote GEM Call 0121 248 2099 motoringassist.com/driver- assessment

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GEM Benefit Sheet A4 2pp_20.07.16.indd 1 02/08/2016 15:47 Make the most of your GEM member bene ts

Just look at the range of worthwhile “I have had benefits for GEM members: to use GEM recovery twice ■ FREE Accident Management service in the last year ■ Good Motoring magazine posted to your and they have home four times a year been brilliant. ■ FREE technical advice From the ■ FREE road safety advice initial call to ■ FREE GEM breakdown app the recovery, ■ Great value driver assessment scheme the service ■ Specially negotiated discounts on airport is great.” parking, hotels, car hire and much more Geoff Serrick

Make sure you choose GEM for your breakdown cover. Our service has a Defaqto 5 Star rating and was also voted No.1 for value for money in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2016.

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