Good motoringThe magazine for members of GEM Motoring Assist Winter 2018 An inspector calls Secrets from the Michelin Guide

PLUS Simple tips for safer winter journeys

Mobile phone folly: Crystal ball gazing: Competition: why are conviction rates technology you’ll want to win a two-night break at falling across the UK? know about for 2019 the fabulous West Arms Snowy night. Flat battery. Stuck. Everyone from first phone contact to the visit was friendly and efficient. Phone call answered quickly, clear information about attendance times and contact number offered. Mechanic fixed the issue swiftly and efficiently. Very happy. Merry Christmas after all. Thanks GEM! Mrs Scott, Lincoln

If you need a helping hand this Christmas...... our award-winning breakdown recovery service is there for you, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Of course, we hope you won’t need our assistance. But if you do, you know we will go the extra mile to help you. Have a very happy and safe Christmas.

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safety advice, latest technology, best and WINTER worst motorway stops Regulars Don’t miss YOUR LETTERS: what you thought of our 09 feature on safety around horses, and why one COMPETITION: a chance to win a fabulous reader saw red over our speed detection review. 16 two-night break at The West Arms, a beautiful country inn near Llangollen in North Wales.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: our seasonal guide gives 12 you great ideas on days out, short breaks and how your GEM membership can bag you some FLYING HIGH: when the RAF invited us to worthwhile bargains. 18 find out how its people deal with road risks, we jumped at the chance. Our recent visit to Coningsby even included a look at the Battle of CHARITY UPDATE: GEM’s sponsorship of Britain Memorial Flight. 23 Project EDWARD, the European Day Without a Road Death, has helped win a big safety prize. STEER CLEAR OF SKID ROW: whether 24 the months to come are cold, wet, snowy, icy, windy, foggy - or even clear and sunny - we reckon there’s something useful for everyone and every vehicle in our winter round-up.

ROSES ARE BLOOMING IN PICARDY: 38 Alan Wakely urges us not to charge through northern France without pausing and taking a good look round. His line-up of recommended stop-offs includes Senlis, Chantilly and Laon.

SCREENWASH ISN’T SCREENWASH: 44 Jerry Johns offers words of caution after managing to fill his washer bottle with fluid that was meant to go in a diesel engine’s emissions regulation system. Uh-oh! 16 4 www.motoringassist.com Guest contributors >>

Samantha Jones Neil Barrett is a started reporting at technology writer and the Express & Star in consultant, specialising the 90s, later moving in web development, to The Times and the infrastructure and Press Association. She security, with a global spent 14 years as a client base. He chairs news editor at Sky News and is conferences and provides now a freelance reporter and interactive technology at events field producer. across Europe. Neil is a keen Samantha’s investigation into traveller and blogger, particularly dwindling driver mobile phone enjoying driving abroad. offence conviction rates starts on Neil’s tech picks for 2019 can be page 20. found starting on page 30.

Automotive

ON THE ROAD: our line-up of road tests and 44 reviews starts here with a few choice words from David Motton.

JAGUAR I-PACE: it’s fast, luxurious and very 45 expensive, so does Jaguar’s first electric vehicle 26 have a hope of offering a worthy alternative to the Tesla? Sue Baker does some finding out.

PHONE PENALTIES: conviction rates for 20 driver mobile phone offences have fallen. Does this mean we’re all heeding the warnings? Unfortunately not, according to Samantha Jones. 4X4 TRIPLE TEST: how about a small 4x4, 48 with an affordable purchase price and running costs, and without the questionable green WHERE’S MY FRY-UP? sixty years after credentials of a bigger, thirstier vehicle? Our 26 the first motorway service station flung open road test editor was joined by a group of its doors, Sandra Macdonald-Ames struggles to GEM members to try the Suzuki Ignis, the tuck in to a fry-up on any of her motorway stops. Dacia Duster and the Ford EcoSport. But she does find some other tasty treats.

FUTURE PERFECT: Neil Barrett 30 considers the best of the technology that’s likely to find its way into new cars during 2019.

ASK THE EXPERTS: what can happen if you TOY STORY: yes, folks, it’s head- 52 put the wrong oil in a diesel engine, plus advice 35 to-head non-stop action as Formula 1 on finding an electric car that will make a decent comes to a living room floor near you. Yes, we fist of towing a caravan. celebrate the plastic fantastic thrills and spills of Scalextric racing. HYUNDAI SANTA FE: David Motton 54 appreciates the extra kit, but rails at the AN INSPECTOR CALLS: no-one’s significantly increased price tag. 41 allowed behind the scenes with a Michelin hotel inspector, but our Russell Higham has managed to find out a little about DESIGNATED DRIVER DELIGHTS: their work, and what it means to gain - or lose - 66 whether you want zesty, spicy, rich, creamy, a coveted Michelin star. fruity, steaming or nourishing, we have your non-alcoholic beverage needs covered!

www.motoringassist.com 5 Wishing you a happy and safe Christmas

Chief Executive’s letter

A very warm welcome to the Winter edition of Good Motoring, from your number one breakdown provider, GEM Motoring Assist. I hope you will enjoy the line-up of articles, offers and updates we have put together - this time with a distinctly seasonal feel to them.

My first task is to offer, on behalf of everyone at GEM, sincere congratulations to Project EDWARD (European Day Without a Road Death) on winning a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award. We were pleased to be the very first organisation to offer support to Project EDWARD when it was first organised in 2016, and we were a sponsor again in 2018. We had a sense that it would develop into a really worthwhile awareness-raiser for road safety, and it has certainly delivered in that respect, with massive social media engagement and some high-profile support for its worthy aims. I am sure that there is the opportunity for further growth and success in years to come.

Nobody wants the misery and inconvenience of a breakdown during the winter (or at any time, for that matter), but I just want you to know that we are here for you if you need us.... on Christmas Day, New Year or any time. If you need roadside assistance, I know that our teams will do their utmost There are often to help you, day or night. “some simple There are often some simple things you can do to avoid a breakdown, things you can so we do encourage you to get your battery checked before winter. We do to avoid a have plenty of other practical tips to help you cope with the worst wintry breakdown... conditions. See our round-up which starts on page 24. Finally, a word from our road safety team about lights. Please don’t wait until dark to switch them on, and please don’t rely on daytime running lights, because they will not light up the rear of your car.

All I should now do is wish you and your family a very peaceful and safe ” Christmas, and encourage you to enjoy this edition of Good Motoring! Good luck with the fabulous competition (which you’ll find on page 16), and have a very happy New Year.

Paula Williams

GOOD MOTORING is the magazine for Good Motoring is the property of GEM problems arising from advertisements members of GEM Motoring Assist. Motoring Assist. All rights reserved. The within Good Motoring. In the first instance, Editor: James Luckhurst 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 Motoring Assist. GEM does not accept any advertiser concerned. Should you not reach Advertising enquiries: David Breary, responsibility for errors or omissions. a satisfactory conclusion within a reasonable Creative Publishing Services Good Motoring is distributed quarterly via period of time, please contact us by post or [email protected] Royal Mail to members of GEM Motoring email. Assist worldwide. For questions and Write to: Good Motoring, GEM Motoring comments relating to GEM membership, Assist, Station Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, Good Motoring is published by Good Motoring subscriptions and editorial, RH18 5EN GEM Motoring Assist. contact GEM Motoring Assist. Telephone: 01342 825676 © GEM Motoring Assist 2018 Email: [email protected] Complaints policy: We hope you never Please note: magazine enquiries only to this experience any problems relating to the email address. contents of Good Motoring. GEM Motoring Assist can accept no responsibility for www.motoringassist.com

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Feedback [email protected]

Saddle sore Making it. I think, however, that the article on Kate As someone who cycles often, I generally contact: Humble could have dealt with her love of skinny enjoyed your article on sharing the road (Peter dipping and private nudity a bit better. It starts Rodger, Autumn edition). However, I was very We welcome your with “... an opportunity to confront the rumour letters and we do disappointed to see your disapproving mention our best to publish of Kate’s passion for skinny dipping.” Confront! of cyclists not using the cycle lane. Use of cycle as many of them Discuss, delve into, talk about perhaps but lanes is not compulsory, as clearly stated in rules as we can. Do confront? It sounds like she is to be interrogated 61 and 63 of the Highway Code. Cycle lanes please keep any regarding some wrongdoing. “Rumour”... One and tracks can be, even where well intentioned, letter meant for of Kate’s skinny dips was broadcast on the BBC very poor infrastructure or badly maintained (or publication to a in January 2018. both!), or force poor road-positioning. maximum length Kate says “It’s a weird thing because people Your article suggests we should put ourselves of 200 words, and are so funny about nudity, particularly in in the shoes of other road users. I fear what it relating to one Britain” and her observation was vindicated by has done is increase the misconception that topic. Please only the author dismissing her nudie activities with a send a letter if you cyclists must use bicycle lanes. So instead are happy to receive very prudish “quite enough of that dear reader”. of complaining that some cyclists don’t use correspondence John Williamson the bicycle lane, I suggest it is much more in return, and for productive to understand the valid reasons your full name Oh dear... sorry to disappoint. I will have words why they don’t, and to understand that it is not to be published with Maxine the interviewer and encourage her compulsory. alongside it in to loosen up a bit in future! Ed. Katherine Odom future editions of Good Motoring. The Highway Code encourages cyclists to use Please don’t send It’s not all about speed cycle lanes ‘when practicable’. Ed. any membership My latest copy of Good Motoring has arrived enquiries or change of and as always provides interesting reading. This Warm up your reviews address notices issue however also caused raised blood pressure! I thoroughly enjoy reading your car reviews to the editor. The article on speed cameras and their efficacy, and am very glad you have now got a bit more illustrates perfectly what is wrong with road ‘critical’. I do find them a little cold, though, in safety measures in this country. The obsession that there isn’t a sort of ‘conclusion’ as such - by Police, RoSPA and dare I say, many motoring just the summary - good and bad in a nutshell. organisations with speed leads to other aspects It would also be nice if for example you were a of road safety being ignored. There is no doubt bit more comparative. I got the impression the that the higher the speed the more dangerous and Nissan Leaf review was assessed against petrol/ devastating any accident will be but what about diesel cars rather than current electric-only cars, more effort to prevent the accident in the first of which there are very few. place? Similarly it would be nice if you gave the By tackling poor driving such as lane impression you had used the car thoroughly, discipline, weather-related actions, inconsiderate rather than cursorily. For example, my father-in- driving and ‘failure to make good progress’ then law (aged 82) bought the new Leaf in March. He the inexcusable incidence of speeding, by some, absolutely loves it, since for someone of ageing might be reduced. years with joints that aren’t so good, it is so For example, in poor weather why aren’t the easy. In terms of charge and range you failed to mostly useless information signs used to advise mention the issues/advantages. I love driving the drivers to turn their lights on or move to the left? Check out: highwaysengland.co.uk/staysafestayback/ car as it isn’t just swift as you describe, it’s also We have one near us that usually tells us it is wonderful for the stressful type of driving you two hours to Exeter - why? find in our major cities. Most of us just want to get to our destination One final thought: my father-in-law wants as safely, and yes, as quickly as possible. If the to go on holiday soon, and is already planning automatic detection and subsequent revenue charging stops - not easy when they are all so earning of cameras allowed the police to different and you have to get on the net to find concentrate on other duties, such as burglaries, out what to expect when you get there! It would then it could be justified, but clearly that is also be great to see your magazine look into this in not the case. more detail as it is likely to affect us all soon. Michael West Jeremy Bingham Thanks for this. Our experience suggests there Those Humble bare essentials is no ‘obsession’ with speed. Criticism of speed I enjoy your magazine and the articles and take enforcement comes regularly from all sorts of it to work where colleagues also read and enjoy sources, particularly the notion that someone >>

www.motoringassist.com 9 (continued) I’m sure of course that GEM members take all Feedback necessary precautions to avoid an incident, but this advice really needs to be aimed at a much >> who checks the speedo is somehow unable wider audience. to be observant of the road environment. We We have had first-hand experience in the past, know that driving within the speed limit is with a car hitting one of our horses. Fortunately not an automatic guarantee that we will be it was not fatal to the horse, but it took some safe and everyone around will be safe. And months for her to recover, following an injury to that’s why it’s so important to ensure you’re her right shoulder you could put your fist in. My aware of what’s going on all around you, and daughter was shaken but uninjured. can identify developing situations that may The majority of motorists simply do not require you to take action. Choosing safe, comprehend the damage that a horse can do to a legal speeds will help ensure you have time to car. I think if you were to publish photos similar make decisions and take whatever is the most to the attached, then it would bring home to appropriate action. Ed. them the danger of having their precious vehicle damaged or even written off. The state of the Big spenders? I don’t think so! car in the photo below (downloaded from the BHS website) is no exaggeration, it can and did Judging by the survey of spending habits in the happen in our accident. Autumn magazine, your car reviews seem to The drivers seem to think they are bulletproof, be aimed at a minority of your readers. Despite cocooned in the vehicle and as such can’t be most members buying used cars, only one bothered to slow down. Perhaps seeing this type review featured a used car, although I do accept of image might make them think again. that new car reviews can be a useful pointer to a Ken Toone future used car purchase. The average cost of the seven new cars featured was just over £28,000. Even taking into Thanks, Ken. As a rider myself, I am grateful account a reduction for a typical three-year-old for the consideration shown by the vast trade-in, for over half the members surveyed majority of drivers, which I always try to (those paying up to £10,000 for a replacement) acknowledge clearly and cheerfully. Any sort all but the Dacia would be outside their budget. of misunderstanding and conflict on the road is Given their quoted residual values, the featured always regrettable. Ed. Mitsubishi Shogun and Skoda Kodiak would not even be affordable to over half your readers as three-year-old used cars. So how about more used car reviews in future issues, and at least some less expensive or lower specification new car reviews. It looks like that would be of more use to your readers. Terry Morris

We will forward this to our road test editor for consideration. Thank you. Ed.

I read with interest your piece in the Autumn 2018 edition of Good Motoring, relating to safety around horses. As a member whose family has five horses, I can fully agree with the advice given in the article, but I have to wonder whether it is strong enough to register with the average motorist. Are you too close? Check out: highwaysengland.co.uk/staysafestayback/

A campaign has been launched to stop road’ speed merchants, trying to intimidate drivers on England’s roads from tailgating - other drivers to get out of their way. said to be one of the biggest bugbears for “But many of us could be tailgating motorists. unintentionally, by misjudging our speed and More than 100 people are killed or seriously the distance we need to stop safely. hurt each year in crashes caused by driving “The Highway Code says you should “allow at too closely to other vehicles, Highways least a two-second gap between you and the England says. And almost nine out of 10 vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving drivers say they have been tailgated, with traffic”. The two seconds are made up of the some left feeling “victimised”. time needed for thinking and stopping. And Highways England comments: ” We when it’s raining you need to at least double associate tailgating with aggressive, ‘own the that gap.”

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Holiday savings with your GEM membership If you’re planning a break, do make the most of the special discounts and savings we have negotiated for you...

AIRPORT PARKING FROM £3 PER DAY: Book a parking and hotel package at an APH-owned car park (Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester) for just £3 per day! Book and stay before the end of March 2019. Bookings must be made seven days in advance, and there’s a three-day minimum parking New Christmas Market charge. Any pre-agreed exclusive member discounts are taken off this at Blenheim Palace rate, making it even cheaper! So don’t miss out on the deal of the season! If you’ve never been to Blenheim perfect addition to a Christmas day Palace, then this could be the out at Blenheim Palace. CAR HIRE: Flexible Autos offers you perfect opportunity. That’s because Discover more than 80 individual discounts of up to 15%. Call 0800 25 the magnificent building will be chalets featuring handmade 45 101 (quote GEM Motoring Assist) transformed, both inside and out, British crafts, gifts by artisan local or visit motoringassist.com/carhire showcasing the biggest Christmas producers… and even Australian event to take place at the Oxfordshire Christmas Puddings. There is EUROPEAN BREAKDOWN: We World Heritage Site. New for 2018, something for everyone. recommend Euro Plus from P J the Palace’s Great Court will be Christmas at Blenheim Palace runs Hayman. It’s a great value policy transformed into a market village. from 23 November to 6 January, and offering complete peace of mind The new market extends from day admission costs from £18 for the while you are motoring on the into night, tempting you with a Light Trail through to £36 to include continent. More details in their remarkable range of festive Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Palace. advertisement on p65. shopping. Filled with a variety CAR HIRE EXCESS: Our cover means of hand-picked, if you are charged for damage to a irresistible gifts, hire car, you will be able to claim unique works by a reimbursement. Take a look at range of designers the website: motoringassist.com/ and tempting treats carhireexcess for foodies, it’s the

12 www.motoringassist.com Celebrate Star Wars at Disneyland Paris (12 January to 17 March)

Everyone has their own special confront the dark side of the force the Empire and the First Order. It’s a connection to Star Wars, and that’s with Darth Vader and Kylo Ren. totally unmissable experience. what makes it a truly legendary saga At dusk, the park will pay Prices for a two night/ three-day - whether it’s the intergalactic battles, spectacular homage to the Star Wars package start from £1,015 (based on the light sabres or the iconic music. So galaxy. There will be an amazing two adults and two children aged 3-11 from 12 January to 17 March, you can sound and light show, image sharing a Montana room at Disney’s celebrate your heroes and epic Star projections, special effects and of Sequoia Lodge) and include two Wars moments with the new season, course, the Star Wars characters. nights’ accommodation at Disney’s Legends of the Force – A Celebration Watch out for sequences inspired Sequoia Lodge, three-day park of Star Wars at Disneyland Paris. by the film Star Wars: The Last Jedi hopper tickets with unlimited access Legends of the Force is the perfect on the programme, including new to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney opportunity to immerse yourself in characters. For example, see the Studios Park and return travel with the heart of the Star Wars galaxy, faithful Resistance droid BB-8, who EasyJet to Paris Charles de Gaulle following in the footsteps of iconic will be making a first appearance. Airport from Luton airport. More characters such as Chewbacca, R2- But be careful, the dark side is never details from 08448 008 111 or visit D2 and C-3PO… whilst having to far away, with special scenes featuring disneylandparis.com. www.motoringassist.com 13 Editor’s choice (2) Driver assessment: the perfect Christmas gift You’ll be used to booking your car in for an MOT, so why not treat yourself – or a loved one – to a little safety check-up? The GEM Driver Assessment is a brilliant idea for a Christmas present, and you can save money when you complete one. Here’s how: if you are a GEM member and you take a Driver Assessment, we will give you a discount of up to £22.90 on your next membership renewal. If you are not a GEM member, you will receive a year’s FREE club membership (worth £22.90) when you have completed the Driver Assessment. In both circumstances, you simply need to send us a copy of your completion certificate and we will organise your discount. Your assessment will take about an hour, beginning and ending at a location convenient for you, at a time that suits you. Expect it to be relaxed and informal – remember it is not a test! Book online at roadar.org.uk or call our colleagues at RoSPA on 0121 248 2099. Autumn winners Well, this has to be the most sinister picture we’ve seen in this section for many a year! But congratulations to Derek Wragg, who sent us this edition’s winning photo. Derek wrote: “We had a choice of reading the magazine or looking at Lake Como in Italy. I chose the magazine... well, while the photo was being taken! It was a steep walk up to the church - but well worth it.” Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures, and sorry if you weren’t successful this time. Meanwhile if you’re heading anywhere out of the ordinary with this edition, then send a pic to [email protected]. If you’re the winner, you’ll get £50! Well done to Revd Maureen Young of Taunton in Somerset, who won the Autumn edition Orestone Manor short-break competition. Have a great stay!

Fishy New Year Scotland has long been with an authentic, Scottish renowned for its offering of Hogmanay celebration? You’ll seafood restaurants. The North look forward to traditional Atlantic waters around Oban, Scottish music, performed by warmed by the Gulf Stream, talented local musicians and deliver ideal conditions for enjoy a classic black bun and marine life – giving the area whisky dram at midnight. its title ‘the Seafood Capital of The three days of Scotland’. This festive season, celebrations include a four- Loch Melfort Hotel is offering course dinner, seven-course seasonal breaks complemented Hogmanay banquet and by Scottish seafood buffets – signature seafood buffet. The including crab, langoustines, break is priced from £505 per lobster and white fish. So how person for a three-night stay. about bringing in the New Year Details from lochmelfort.co.uk

14 www.motoringassist.com Best of British

Get your skates on!

Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival is Head, so you can skate away under a glide a little more gracefully across the back for another year at the Pier Head. clear canopy to keep you dry, with the rink! Minimum age for skaters is three. The covered outdoor ice rink is stunning Three Graces as a backdrop. Skating is available every day until situated on one of Liverpool’s best And if ice skating isn’t your forte, the 6 January. Check times and prices at known historic locations, the Pier penguin skate aids are back to help you icefestivalliverpool.co.uk Family Christmas at the Half-price car wash British Motor Museum Here’s your chance to reap the benefits of a simply superb car wash – and save yourself 50% into the bargain! That’s right, just choose from any of 260 IMO and ARC Car Wash sites across the UK – and follow these simple instructions: To activate the offer, just text GEM to 60333 or 07786 200 445 (cost per text is your standard rate, ranging from 3p to 8p). You will then receive a text reply with a 6 digit code. Show this code to the site operator at the time of visit to receive a 50% discount from the displayed Triple Foam Wash 3 price. What to expect from your IMO or ARC experience: On arrival, drive to the entrance of the car wash build- ing, where you will be greeted by a trained operator. Show the operator your text message code. The operator will then discount the displayed price for Wash 3 by 50%. Pay the operator, who will jet wash your vehicle, its tyres and wheel arches. Then you will move on to the conveyor for the automatic wash, wax and dry process. At the end of the wash, just drive away in your lovely clean and shiny car! n To find your nearest car wash site, visit Let the folks at the BMM help you get imocarwash.com into the festive spirit from Saturday 8 to Sunday 23 December with their family Christmas activities. Whether you are looking to escape the Christmas shopping or avoid the cold, the British Motor Museum has something for all the family. For example, Santa’s sleigh is broken and the reindeer have escaped – you can help Martin the Mechanic get the sleigh back on the road so Santa can deliver all your presents. At the end of the trail you will be rewarded for helping Santa with either a chocolate treat or Christmas gift. The Museum’s Christmas Elves will also be stopping by every day at 1:30pm to take families on a special festive family tour of the museum (britishmotormuseum.co.uk). www.motoringassist.com 15 Good Motoring competition

Win a two-night break in wild North Wales A warm welcome from Mark and Nicky Williamson, owners of the charming sixteenth-century West Arms near Llangollen

There are three things you can always be sure of original role as the country manor house of in North Wales: a warm welcome from the locals, landed gentry. The largest, Willow Suite, has a stunning natural scenery and fiendishly difficult super king sized bed, luxury roll-top bath and its to pronounce place names. Take Llanarmon own private lounge. Even the standard Classic Dyffryn Ceiriog for example; a tongue-teasing Rooms are generously appointed with ensuite village in the foothills of the scenic Berwyn bathrooms featuring walk-in showers, and offer Mountains which is home to The West Arms picture-postcard views out across the village. “The hotel’s Hotel and restaurant. This charming sixteenth- The hotel offers the perfect base from which owners are justly century country inn is the reward you’ll find at to explore the surrounding Welsh countryside, proud of the fine the end of a breathtaking drive through the whether by car, foot, mountain-bike or, for those reputation that unspoilt farmlands of the Ceiriog Valley, less of an equestrian disposition, by horse (Spring their restaurant than an hour from Snowdonia National Park. Hill stables nearby can arrange pleasant hacks). enjoys It boasts 16 characterful guest bedrooms, each Hikers will find Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall, decorated in a different style that pays homage officially the highest one in England and Wales, throughout to the hotel’s history. The Howard Room, where just a 45-minute drive away, whilst bird-watchers the region and I stayed, has an antique and very regal-looking can admire the red kites, kingfishers and rare beyond...” four-poster bed, as rightly befits the property’s birds of prey that frequent the area around

16 www.motoringassist.com For more details about the hotel, please visit thewestarms.com

Enter now! About the prize The prize is for two people sharing a double room at The West Arms for two nights (Sunday- Thursday, excluding Christmas, New Year and other holidays), with dinner on one evening and a bottle of house wine provided. Breakfast on both days is included. The prize must be redeemed by 30 October 2019.

ENTER NOW: Just answer this one question: Don’t risk missing out! How many guest bedrooms are there at The West You MUST put West Arms Competition in the subject line of Arms Hotel? your email entry. Terms and Conditions Please send an email, with your answer, to us at This promotion may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. Please [email protected] also note that some dates will not be available. This promotion is subject to our Please put West Arms Competition in the subject line of your email. standard competition terms and conditions, which you will find on our website (motoringassist.com/goodmotoring). Or write to us, enclosing an SAE to the Please also include your GEM membership number. Closing date is value of £1.95. In order to avoid any misunderstandings, we urge you to read the 31 January 2019. You can also enter by post (address on p6). terms and conditions carefully before entering the competition.

the local River Ceiriog. Golfing enthusiasts are from locally-foraged seasonal ingredients in its especially spoilt for choice with several quality cosy and rustically elegant dining room. courses virtually on the doorstep including the My evening began with a starter of smoked 130-acre Henlle Park Golf Course whose award- Ceiriog-reared rainbow trout served with a winning greens are built to USGA standards and delicious parfait quenelle. A tender fillet of offer year-round playability. mountain lamb from Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant After such vigorous outdoor pursuits (or, followed, accompanied by some very aristocratic in my case, merely thinking about them), vegetables supplied by Lady Kenyon of attention turns to matters of the stomach. Greddington. For dessert, I was tempted by the The hotel’s owners, husband and wife Mark exotic-sounding Chocolate Martini with tropical and Nicky Williamson, are justly proud of the marshmallow and caramel churros. However, fine reputation that their restaurant enjoys given where I was staying, not to mention my throughout the region and beyond. Chef Grant fondness for a nice bit of after-dinner cheese, Williams, who has made several appearances how could I not opt for good old Welsh Rarebit? on cookery programmes for the BBC and ITV, A nightcap of Pendragon red ale in front of the has regularly earned The West Arms a place in bar’s roaring log fire rounded off a perfect meal the Good Food Guide. As well as hearty Welsh in charming surroundings, enjoying the very breakfasts and classic afternoon teas, the best in Welsh hospitality. restaurant serves lunches and dinners sourced Russell Higham

17 www.motoringassist.com The RAF: keeping us safe... on the roads

There’s a great deal more to the RAF today than multi-million pound jets piercing the sky on daring combat missions. And because road collisions sit so high on its list of risks, there are sound reasons for a proactive approach, says Neil Worth

AS THE year draws to a close, we thought we now the question you’re asking is: “Well what would reflect on the summer just gone and the does all of that have to do with GEM and road opportunity to share an interesting day spent safety?” with the road safety team at RAF Coningsby, This is the very question we posed when the home of the world-famous Battle of Britain team from RAF Coningsby posted on Twitter Memorial Flight (BBMF). about a competition they had entered earlier in In 2018 the Royal Air Force celebrated the the year. Being curious types, we contacted them the number centenary of its formation as the world’s first to find out more. one“ non- independent air force. You may have seen the Today the Royal Air Force is deployed around amazing parade and flypast over London back the world looking after Britain’s interests, from operational in July and the other events held up and down Gibraltar to Cyprus to the Falkland Islands, risk to RAF the country. It was a chance to commemorate all but surprisingly the number one risk to RAF those who have served and those who gave their personnel (outside of operations) comes from personnel is lives, whilst also celebrating the 33,000 men road collisions. In 2014 six members of the RAF posed by road and women who are serving in the RAF today. died in this way. This led to the Mechanical collisions... Additionally, it could inspire the next generation Transport (MT) Flight at Coningsby developing through encouraging young people to take their road safety work which culminated in careers in science, technology and maths. them winning the Defence Road Safety Award All very interesting and also exciting, but by in 2016, and being runners-up in the RAF Rose 18 www.motoringassist.com” Safety partners

various units it houses. They have taken the traditional “3 Es” of road safety (Education, Enforcement and Engineering) and have added a fourth: Encouragement. Education takes the form of monthly campaigns that closely mirror national road safety activity (Christmas drink drive messages for example), and the offer of additional training (Bike Safe for motorcyclists, Pass Plus for new drivers). It also extends to the local community, including visits to local primary schools for cycle training and pedestrian safety. Nick Horner-Boyd said it was about safeguarding the community. “We want to make sure that everyone is safe on the roads, both inside and outside the camp. We are a big community, many with children attending the local schools. “Last year we organised basic vehicle maintenance sessions with Kwik Fit in Coningsby village, for staff, families and for the wider community.” The overall risk groups remain the same as those in the outside world and are familiar to anyone working in road safety: 17- to 25-year- old drivers (this includes a number of the Typhoon pilots), motorcyclists, cyclists and those who drive for work. The proactive approach means close liaison with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. New arrivals receive a safety induction briefing, those whose role involves driving get additional training. “It’s not unusual to find 18-year-olds driving vehicles they wouldn’t ordinarily be able Main pic: A BBMF Hurricane at RAF Coningsby. Above (from top): centenary march along the Mall; Cpl Nick to do, such as HGVs,”adds Nick. “Once trained Horner-Boyd and an MT Flight colleague; members of the they can use a Crown exemption.” GEM team at Coningsby. Below: a Douglas DC3 Dakota. Every vehicle in the Coningsby fleet gets a daily inspection from its driver to ensure everything is in working order. This is followed up by a weekly, monthly and then a quarterly inspection by members of the MT Flight who Bowl Award in 2017. check for damage, correct tyre pressures and As well as playing home to the BBMF, other items. Coningsby in Lincolnshire accommodates up to Under this regime vehicle damage has 5,000 personnel (RAF and civilian contractors) reduced, as has down-time, leading to a cost and is one of two RAF stations providing air saving to the taxpayer of more than £66,000 in

Pics: Martin Pope defence cover using Eurofighter Typhoon jets. the past two years. There’s a fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles, ranging Enforcement is again more than you would from lorries and cars through to aircraft tugs and think. It does involve the RAF Police making tankers, with approximately 3,000 drivers, all sure drivers and riders stick to speed limits looked after by the MT Flight. around the station, and park in the right places, On a sunny day in August a group from GEM but it also means holding people responsible for visted Coningsby to meet their road safety following the correct procedures with service people, Corporals Nick Horner-Boyd and Scott vehicles. Reynolds. The idea was to learn more about To top the day off we were taken across to their work and to look for ways of supporting the BBMF hangar where we were treated to a each other. tour of their historic aircraft. We watched the Scott said road safety had buy-in from the top. Lancaster’s engines being ground tested, and a “The Station Commander is passionate about Hurricane going through its paces in the skies looking after his people and sees road safety as above Lincolnshire. his number one priority to do that. We have had So what does the RAF have to do with two fatalities on the station in the past few years; road safety? A lot. After all, at the centre of both had a big impact on everybody.” everything it does is a team of people. From These incidents have helped lead to the pilots to caterers to engineers, they all play a development of a road safety culture at the vital role. Keeping them safe on the roads means station, with the input from personnel of all the they can keep the rest of us safe too. n 319 Game of phones

Mobile phone conviction rates for drivers are falling. But Samantha Jones doesn’t believe it’s because we’re all behaving...

WHEN IT COMES to safety, the statistics speak for themselves. You are four times more likely to have a collision when driving while using a mobile phone and twice as likely to crash while ‘text driving’ as you are drink driving. Just speaking on a mobile phone can produce a reaction time which is as slow as being at the legal blood alcohol limit in England (80mg/100ml of blood), according to the Transport Research Laboratory. A momentary lapse in concentration behind the wheel can have devastating and eventually two types of phone records are consequences. provided. The first is a traditional bill which lists The conviction numbers for this offence, known phone calls and texts. The second is a detailed as CU80, are falling and this can perhaps be the breakdown of data transfer applications. attributed to the introduction of tougher penalties “prosecution Daniel Wardle, a solicitor who specialises in last year. A conviction now carries six penalty motoring offences at Liverpool-based Caddick points and a minimum £200 fine, and newly must prove Davies, said he thinks police are being pressured qualified drivers will lose their licence if caught to raise the conviction rate and, as a result, are within two years of passing their test. the phone is charging drivers without enough evidence. In 2017, 10,724 people were charged with the in the hand “People are being charged with a CU80 offence offence but only 9,778 people were convicted, so when actually they may have been picking almost 1,000 charges were discontinued, or the of the driver the phone up from the footwell after it fell off defendant was found not guilty. and is being the dashboard cradle,” he said. “In one case I To be convicted, the prosecution must prove defended, the driver said it would have been more the phone is in the hand of the driver and is being used for an dangerous to leave it in the footwell than pick used for an ‘interactive communicative function’, ‘interactive it up. In this case, when the phone records were for instance texting, calling, using a satnav or investigated, a detailed breakdown revealed no changing music tracks. function...’ calls had been made. A witness summons is produced by a court “I defended a man who was accused by a police requesting mobile phone records from phone officer of a CU80 offence. The police officer was companies. The process can take a few weeks standing side-on to the driver with two lanes >> 20 ” www.motoringassist.com Dangerous distraction

21 www.motoringassist.com Game of phones Hands-free or hand-held: it doesn’t matter continued Well-respected research from Redelmeier and Tibshirani in 1997 identified that the risk of collision is 1.3 times higher if calls are made up to 15 minutes before a collision. This figure rises to 4.8 times higher if a call is placed within five minutes of the collision.Their study found no difference in accident risk between a hands-free and hand-held phone.

>> of traffic between him and the defendant’s Not seeing, not reacting car. Your reaction times are twice as long if you text and drive compared “However, it turned out the man had a very with if you drink drive. Your reaction times are three times slower if bad skin condition and had forgotten to apply his you use a hand-held phone. cream that morning, causing him to scratch his face constantly on his journey home. Not learning, not caring “Medical records backed up his story, and when In December 2017, following a Freedom of Information request, it the police officer was asked if it was possible the was reported that more than 6,000 people had been caught TWICE man had just been scratching his face rather than using their phones while driving in the previous four years. using a phone, the officer replied ‘yes’.” The case was dropped. The offence does not carry much of a social stigma currently, but it can levy a heavy financial HELP IS AT HAND burden. Some insurance companies won’t touch Apps and common sense designed to stop drivers people with CU80 offences while others charge reaching for their mobile while behind the wheel: huge premiums to insure CU80-endorsed drivers. We n Switch on your phone’s Do Not Disturb While Nine years ago, Gwent Police partnered with local Driving feature. If your device doesn’t have this, organisations to produce its COW campaign. It ”investigate put it in flight mode. is the fictional story of a teenage driver, Cassie every such n Romex MyFix is an app that uses the phone’s Cowan, who loses concentration while driving GPS system to detect when it’s travelling at 4mph and texting. The resulting collision leads to incident (6km/h) or faster and disables the screen. It’s used multiple deaths. The four-minute video received thoroughly by companies to stop their drivers using phones. worldwide acclaim for its hard-hitting content. n The Waze satnav app will send a message to Gwent Police, along with others across the UK and evidence whoever you are meeting at your destination if and Europe, are regularly involved in campaigns is presented traffic conditions change. Your contact will be to raise awareness of the issue. able to monitor your progress online when they A spokesperson for the force said the offence of to the court. use a link which has been sent by Waze. driving while using a phone “is very serious and n LifeSaver, available for iOS and Android a contributing factor to fatal and serious injury devices, uses a combination of GPS monitoring road traffic collisions. We investigate every such and a rewards system to help overcome distracted incident thoroughly and evidence is presented to driving. It blocks the phone while driving and the court.” can automatically alert others that you’ve arrived Perhaps the elimination of doubt about whether safely at your destination. An online ‘Driver a phone is being used while driving isn’t too far “ Portal’ gives access to parents or commercial fleet away in the UK. Speed-camera-style technology managers, and drivers can build up points and is now being used in the Australian state of New rewards. South Wales to detect and penalise people using n The AGENT app will inform someone trying to phones while driving. call you that you are driving. It will also read texts In the meantime, educational campaigns here aloud while you’re at the wheel. Other impressive in the UK can help. Keep an eye out for the non-driving features mean the phone syncs with enforcement operations overseen by TISPOL your diary and silences itself when you’re in a (the European Traffic Police Network) and the meeting. It also silences itself at night once you National Police Chiefs’ Council. key in your bed time. TISPOL president Paolo Cestra said: “Our week-long enforcement operation targets people who have chosen to ignore all the publicity about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving. We urge drivers to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of those around them on every journey by ensuring they do not use a phone. Take a look at GEM’s leaflet on driving and “In doing so, they will be reducing risk and mobile phones: motoringassist.com/leaflets helping to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Europe.”

22 www.motoringassist.com charity update Congratulations, Project EDWARD! The team delivering the ‘European Day Without A Road Death’ initiative is to be honoured with a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award

WE WERE delighted to hear the news that Project EDWARD is to receive a Prince Michael International Road Safety award. The judges thought the programme, developed and delivered by TISPOL, showed “a high degree of collaboration from a wide range of organisations working together across Europe”. Their recommendations were subsequently approved by Prince Michael himself. GEM, via the Charity, was the very first organisation to provide support for Project EDWARD when it was suggested by TISPOL as an initiative in 2016. TISPOL is the European Traffic Police Network, and coordinates a number of road safety enforcement and engagement operations across Europe through the year. For three years now, a specific day in mid September has been chosen as the target ‘EDWARD’ day. On average each day across Europe 70 people lose their lives in road collisions. Although no research has been carried out to link EDWARD’s activites with any reduction in road deaths, the three EDWARD days so far have delivered days well below the average. In 2016 and 2017, the figure was 43 deaths, while in 2018 it was 50. TISPOL president Paolo Cestra expressed the organisation’s gratitude to GEM and the Charity. “We were thrilled when GEM agreed to help get Project EDWARD off the ground in 2016 with a very generous grant,” he said. “As the initiative has grown, we have been able to expand our capabilities and the scope of our engagement with road users. We have ambitious plans for extensive awareness- raising activity for our 2019 efforts. In many ways, this is all happening because GEM believed in us at the start, and we will always be grateful for that. Thanks GEM!”

Support us via BT mydonate GEM members have been grateful. You can donate using generously supporting our the cut-out form on this Road Safety Charity for many page, or why not visit the years, and we are proud charity page of our website? of the many projects we This allows you to make an have been able to assist. If immediate donation using BT

you would like to mydonate. Every penny will GIFT AID: Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. Gift Aid is make a donation, be used to assist worthy road reclaimed by the Charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer. we would be very safety causes. Thank you! I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year, it is my responsibility to pay any difference. Visit: motoringassist.com/gemroadsafetycharity I would like to Gift Aid the above donation. www.motoringassist.com 1941 JOURNEY PLANNING LIGHTS RIGHT Planning a journey is really important See and be seen on during winter conditions. Ask yourself winter journeys. That these questions before leaving: means using dipped What conditions can I expect? headlights. Wet weather Check weather forecasts and any warnings makes glare worse, so be for your journey, both to and from your prepared to slow down. destination. If you really need to travel, Don’t rely on daytime and bad weather threatens, then try to running lights as they stick to main routes, and avoid exposed offer no rear lighting. roads or stretches that may not have been treated or cleared. Is my journey completely necessary? On days where bad weather is predicted, only essential travel is advisable, especially THE RIGHT KIT if you’re travelling in rural areas. Packing a hot drink What’s the best route? flask is essential Research your route well in advance of before a winter journey. leaving. There may be unexpected delays Also pack a torch, some or incidents that will affect your travel. food, a bottle of water, Build in plenty of extra time to complete a blanket, spare clothes, your journey. Consider leaving early if you an ice scraper and can, or waiting until the worst weather has de-icer. It makes sense passed through. to take some cash for What about the car? emergencies, too. Ensure you have filled up your fuel tank, your tyres are properly inflated, with plenty of tread, and that you tell someone when you’re leaving and what time you The GEM at-a-glance expect to arrive. WINTER SURVIVAL guide In just two pages we don’t expect to create a nation of winter driving experts, but a few common sense tips could make all the difference for your safety when bad weather threatens

COMMON WINTER HAZARDS EXPLAINED BLACK ICE Snow: different parts of the country have different expectations Watch out if road where snowfall is concerned, but the important thing to know is noise disappears that falling snow makes driving treacherous. Snow is defined as as it could be this clusters of ice crystals that fall from clouds. The snowiest place in thin coat of lethal, the UK is the Cairngorms in Scotland, with 76.2 days of snow or transparent ‘black ice’. Assuming your car sleet falling on average per year. Cornwall is the least likely to get has ABS, if you start to slide, then brake snow, with an average of only 7.4 days of snow or sleet falling. hard and keep braking - the car’s systems Sleet: drops of rain or drizzle which freeze into ice as they fall. will do the rest. If you don’t, then gently lift Fog: the easiest way to think of off the gas and keep the wheel straight. fog is as cloud that sits at ground level. It’s made of tiny water droplets suspended in the air. Freezing fog occurs when fog TURN BACK forms in temperatures that are Road signs are below freezing. The water droplets displayed for a remain as liquid until they come reason. Don’t put into contact with a surface, at yourself, your which point they freeze. vehicle and your Frost: it’s usual for frost to form on rescuers at risk clear, cold nights. Ground frosts by trying to get can occur without air frosts. through. Stay safe.

24 www.motoringassist.com KEEP LEGAL THIS WINTER TAKE A BREAK If you do venture out in winter conditions, then Fatigue seriously spend a few minutes ensuring your car is entirely free impairs your ability from snow and ice before you set off. to drive safely. What’s Although there is no specific rule stating that your more, driving in car must be free from snow, there is legislation winter conditions will requiring that if driving in adverse weather, you must exhaust you much be able to see out of every glass panel in the vehicle. more quickly. So don’t Driving with a build-up of snow on your car’s take any chances. roof means you could be liable to a fine for driving Watch out for tell-tale without due care (£100 fine and signs such as yawning, three points - or up to nine if you fidgeting and losing cause a collision), or using a motor concentration. vehicle in a dangerous condition. Part of your journey It’s also an offence to leave planning should be to your engine running if you’re build in breaks of at parked on a public road. least 15 minutes after every two hours or 100 miles of driving. SLOWLY AND GENTLY DOES IT n Pull off in second gear, using a minimum of power. This will help avoid wheel spin. Use low revs and get into a higher gear as soon as possible. n Ensure you keep a safe following distance, bearing in AQUAPLANING mind that stopping distances can increase tenfold on can occur when a layer snowy and icy surfaces. of water builds up n Plan any uphill driving carefully. Leave enough space between your tyres in front so that you can keep a constant speed without and the road surface. If the need to change gear. Use a low gear to go downhill. you sense your car may be aquaplaning, hold the wheel straight and gradually ease off the accelerator.

STAY TUNED WITH WEATHER AND TRAFFIC Serious winter weather usually makes the headlines GEM’s free winter driving eBook is available and TV news in this country. Even if you’re not expecting a full-on blizzard or hurricane, it does at motoringassist.com/winter-driving/ make sense to check weather forecasts on radio, television or online. After all, you can then be forewarned about strong winds, fog or heavy rain VEHICLE CHECKS as well as more severe meteorological conditions. Get the battery and charging You can get updates from trafficengland.com, system checked to ensure traffic-wales.com, trafficscotland.org and best performance. A number trafficwatchni.com. Up-to-the-minute traffic of winter calls to GEM’s information is usually available via your local BBC breakdown control centre radio station. relate to flat batteries. Cold If you’re heading overseas, check road traffic and weather puts a lot of strain on weather conditions using viamichelin.co.uk. a tired battery, so consider changing it now to avoid the distress of a breakdown. If your battery seems to be turning over more slowly than usual, get it checked straight away. Similarly, if the red battery warning symbol illuminates on the dashboard, do get the battery checked. Ensure your car’s cooling system has the correct levels of anti-freeze, which is vital to prevent the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing. GEM recommends you consult your local dealer or a qualified mechanic to ensure this is done correctly. www.motoringassist.com www.motoringassist.com 25 Movable feasting

Breakfast is served... The first stretch of the M1 motorway opened in 1959, as did the very first service area at Watford Gap. Hurrah, we all shouted... a new era in motoring... we can have more family outings... we can complete business trips more quickly... we can go further and faster... and we can break our journeysIf you’ve everwith worried delicious about roadside safety feasting. around Nearlyhorses 60then years GEM on, Sandraand the Macdonald-Ames British Horse Society takes have a little some tour sensible of today’s advice service areas, and reflects on what’s improved and what’s still wrong with the whole motorway break experience...

26 www.motoringassist.com 27 www.motoringassist.com Movable feasts

THE YEAR 2019 will see the 60th anniversary of the opening of the M1, our very first motorway. On the same day back in 1959, Watford Gap services threw open its doors, offering meals, snacks, shopping and toilets to weary travellers, in the process heralding a brand new era in motoring. Cars were more accessible for families, who suddenly found it was feasible to travel further afield, further than many had ever been. Services were initially located between junctions, each having its own slip roads for visitors to enter and leave. As service areas continued to spring up, the way was paved for an increase in operating companies to develop new sites, and brands such as Blue Boar, Pavilion, Rank and Take a Break became commonplace. Part of my research brief was to head to several services and tuck in to a good service station fry-up (maximum spend £10) on each visit. As lukewarm and not very appetising? someone who drives around 60,000 business You will be pleased to know that it was miles a year, I am more than familiar with service with an open mind that I set off on my stations. But to be honest I have never really paid task. Within a week I had visited 10 service very much attention to what’s on offer. For me stations in the Midlands, South and South- they have really been just somewhere to park West. You would think by the end of the up, have a quick nap, grab a coffee and head off week that I would not only be somewhat again. Undoubtedly calling at some sites has jaded, but also a great deal heavier. been a pleasure, while at others it has been a But you would be mistaken. That’s right. I penance. The idea of getting a “sit-down” meal at could not actually buy a fry-up as I couldn’t service stations has not occurred to me for many find one on any menu. There are now just years. After all, aren’t the meals all overpriced, four main companies who own the UK’s network of rest stops, with every site clearly built on a tried and tested formula. They contain a combination of big brand names including high end supermarkets, fast food outlets, a newsagent and coffee bars. Bacon, egg, beans and a fried slice? I couldn’t find this fare anywhere. However, a quiet revolution has been taking place in the countryside, and a few services are trying to break the mould and change that format. Tebay service area on the M6 in Cumbria was set up by John and Barbara Dunning, farmers looking to diversify and offer local produce to customers. Such has been their success that their firm, Westmoreland, opened Gloucestershire services - that looks to me like it was once the Tellytubbies set! The buildings are bright and airy inside, with landscaped grounds, a lake and even meeting pods... so it becomes almost a destination rather than just somewhere to call in for a wee. So it was here that I finally managed to spend £10. For that I received a large bowl of fresh vegetable soup, roll and butter, large cherry muffin and a bottle of fizzy drink. It really was far more enjoyable than a full English. Really! Gloucestershire services has become

28 www.motoringassist.com WHAT THE SURVEY SAID of glass, with high ceilings and comfortable pods n The research group Transport Focus spoke to 9600 customers. and booths. Multi-million pound investments such n Although Norton Canes came top, with a 100% rating, the biggest as the recent £5m at Strensham on the M5 are improvement was made by Stafford South, up from 70% in 2017 to taking place to convert tired old 70s buildings into 99% in 2018. inviting and relaxing spaces. n 24% of visitors said they arrived at a service area in a tired, stressed Aside from the above, do we fully acknowledge or frustrated frame of mind. This was reduced to just 5% when the benefits of these places? Motorways are leaving to go back on the road. This highlights the beneficial impact our safest type of roads in terms of collisions that a good motorway services experience can have on driving but only if we respect them. They are seriously standards and road safety. monotonous; it is estimated that a third of all fatal n 66 per cent of visitors thought the food or drink available to eat in collisions are as a result of someone falling asleep the services was value for money at the wheel. We need to recognise the early signs Check out the full report at www.transportfocus.org.uk of fatigue such as finding ourselves yawning, opening the window for fresh air, becoming fidgety or messing with the radio. Everyone has one of my favourite stops. And I am not alone. a different warning sign, but the trick is to act on Every year a league table of motorway services is it early, as there is no way of dealing with fatigue published, based on customer reviews. In 2018 other than proper rest. Norton Canes on the M6 Toll received 100 per ...it becomes I have, like many, been guilty of knowing it’s cent customer satisfaction levels, while Thurrock a destination time for a break, then continuing past a service on the M25 ranked lowest of the 111 sites, with a “ area for one reason or another (maybe I’m just 68% customer satisfaction rating. rather than keen to press on, maybe my favourite brand of What was noticeable while travelling was the somewhere coffee is at the next area, 10 miles away). It seems design changes happening at some of the stops. that the operating companies are by and large I can remember service areas containing cheap, to call in for listening to their customers and providing more hard plastic tables and chairs, with red and white a wee... choice and better quality. As drivers, we should check plastic tablecloths. But they have mostly be making the effort to stop and relax for a little been consigned to memory. In their place have while on a long journey. After all, our safety really come colourful, light open spaces containing lots ” does depend on it. n

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completely disappear. But in the absence of a motoring magic wand, the next best thing could A glimpse be Traffic Jam Assist. To be found on some of the newer Volkswagen into the Touareg SUVs, this technology is a combination future of their Lane Assist function and Adaptive Cruise Control. When these two innovations join (continued) forces, they’re able to track and keep up with the traffic ahead, accelerating and slowing down as on foot and the pedestrian waves the car on, the appropriate whilst staying in lane throughout. technology will know it can accelerate and make Other manufacturers have already launched progress. However, if state-of-mind AI lives up to similar functionality on advanced models, but expectations, it could be a crucial part of making expect to see this on an increased number of a world with autonomous vehicles as safe as vehicle ranges as the technology advances and possible: nothing short of revolutionary. You, the gets cheaper.

V2X “driver, have Driver Wellbeing Over the last few years, connected cars have not been Don’t worry: you, the driver, have not been become big business. Vehicles have in recent forgotten in the 2019 in-car tech revolution. You years been mainly hooked up to a network for forgotten will be taken care of too. remote control, mapping, traffic information, in the 2019 Already we have driver alertness monitoring, music, software updates and more. In the industry, in-car tech otherwise known as drowsiness detection. In the it’s called V2N (vehicle to network). future, the industry wants to make things even It’s all about to get a lot more exciting - and revolution... safer by keeping an eye on you in new ways. One potentially much safer - in 2019 as we see school of thought is that it’ll be commonplace to significant developments in V2V (vehicle to find sensors placed in the steering wheel and the vehicle), V2P (vehicle to pedestrian), V2D seat, monitoring your heart rate – and perhaps (vehicle to device) and other connections. Let’s other vital signs – warning the driver or even wrap all of this up in the automotive umbrella taking appropriate action if a high level of stress term V2X: vehicle to everything. is detected. Some car makers have experimented One of the challenges hasn’t been the ” with this already. technology – it’s the race between manufacturers It’s not all about safety, though: some to have the edge over their competitors and push manufacturers see this as part of creating a their brand of connected technology as a major ‘smart cockpit’ with a highly-adapted, highly- selling point. However, the road safety and traffic personalised environment, just for you. efficiency benefits are only going to be seen when There’s the paradox, right there: all this the big car makers get together. In 2018, that was innovation, comfort, safety and enjoyment for the certainly happening. driver, only for the industry to remove the driver In July, BMW and Ford worked with the when fully autonomous vehicles come along. 5G Automotive Association to carry out an Perhaps in the future that’s further down the impressive live demonstration of C-V2X road than some would have us believe, and there technology, which can most easily be described as could after all be space for human-driven and vehicles communicating with everything through autonomous vehicles together on the roads. n cellular networks, via connected infrastructure or directly with each other. Below left: Progressive assist systems on the VW Touareg; Right: Intention and awareness are measured by Hyundai with Perceptiva Aurtomota. Bottom: testing for V2X - vehicles to everything. What does this all mean for driving? The main answer is that it could make the roads a much safer place to be. The demonstration showed off no fewer than six types of warning, all designed to help protect road users in different situations: potential intersection collisions, turning across traffic, slow and stationary vehicles, potential traffic signal violations, emergency braking and – perhaps most notable – vulnerable road users. The technology being tested right now, which we’ll see and hear much more about in 2019, could be potentially life-saving on a large scale.

Traffic Jam Assist If you asked motorists for their top five driving dislikes – or perhaps even their very top one – it would be traffic jams. Of course, the preferred technology would be something to make them

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Day after day, month after month, to take to the track and sit in the year after year I had longed to driving seat of a thoroughbred have one, writes Paul Caddick. racing motor, even if it was only a My parents, and for that matter, toy, driving on plastic, powered by my siblings, could have been electricity and steered around the forgiven for thinking they had course by a fixed slot. some weird new form of tinnitus To me, at the age of nine, it was as I asked, begged and whined driving for real, or at least the involuntarily for the opportunity closest I was likely to get. >>

www.motoringassist.com 35 the level of decoration that is the big difference, << Building Success which is all down to labour. As soon as you have But the story really starts more than 60 years to assemble or decorate, it becomes hard to be ago in 1957, when Bertram ‘Fred’ Francis competitive in the UK.” invented Scalextric and launched it at the annual It is this decoration and attention to detail Harrogate Toy Fair. Since then, Scalextric has as much as the thrill of racing that has always become synonymous with slot car racing the defined Scalextric, and helped it develop, whether world over and is well established as a famous aerodynamics or working headlights, and even British institution among children and adults alike. ‘magnatraction’ to mimic downforce to keep cars Throughout its history, the sets have evolved to on the track at higher speed. become even more technical and life-like, a trend Refusing to stay stuck in one track, the company sure to continue – its popularity is surprisingly evolved. In 2004 it even embraced the very digital undiminished. world that many believed would have killed it Its roots actually date back to 1952, when a small off long before. Now you can have multi-car company called ‘Minimodels Ltd’ introduced a racing with lane changing functions, all through range of metal-bodied model racing cars, which phone apps, whilst you can also set up to race contained a unique type of clockwork motor under internationally through the internet, a global the trademark ‘SCALEX’. By the mid 1950s, community of racing on-line. the models were modified to take small electric Its roots motors and the ‘Scalextric’ brand (‘SCALEX’ - Discovering Life “actually date Electric ‘TRI’)) was born. It’s a long way from Christmas 1976 but to Production began in earnest in 1957 in me, what I unwrapped that morning was just back to 1952, Hampshire, England, and 1960 saw the as exciting and cutting edge. My older brother, when a small introduction of the plastic range of cars. Through instead of getting some of his larger friends to the years such companies as Tri-ang and Rovex sit on me or generally abuse me as per normal company have owned Scalextric, and in 1971 production in our life-long love-hate relationship, actually called moved, alongside Hornby trains, to Westwood, discovered that one of his more affluent friends Margate. More recently, it took the inevitable was willing to offload a set that was past its use-by ‘Minimodels journey to China during the 1990s under the name date (football and girls being far more appealing Ltd’ Hornby Plc. While this dismayed many, it allowed and exciting). So he tipped off my parents. For this for even greater detailed models of the real thing single act of selflessness, I could almost forgive introduced without a rise in price. him all human rights crimes he and his associates a range of The relocation cost UK jobs. “It was a turbulent had visited upon me – the price was right and it time,” admits Jamie Buchanan, a veteran of really was Christmas. metal-bodied Hornby Hobbies and Scalextric, whose father As I ripped open the wrapping, I could almost was also one of those made redundant at the time. hear the roar of the engines and feel the unbridled model racing “There was a lot of flak from our customers about horsepower trying to escape the large cardboard cars... selling off the business. But once they started box, fantastically illustrated with Grand Prix to see the product and realise that for the same heroes tearing around a track mid-race. OK, amount of money they were getting more than it wasn’t the latest version with the gold and they used to, they understood the benefit. It is black livery of the JPS Lotus or blood red of 36 www.motoringassist.com” the prancing horse Ferrari, but it made no difference. The non-marqued narrow- wheeled late ‘60s racers were the start of a brave new world, a world that principally revolved around my bedroom floor for hour upon hour, day upon day and year upon year –at nine I was an instant junkie, but I had my running fix. And it wasn’t just me - every one of my five brothers and sisters suddenly developed an interest. Competitions raged, there were calls for stewards’ inquiries, and of course the inevitable tizzy fit when the car would sooner or later fly off the track at the furthest extremity of the circuit (still one of the most annoying aspects of playing Scalextric). But they combined to deliver a sure way of instilling discipline into my driving style. friendly competition became a bitter shouting It is still relatively hard to meet any chap over match... such is the level of electric passion I remain a 35 who doesn’t have a fond memory of this world involved. There’s even the ‘pimp my ride’ style of of racing. Not just that, but it is, and always has souping up cars, with modified engines, wheels, fan, maybe been, as popular with adults as with children. I steering... well everything and anything in the I don’t want can remember my father returning from working pursuit of greater speed. Specialist suppliers can on a client’s expensive yacht with photos of a six- help, as can the talk shops and forums, though to grow up, lane Scalextric track set up in its own permanent many would say a doctor and psychiatrist would or maybe it ‘racing’ room on board. probably be more useful. remains a In Good Company The Home Straight creation that John Surtees, the former world champion racing No longer is it about re-enacting the weekend’s driver, speaking during Scalextric’s 50th birthday full-size motor racing events – it is the motor spans the celebrations, described how Scalextric had been racing and it is the event. ages... an instant hit. Being able to go home and re-enact Whether it has any lasting benefit on full-size, what you had just witnessed at the weekend, but real-life driving, or whether it can help in teaching in the comfort of your own home, gave it an edge. people the basic mechanical driving skills or road Unlike your electric train set, or even television, safety awareness is anyone’s guess. Jenson Button it was competitive, glamorous, hip and current in his recent autobiography credited his obsessive (pardon the pun). After all, stars of the track, playing of it as “probably the first time I began screen and stage were all seen getting involved, to grasp the dynamics of racing,” adding that he even the Beatles. It allowed us mere mortals first started to learn about racing a car rather than ” to step into a different world of dreams and simply moving it from point A to point B. “it ambitions, whilst remaining competitive and fun wasn’t just about getting on the accelerator and for all age groups. Apart from the cost, it knew no reaching a top speed. You had to know when to lift social or class boundaries. off and when to get back on.” As Surtees said: “I had just won my first I remain a fan. Maybe I don’t want to grow world championship with motorcycles when up, or maybe it remains a creation that spans the the first Scalextric came out. When I joined the ages, but I’m looking forward to clearing space motor-racing world in 1960, it was already well on the floor and setting up my son’s, and echoing established. I used to be at events with the likes of Jenson’s words: “Scalextric. I bloody loved Jim Clark and Graham Hill, and often there would Scalextric.” be occasions when there was Scalextric set up, so I wish this piece of plastic fantastic a slightly we’d fight our battles off the track as well as on it. belated, but full-throttle happy birthday. n Motorsport is something that’s very much part of the heritage of Great Britain, and this is practically and irrevocably linked to the sport, both benefiting each other.” This great British institution has graced the floors of millions of bedrooms worldwide. Over the 60 years, its format has hardly changed. More than 20 million cars have been sold to race around more than three million miles of track. There are clubs all over this country as well as internationally, filled with ‘slot car heads’ of all ages and backgrounds trying, and believing, they can go faster than the next person. For 15 years there were annual races against drivers from France and Belgium, but in 2005 they ended when www.motoringassist.com 37 Pretty Picardy and its blooming roses

Don’t just thunder through on your way to another part of Europe, urges Alan Wakely. Marking the centenary of the end of World War 1, he suggests some worthwhile stopping

HAVE YOU EVER taken your car on the the merit of being easy to get around: besides the continent via Calais? From the port, if you head three main north-south motorways, it is crossed south on the autoroutes A1, A16 or A26, you east-west by a fourth, the A29, which can be will drive through Picardy, even though you very useful for tourists. may not realise it, en route to the Alps, the Côte d’Azur, Italy or Iberia. A clue is provided on Senlis and Chantilly parts of the motorway central reservation, which Senlis is quite a small town, with a tight network have been planted with roses in honour of the of ancient cobbled streets at its heart, which Wait for the WW1 song Roses of Picardy. More to the point, really invite exploration, especially on market the area is well worth a visit in its own right. day, when the rows of stalls seem to run off squeals“ of The official area of Picardy covers the three in whatever direction you look. The shops French departments of Oise, Aisne and Somme, are as interesting as the stalls; mostly small delight as which is a very large area including many independent businesses with the kind of items they spot the important towns like Amiens, Beauvais, St. for sale that can hardly ever be found in multiple Quentin, Laon and Compiègne to name but stores. There is a cathedral too – but these seem Château... a few. Whole guide books have been written to pop up in almost every town in Picardy. about the district, so I have to be selective here! Leave Senlis by the Chantilly road, and make Picardy is certainly easy to reach, but it also has sure that you have a passenger glued to the 38 www.motoringassist.com” French leave

have recommended this is in an earlier Good Motoring article. But only about 600 metres before you reach the WW1 memorial there is a small car park on the right, adjacent to an idyllic étang (“pond” in French – but actually a small lake) – an ideal spot for a picnic, and a taster of the wonderful afforested country to the south. The main road to Pierrefonds through the cool of the forest is lovely on a hot day, but perhaps even better is the minor road through Vieux- Moulin, with more étangs to sit beside. Go one way and come back the other, perhaps, but don’t miss Pierrefonds, a little town dominated by a spectacular castle rebuilt by Napoléon III on one side, and delightful lake on the other. There are plenty of eateries, too! Laon To the north-east of Picardy lies Laon, another place that deserves to be better known. Its large 11th century cathedral sits on top of a hill surrounded by flat lands, making it very obvious to drivers on the A26 – but too few stop off! The old city surrounds the cathedral on the hill, commanding stupendous wide views, especially to the north towards Belgium. There are narrow winding cobbled streets, and lots of small shops and restaurants to explore. The road to the top is steep (very!), and there is little parking up there, so most people, locals and tourists alike, take the funicular from the lower town. This is quite exciting, climbing sharply through the houses, with different views through each gap. It is one of the oldest funicular railways in France, and one of the original cars is preserved and on Main pic: Laon city wall and cathedral. display near the lower terminus. From top: the castle at Pierrefonds; Senlis; crêpes Once a year, Laon hosts Europe’s biggest with crême Chantilly and (tinned?) fruit salad. classic car rally, drawing thousands from far and wide to watch the elderly cars make circuits of the city, including, of course, the famous hill left-hand side windows once you have gone Ralentissez, climb from the railway station to the market through Courteuil. Then wait for the squeal of mes amis square. If you’re around, don’t miss it. delight! In a short gap in the hedgerow, as the Changes to French road crosses what appears to be a bridge, they motoring laws Le Crotoy and St Valéry-sur-Somme will have spotted a quite magnificent panorama earlier in the My final “Rose” is on Picardy’s only stretch of of the Château de Chantilly from a high vantage summer included coast. It is the bay of the Somme. The villages of a reduction in point. Stop for photographs – and then go on speed limit from Le Crotoy and St Valéry lie facing one another down the hill into Chantilly itself, a town of 90 to 80km/h across the estuary and are both magnets for open spaces, with its famous racecourse running on ‘secondary’ ornithologists because of the huge variety of right down into the centre, and an equestrian roads. The French waterfowl in the rivermouth. Both offer wide museum to explore, before perhaps crêpes for government claims panoramas from their waterside promenades. tea (with crême Chantilly, naturellement). the reduction could I think I have a slight preference for St Valéry, save up to 400 lives per year, as well but they are both very attractive – and both have Compiègne and Pierrefonds as lead to fewer good seafood restaurants. Staying in the south of Picardy, another beautiful serious injuries. If you visit during the summer, the best way road links Compiègne and the much smaller The new limit will to see this delightful estuary is from a carriage and ultra-picturesque town of Pierrefonds. only apply on two- on the preserved steam railway which links the Compiègne is a quite substantial place and way roads with no two villages together, with surprisingly low fares makes a good base for exploring this part of central reservation. for a “heritage line”. The views from the road These roads alone the region. The major attraction in town is the account for half are sometimes restricted by an embankment, but palace built for Louis XV. The staterooms can of all fatal traffic those from the train are uninterrupted. be visited, and there is also, rather surprisingly collisions in France. Why not make Picardy a stop on your next within the castle complex, a motoring Dual carriageways journey into France? I hope the “Roses” I have museum. Many visitors to Compiègne go to and motorways will described may whet your appetite, but there are the forest clearing outside the town where the be unaffected. so many more to be discovered. n armistice at the end of WW1 was signed. I Next time, Alan explores the Lincolnshire Wolds. 339 GEM Member? Put our HOME INSURANCE to the test... GEM has partnered with Shield Total Insurance to bring you competitive premiums and great personal service WIN 1 Get a quote today for your * chance to WIN £250 in our £250 Free Prize Draw! 2 Enjoy FREE Home 1 Year’s Emergency Cover Free HOME when you purchase EMERGENCY Cover 3 Wide choice of † cover options: GEM ✔ Up to £1 million buildings cover ✔ Up to £150,000 contents cover MEMBERS ✔ All policies on a New for Old basis ONLY ✔ Cover available for garages and outbuildings on your land ✔ Optional Key Protection from £12 pa For your instant quote call us FREE on: 0800 975 0876

* Prize draw T&Cs apply - please visit www.shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/gem/gem-home-insurance/. Prize draw offer closes 31/12/2018 † T&Cs apply: Customer must purchase a household insurance policy with Shield Total Insurance. One free Home Emergency cover per policy. You must be a UK resident. Free Home Emergency cover is available for 1 year only and is non-refundable. Cancelling your household insurance policy mid-term will automatically discontinue Home Emergency cover. Home Emergency cover is provided by ARAG plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm No. 452369. Cover will not be included automatically in your following year’s renewal. Shield Total Insurance arranges Household Insurance on behalf of GEM members. Shield Total Insurance is a trading name of Vantage Insurance Services Limited ("VISL"). VISL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. VISL is registered in England No. 3441136. Registered Office: 5th floor, 41 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DT. GEM770-10/17 Russell Higham’s TOUR OF INSPECTION Russell Higham’s TOUR OF INSPECTION

Imagine for a moment that you are the owner of a business churning out tubular rings of black rubber. You need somehow to make your product glamorous and at the same time find a way of getting your customers to buy more of them. That was the quandary facing André and Édouard Michelin (pictured right) when they started their eponymous tyre company in the French Auvergne at the end of the nineteenth century. Back then, there were fewer than 3000 cars in the whole of France and the only place you could buy petrol was from a chemist’s shop. The a detour” and three for “worth a special journey”) brothers needed a way of encouraging the can represent the pinnacle of a chef’s career and few motorists there were to ‘burn more completely change the fortune of a restaurant. rubber’, but in an enjoyable way. So they Gordon Ramsay admitted to having cried when his New York eatery was stripped of its two stars hit upon the idea of seeking out the best for ‘erratic’ food quality. He claimed it was “like restaurants and hotels in the country and losing a girlfriend…or the Champions League”! cataloguing them for their customers to Surprisingly, the criteria for getting (or losing) drive out and discover for themselves.... a star are fewer than you might think. To protect their anonymity, inspectors are strictly banned from talking to journalists. But Rebecca Burr, Initially given out for free, the 400-page guide editor of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and proved so popular that in 1920 Michelin started Surprisingly Ireland and Michelin Guide London, reveals: “The charging seven francs a copy to fund the hiring ‘‘the criteria most important thing is the quality and consistency of full-time inspectors to make anonymous visits of the food on the plate. Value also comes into it, and to assess and grade more establishments. The for getting and offering poor service certainly wouldn’t help, decision to put a price on the book’s red cover (or losing) but what the inspectors are really looking for are was also spurred by André’s visit to a mechanic’s quality ingredients used extremely well.” garage where, much to his indignation, he saw a a star are The typical Michelin inspector will each year workbench being propped up by multiple copies fewer than travel more than 18,000 miles, staying at 160 of the guide, leading him to conclude that “people you might different hotels and rating 250 meals (lunch and only respect what they pay for”. dinner) in the search for establishments to include These days, Michelin Guides are published in think... in the guide. Rebecca Burr continues: “Eating in more than 25 countries and are internationally restaurants for a living sounds like a great way recognised as the ultimate benchmark of a nation’s of life, and in many ways it’s the best job in the cuisine. The award of one or more of their famous world. But it’s extremely hard work and you are stars (one means “worth a stop”, two mean “worth away from your family for long periods of time. “You have to be totally committed to the job and passionate about great food and helping other ” people find it as well. It can be pretty lonely at times, but a lot of the inspectors enjoy the whole process of travel and motoring, so it can be a labour of love. On top of that, they don’t always eat alone. They might meet up with family or friends – or each other occasionally.” New restaurants are often suggested for inclusion in the Guide by members of the public. Since 1929, Michelin has sought readers’ opinions by way of a questionnaire printed at the back of its Guide. These days, they receive more than 45,000 letters, emails and recommendations on Twitter and through their own dedicated smartphone app of worthy eateries to be investigated. The inspectors, nearly all of whom are former chefs

42 www.motoringassist.com biases do not influence an inspector’s assessment of an establishment, as Rebecca Burr emphasises: “One of our absolute priorities is to make sure our standards are consistent wherever we publish a guide. The food offer in Tokyo may be completely different from the food offer in, say, Birmingham, but the standards we apply and the judgements we make have to be consistent. “One of the ways we achieve that is to make sure inspectors spend a significant amount of time in different territories, learning from each other. So they certainly put in the miles.” Whilst the inspectors themselves shun all publicity, there is one character associated with the Guide who is more than happy to be instantly recognised all around the world, and that is the Michelin Man. His real name is Bibendum — from the Latin phrase nunc est bibendum, meaning “now is the time to drink” and he is the pneumatic bon vivant whose rotund happy face features in all of Michelin’s global advertising and branding. He was conceived in 1894 when the Michelin brothers were exhibiting their newly-invented or hotel and catering professionals, book, eat and pay for their meals entirely incognito. Unlike food critics, they do not make any notes whilst at the table nor do anything that might lead to them being served food that is in any way different from that which a regular customer would receive. Only once they have paid for their meal will they, if necessary, identify themselves as a Michelin inspector in order to ask the chef questions about ingredients or cooking style. It is at this point, surely, that the heart of any serious restaurant professional will be firmly in the mouth, frantically going back over every dish they have sent out from the kitchen that day and wondering which ones made it to the inspector’s table. However, Phil Howard (pictured bottom left), a renowned British chef who has held many stars during his illustrious career, including a new one awarded just this year for his London restaurant, Elystan Street in Chelsea, holds a more relaxed view: “There is no point in my cooking to impress a Michelin inspector,” he says. “I wouldn’t recognise them anyway, they do a pretty effective job of trying to stay anonymous. So I have to make sure that my food reaches the same high level every time, whoever is eating it. I feel that, detachable tyres at an exhibition rather than having purposefully set out to get a in Lyon. On their stand was a stack of tyres of Michelin star — however great and desirable that different diameters, all wrapped in white paper is for a chef — I’ve got it as the by-product of as was the custom those days in the automotive doing a good job.” industry. Édouard Michelin noticed that the stack It is this approach to cooking that the Guide is resembled a rather portly looking man, fond of ultimately seeking: the idea that whoever you are, his food and drink, and commissioned French whenever you visit the restaurant, whatever table cartoonist Marius Rossillon (who drew under the you sit at and whichever dish you order, your pen name O’Galop) to develop the idea into an meal will be of the same consistently high quality advertising poster. And from there Bibendum was day after day. An inspector might visit the same born and lives to this day, enjoying his life of fine restaurant several times on different occasions dining in some of the best restaurants and hotels before deciding whether to select it for a star. It the world has to offer, all as recommended in his is also imperative that personal tastes or regional famous Michelin Guide. n 43 www.motoringassist.com WINTER ON THE ROAD ROAD TESTS More and more premium car makers are bringing pure electric vehicles to the market. One of the most eagerly anticipated has to be the Jaguar Jaguar I-Pace 45 I-Pace, the British brand’s answer to the Tesla Model X. It’s a landmark car 54 VW Golf R Estate for Jaguar, and gives the company a headstart on rivals such as the new Audi e-tron and the Mercedes-Benz EQC, two more premium-badged 54 Hyundai Santa Fe electric SUVs which will arrive in a showroom near you during 2019. Is the 58 Honda Civic I-Pace a Tesla-beater, and can an electric vehicle be a true Jaguar? If you’d like to find out, Sue Baker has the answers, starting on the opposite page. 60 Audi Q3 David Motton 62 Peugeot Rifter HOW WE RATE OUR CARS...

plus: An exceptional car and a clear class-leader. A very good car, among the best of its kind. 48 4x4 triple test Good, but not outstanding. An average car. 52 Ask the experts Below average. A car with flaws, or which lags behind most rivals. 56 Used Ford Fiesta A very poor car. Best avoided. 66 Festive drinks for drivers

The new Hyundai Santa Fe is well equipped A CAUTIONARY TALE but expensive, says Davids Motton. Jerry Johns of Worcester wrote to the head of Welcome Break Group, following this recent disturbing experience on a motorway journey: I write to make you aware of a potentially dangerous outcome following my visit to the BP filling station on the northbound M40 Warwick Services on 18 September. Having stopped for fuel, I asked the cashier for water 4 for my car’s windscreen washers. He suggested I buy 5 a container of windscreen washer fluid, which I gladly did, and asked me to help myself from a stack just outside the door. In the twilight, I picked up what looked like a plastic container of windscreen fluid and added some immediately to my car. Driving away up the M40,1 was 58 alarmed to find that every time I attempted to wash my windscreen, it smeared so badly that visibility was seriously impaired. In fact, for much of the rest of the journey, I was scarcely able to see ahead at all. Despite stopping to try and wipe the screen clear, the situation did not improve and I eventually managed to get as far as the next service station on the M42 before being able to flush the system. What I had inadvertently done, of course, was The good looking Honda Civic pick up a container of Air 1 AdBlue, designed for the saloon is tested by Al Suttie. emission systems of diesel vehicles. However, I suggest to you that to position AdBlue alongside or near ordinary windscreen washer fluid is placing motorists like myself at some peril. I have since learned that I am by no means the first motorist to make such a mistake. 62 You may wish to reconsider the way you display such products on your forecourts in future. Yours sincerely, Jerry Johns

The Peugeot Rifter leaves James Luckhurst scratching his head.

44 www.motoringassist.com Road test

GREAT STYLE, VIVID ACCELERATION, ZERO CO2 , PLUG-IN EFFICIENCY....

What is it? Jaguar’s first electric car, a svelte-looking and sassy SUV that combines style, performance and efficiency in a very appealing package, but at a premium price. How green is it? It’s a Z.E. – zero emissions – so it’s very green where you use it on the road, but there’s a whole other debate about the coal-fired power stations that supply the electricity. Who should buy it? An EV early adopter who wants to drive one of the quickest and classiest electric vehicles, and the only one wearing a Jaguar badge. Someone Whispering well-heeled who loves whispering performance. purr-fection Driving and performance Grace, pace and space are Jaguar’s traditional SUE BAKER CLIMBS ABOARD THE I-PACE, claims, and the I-Pace lives up to all three, JAGUAR’S FIRST ELECTRIC MODEL, AND but especially pace. It has vivid acceleration, zipping from stationary to the benchmark FINDS HERSELF LOVING EVERYTHING 100km/h or 62mph in under five seconds. The downside is that the more enthusiastic use you ABOUT IT... EXCEPT THE PRICE make of the car’s performance, the shorter >> 345 Jaguar I-Pace (continued) Safety >> its range will be before it needs to be plugged in for recharging. The quoted range of 292 miles on the new Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figures is Although the I-Pace has yet to be tested for a Euro NCAP achievable, but only if driven moderately in mild weather score, it has been designed for a five-star rating and is without too much electrical equipment switched on. Around expected to achieve that. It comes well-equipped with safety 230 to 240 miles range is more realistic in more typical kit, much of it standard across the range. All versions have conditions, and probably nearer 200 in mid-winter with traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assistance, driver lights, wipers, climate control and seat heaters all hard at condition monitor, emergency braking, 360-degree parking work. vision, a rear traffic monitor, and a clear exit monitor that Most owners will recharge the car overnight on a home warns disembarking passengers about any approaching charge unit, and a 100-mile trip or daily commute there and vehicles. back should be well within the car’s practical range. Faster charging is possible using a 100kW rapid charger, taking 40 Equipment minutes to restore 80 per cent of battery level. Locations for these can be found on zap-map.com. Rapid acceleration characterises the electric Jaguar’s energetic feel on the road, and it is matched with strong Standard equipment on the I-Pace includes LED headlights, progressive brakes and a slick auto transmission. As well as 18-inch alloy wheels, eight-way powered front sports seats, good performance, the I-Pace is a sportily civilised car to an interactive infotainment system with sat nav, a high- drive, with the clingy feel of a road-orientated 4x4. quality sound system, mobile phone induction charging, and Ride quality is mostly pretty fair, and cruising comfort on a a security tracker. The cabin can be pre-heated or cooled motorway slog is fine. It sometimes feels a bit firm at lower ahead of a trip via a smartphone app. The car has 4G wi-fi pace on a country byway, with some minor fidgeting over connectivity and the purchase price includes 500MB of data surface undulations. Refinement is very good, as with most a month for three years. electric cars. At urban pace it is whisper-quiet, and although there is some tyre noise at higher speed it is mostly a hushed driving experience.

Under the skin of the Jaguar I-Pace David Motton

The I-Pace isn’t just one of the most enjoyable electric cars to drive, it’s one of the most advanced too. By designing the I-Pace from the outset as an electric car, rather than modifying an existing model, Jaguar has been able to rethink the way the car is built. Two electric motors are used, one for each axle, making the I-Pace four-wheel drive. The driveshafts pass through the motors themselves to keep the drivetrain as compact as possible. With no need to make space for a bulky internal combustion engine, Jaguar has given the I-Pace a ‘cab-forward’ design, which contributes to the car’s excellent aerodynamics (for the technically minded, the car has a drag coefficient of just 0.29Cd). Had Jaguar modified an existing design, it might have housed the battery under the boot floor, which would compromise luggage space and weight distribution. Instead, the battery is housed centrally and as low down as possible, achieving 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. This contributes to the car’s composed handling. The car’s aluminium architecture uses advanced riveting and bonding technology to create a stiff yet light structure – the I-Pace’s torsional rigidity is the highest of any Jaguar.

46 www.motoringassist.com Space/practicality Details and verdict

Price: £63,495* Upper-crust quality is evident throughout the I-Pace’s cabin, Upper-crust Performance: 0-62 in 4.8 secs which is beautifully appointed and roomy, although the car’s quality is Range: 292 miles (WLTP) headroom suffers a bit if you choose the optional panoramic “ Insurance: 49 glass roof. Even so, that’s not really a problem except for evident Tax: £0/£0 very tall passengers. Legroom all round is pretty good, what throughout you’d expect of an executive-class model. It’s helped by the Our verdict: I-Pace’s lack of engine allowing for a short bonnet, with the the cabin... Figures for the I-Pace EV400 AWD S front seats set a bit further forward in the car’s overall length *£59,995 with plug-in grant than usual, so freeing up a bit more knee space behind. The boot is big at 656 litres, and folding the rear seats lets this be increased to 1,453 litres when using the car as a temporary two-seater load carrier. There is also a small compartment under the bonnet, where an engine would normally be in other cars. It is only 27 litres, but enough to ” accommodate an overnight bag or large briefcase. Stowage inside the cabin is quite good too. Drive it away...

Cash or finance? Personal contract purchase. Costs Best deals? The keenest deal around comes direct from Jaguar spread over three years and with a government grant of £3,500 to help reduce the high list price. You’ll still need a £11,995 deposit and 36 monthly payments of £559 with The starting price for an I-Pace is a hefty £63,495 for the S an APR of 5.9%. There’s then an optional final payment to model we tested. There are three other versions, the dearest own the car outright of £40,845 that would bring the total of which is the EV400 First Edition at £81,495. As an electric cost to £77,904 for an EV400 SE model with a list price of vehicle the I-Pace is eligible for a plug-in car grant (PICG), £69,495. although the value of this grant has recently been cut to What’s it worth when I change? The desirability of £3,500. However, running costs and servicing bills will be the Jaguar name coupled to demand for SUVs and electric lower than for an equivalent petrol or diesel model. vehicles means the I-Pace is predicted to retain 56.6% of its list price after three years and 60,000 miles.

4 Great style, vivid acceleration, plug-in efficiency and zero 2CO . 6 Not much change from £64,000. Review: Sue Baker Review:

WE SAY: Jaguar joins the electric car scene with a highly desirable model, at a price. www.motoringassist.com 47 Triple test

The GEM four-wheel drive challenge

If you’ve ever worried about safety around horses then GEM and the British Horse Society have some sensible advice

WINTERS CAN be rough if you live out in the sticks. Good Motoring’s editor, James, is lucky enough to be located close to the Brecon Beacons, one of our most beautiful National Parks. But the weather is often unkind. It’s the sort of terrain where four-wheel drive is a real asset. Even if you never plan to stray far from the road, there are farm tracks and ungritted rural lanes to make winter driving a real challenge. Of course, not everyone wants or needs a large and expensive 4x4. How about a small 4x4, with an affordable purchase price and running costs, and without the questionable green credentials of a bigger, thirstier vehicle? We decided to put three such cars to the test, to be assessed not just by experienced road testers, but by a line-up of GEM members. As well as driving our three 4x4s on the road, the guest testers would take them on a mild off-road course. To add to the fun – and to learn some valuable lessons – our road testers for the day would also receive instruction in more adventurous off-road driving from 4x4 expert, Selwyn Kendrick. >>

48 www.motoringassist.com ABOUT THE TEST WHERE: Hay-on-Wye and the nearby Brecon Beacons

ROUTE: Approximately 60 miles of B-roads, lanes and rough tracks

DRIVERS: GEM guests on a 4x4 training day

REPORT: David Motton

PICTURES: Billie Charity

49 www.motoringassist.com The GEM four-wheel drive challenge (continued)

TESTING LINE-UP of £15,195. That’s thousands less than you’d pay for a car of Our party gathered together in the welcoming surroundings similar size and equipment from most brands. of the 18th century Baskerville Hall Hotel near Hay-on-Wye. A car like the Ford EcoSport, for example. The Ford was the Outside were our three small 4x4s. outlier of our trio; our original plan was to bring together three Smallest of the lot was the Suzuki Ignis 1.2 SZ5 Allgrip, petrol 4x4s as close in price as possible, but when another car priced at £15,964. At least, that’s the official retail price. At the became unavailable the diesel EcoSport was drafted in as a time of writing a £2,000 ‘customer saving’ effectively brings replacement. Our 1.5 EcoBlue 125PS AWD ST-Line has a list the price down to £13,964. price of £23,950, making it around £8,000 more expensive than Considerably bigger but similarly affordable, our second car the others. Would the performance, economy, and quality of the was the Dacia Duster SCe 115 Comfort 4x4, with a list price EcoSport justify the premium?

Builth Wells LET’S ON-ROAD! Teas and coffees consumed, our group headed outside under overcast autumn skies. Selwyn Baskerville Hall explained the benefits of four-wheel drive, and A470 the various modern traction and stability aids Llanstephan Bridge that are now commonplace. We then split into A438 two groups, one heading into the hills with Selwyn in a pair of heavy-duty offroaders, while the rest of us took to the road in the three small 4x4s. Llyswen River James had used his local knowledge to Wye Glasbury come up with a varied and scenic route, with plenty of stops so our guest testers could swap between cars. It gave the three cars the chance The outbound route Talgarth to show what they could do, while showcasing the beauty of the Wye Valley and the Brecon The inbound route Beacons. Then it was back to Baskerville Hall for an Llangorse enjoyable fish-and-chips lunch, before the two Brecon Lake Not to scale groups swapped over in the afternoon. James tweaked the road route for the second group to include some relatively mild “SELWYN EXPLAINED THE offroading to meet up with the others, who were taking their turn to play (sorry, learn) BENEFITS OF FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE, with proper offroaders in the woods above the AND THE VARIOUS MODERN hotel. Finally, it was back to comfy Baskerville Hall TRACTION AND STABILITY AIDS for tea, coffee and some delicious Welsh cakes, to discuss what we had learned, and to consider THAT ARE NOW COMMONPLACE...” the relative merits of our three cars.

50 www.motoringassist.com THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN THE CABIN Judged on this aspect alone, the Ford was rated Having spent the day moving from one car to highly by most of our drivers. Ray Fox and the other and sitting in the passenger seats as daughter Alix both preferred the EcoSport. well as driving, our guest reviewers were well “The Ford has some very good usable power,” placed to comment on the interiors. they said. “It also feels like a safe car to be in.” Not surprisingly given its diminutive Luke Ellis Farmer also favoured the Ford, dimensions, the Suzuki had the smallest cabin praising its “low road noise” and “good – in fact, there were seatbelts for just two in the amount of torque”, one of the big plus points back, and the boot’s capacity was clearly the of choosing this more expensive diesel over smallest of the three. the petrol Dacia or the petrol-electric hybrid Build quality disappointed most of our testers. Suzuki. We would agree that the Ford was Jonathan Neil described the Suzuki as “a bit noticeably quicker than its rivals, and we also tinny” while Rob Humphreys complained of the found the gearshift the most satisfying and “cheap interior and two-tone hard plastics”. precise of the three. The Duster also came in for criticism of the However, the Ecosport didn’t escape without interior finish, despite the considerable strides criticism. Pat Friis described the engine as Dacia has made with the new-generation Duster. “noisy for the money” and while Shirley Neil Although Sean Myles rated the Duster as his felt the Ford had “plenty of oomph” she “didn’t favourite of the three overall, he felt it was “let like the clutch”. The pedal was certainly stiffer down by the very crude dashboard appearance”. than the others, and a rather sharp biting point For the most part, our testers preferred the made the Ford the easiest of the three to stall interior of the Ford, although all were conscious until you became used to it. Sean Myles also of the EcoSport’s higher price tag. The red complained that “the ride was very firm” on the stitching on the wheel and seats and the sporty ST Line’s sports suspension. looking metal pedals all gave the interior a The Suzuki received mixed notices from lift, and Ray and Alix Fox praised the “very the driver’s seat. Luke Farmer thought the comfortable seating”. engine noisy, but found the performance “quite However, the Sync 3 infotainment system, punchy” with the electric motor and petrol perched high on top of the dash, split our guest engine working together. Rob Humphreys reviewers down the middle. Sean Myles thought was a fan, praising the “very positive driving it “a major distraction”, sitting too close to experience”, while Ray and Alix Fox described the driver’s eyeline, while Luke Ellis Farmer it as “very driveable”. However, Sean Myles praised it as “intuitive”. thought it was “noisy” and “lacked power”. The Ford offered more luggage room than the Opinions were divided as to the merits of Suzuki but less than the Dacia, and we found the the Dacia, too. Sean Myles thought “the Dacia EcoSport’s side-hinged tailgate irritating; once gave the best drive feel, told you more about open it’s between whoever is loading the boot the road and gave a smooth, safe ride feel.” and the kerbside and there may not be room to Jonathan and Shirley Neil both really enjoyed open it fully in a tight parking space. the Dacia. Shirley “loved the gears and quick response” and Jonathan praised the “speedy, WHAT YOU’LL PAY surprising acceleration”. We’ve been over the list prices, and the However, others were underwhelmed by substantial gulf between the Ford and the other the engine’s 115PS (113bhp), which just two. In terms of build quality and equipment, goes to show that what’s perfectly acceptable however, most of our drivers felt the EcoSport performance for some can be too steady for looked and felt like a more expensive car. others. Andy Friis certainly didn’t take to the OUR READERS’ Despite being a diesel, the Ford won’t be the Dacia, deciding he “would get fed up with it VERDICTS most fuel-efficient of our trio – according to quickly”. DACIA: 3 votes the official figures at least. The petrol-electric All three handled some light offroading, Suzuki is the most economical, with an official although the Dacia’s superior approach and combined figure of 60.1mpg. The Ford is is only FORD: 3 votes departure angles would be in its favour for just behind with a combined figure of 58.9mpg. owners wanting to tackle more than the SUZUKI: 2 votes The Dacia is a long way off the pace with a occasional farm track. combined figure of 40.4mpg. The Dacia sits in insurance group 10, so SUMMING UP should be affordable to insure even though it All three test vehicles had their fans and their detractors. The Duster and will be the most expensive to fuel. The Ford is EcoSport earned three votes each, with the Ignis only just behind with group 11, but the Suzuki has the edge on them two. The Ignis is the most youthful of the three in its looks and personality, both, sitting in group 9. In terms of warranty, all and comes with high-tech safety kit that’s rare on cars at this price point. three have cover for three years/60,000 miles. The EcoSport has the sportiest drive, the most willing engine, and the best Many thanks to Selwyn, who has passed on build quality. The Duster has the largest boot, the most comfortable ride, the day’s proceeds straight to the GEM Road and represents exceptional value for money. Safety Charity. n 51 www.motoringassist.com ask the experts Can an electric car tow my caravan?

Members of our panel offer their responses to your questions on car buying, technical and safety matters. Send your query to [email protected]

Having read your various tests and articles about electric cars I’m considering buying one as my next vehicle. However, I’ve been a keen caravanner for 30 years and I don’t want to give up my touring holidays. Are any electric vehicles suitable for towing? Most electric vehicles aren’t homologated (officially approved) for towing, but there are exceptions. The Tesla Model X (pictured right) has a legal towing limit of 2250kg. The new Jaguar I-Pace is also approved for towing, and has a capacity of 750kg (you can read our review on page 45). However, that’s so low it rules out all but the very lightest micro-caravans. You could park in the caravan parking, use a These are also both very expensive cars. The wheel lock to make the caravan secure, then drive Tesla Model X is priced from £71,405 and the to the normal parking to recharge the car, but this Jaguar costs from £63,495. Even after the OLEV would make the process more complicated and Plug-In Car Grant has been applied you’ll need time-consuming. deep pockets to buy either. If you have space for two cars and are keen to Range could also be a problem if towing with run an electric vehicle, my advice would be to an all-electric car. Tesla quotes a range of up to choose an EV like the excellent new Hyundai Range could 351 miles for Model X, but I would expect that Kona Electric to run every day, and a second be a problem to reduce dramatically when towing. Recharging turbodiesel vehicle with a high kerbweight ‘‘ the battery while travelling will be made more and generous towing capacity to use when if towing... complicated by having a caravan on tow, as the caravanning. To my mind this would be the best recharging points at motorway service stations are of both worlds, provided you have the space and sized for individual cars, not cars and caravans. budget to run two cars. DM

My engine is not running well. My garage has performed a diagnostic check using a computer but I am told that ” no fault codes are being displayed. What should I do HAPPY TO HELP next? From left to right: A common misconception is that a ‘diagnostic check’ Neil Worth, road involves plugging a ‘magic box’ into the car, which will tell safety officer at GEM the unskilled operator what is wrong. This is not the case, Rob Marshall, GEM’s technical adviser and a and the absence of fault codes does not mean necessarily that freelance automotive all is well. Even if they are revealed, the codes tend to be a journalist guide and it is down to the technician’s skill, training and David Motton, Good experience to pinpoint the exact problem, and to formulate Motoring’s road test a cost-effective solution. A competent garage should be A professional diagnostic service is more editor who’s also a able to advise you that it needs extra time to diagnose the involved than reading and interpreting fault juror on the UK Car of issue in more detail. Walk away if there is any suggestion of codes - a skilled operator should capture the Year awards replacing parts blindly, in the hope of effecting a cure. RM and compare live data readings.

52 www.motoringassist.com I needed to top up the engine oil on my 2012 Mercedes ask the experts C class, while I was on holiday. I pulled into a motorway service station and bought some (very expensive) ‘fully synthetic’ but I suspect it was the incorrect type. Have I I understand the tests for official economy damaged my engine? figures have changed. What are the new tests, Quite possibly. Modern engines have become so fussy about and are they any better than the old tests? their oil that it is easy to pick the wrong one and there is All new cars now go through the World insufficient shelf space in most motorway service stations to harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure stock every variety. To pick the right lubricant, consider that (WLTP), which replaces the old NEDC tests. This the majority of modern engines require synthetic oil. Seek the covers greater mileages and includes a broader correct viscosity requirement, for example 5W30, or 0W20, range of speeds, so it should produce figures more but you will find many different oils bearing the same figures. representative of real-world driving. Then, check out the specification from the ACEA (or API) For now, fuel economy and emissions figures in both your handbook and on the oil can. A less confusing are being translated back to NEDC equivalent method is to scan your handbook for Mercedes-Benz’s own values because manufacturers have been working

requirement, then buy a trusted brand that complies with that towards CO2 targets based on the old NEDC test. standard. The wrong oil can damage not only the engine but However, from January 2019, figures published also expensive anti-pollution equipment, such as the Diesel in websites and brochures will be WLTP figures. Particulate Filter. RM These will be used in brochures and for tax bandings for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and Potholes seem to have gone out of the news recently, yet company car tax from April 2020. where I live they are everywhere. Are councils interested WLTP should be much better than the old any more? Should I bother to report potholes? system, with figures closer to those achieved in Definitely do report. Main roads are the responsibility of the real world. The tests take place in a laboratory, national agencies such as Highways England, not the local but are backed up by Real Driving Emissions authority. Go to gov.uk/report-pothole or call 0300 123 (RDE) tests on the road, to make it harder for 5000. For other roads, help your local authority and report any manufacturers to cheat the tests. However, there dangerous potholes that are causing problems in the area. After will always be variations in the fuel economy all, your local authority cannot be held liable for a defect they owners are able to achieve, depending on their are not aware of. NW driving style and the road conditions. DM ‘‘

27 www.motoringassist.com road tests

What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? The new Hyundai Santa Fe is a seven- There are no petrol or hybrid options, You’ll need pretty deep pockets, but seat SUV, packed with high-tech driver but the diesel engine is reasonably the Santa Fe is a very capable car. aids and offering lots of room for efficient given how big and heavy the It deserves serious consideration by passengers and luggage, although it’s Santa Fe is; the 2WD manual returns anyone looking for an SUV with space more expensive than its predecessor. 49.6mpg on the combined cycle. for seven occupants. Hyundai Santa Fe

Driving and performance

The sharp-looking Santa Fe is new as well as two- and four-wheel-drive in most respects, but the engine is transmissions. We’ve been driving the a development of the diesel used in 4x4 auto. The gearbox is a good match the old model. That’s no bad thing, for the engine, shifting gear smoothly. as the diesel is a strong performer. It could be a little quicker to change There’s enough pulling power for down, though. brisk acceleration, and sufficient There’s a choice of different driving oomph to cope with a big caravan or modes to tweak the throttle and trailer if you’re looking for a car to gearbox responses and the weight tow with. It can sound a little gruff at of the steering. In four-wheel-drive times, but engine noise settles into the versions the power distribution also background at a steady cruise. changes. ‘Sport’ sends more power to There’s a choice of six-speed manual the rear wheels than the other modes and eight-speed automatic gearboxes, to sharpen up the handling balance.

What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? The updated Golf Estate Mk7 was It is clearly not a ‘green’ choice. Few If you value hard-to-beat performance unveiled in Berlin in November vehicles that push nearly 300bhp and pin-sharp handling, then give this 2016. The range-topping R features through all four wheel are likely to car a good look. The added bonus a 2.0-litre petrol engine capable of a offer top environmental credentials. for this beastie is of course that it is blistering 0 to 62 time of 4.8 seconds. Claimed economy is below 40mpg. disturbingly practical. Volkswagen Golf R Estate Driving and performance

Sometimes it’s best just to spell it out in simple terms... this powerful Golf Estate is an absolute cracker to drive. It clings sure-footedly to country roads, makes light work of overtaking manoeuvres, and delivers an engaging, thrilling yet entirely settled driving experience. The all-wheel drive adds a further level of confidence. The ‘R Performance Pack’ means there is no 155mph top speed restriction on this vehicle. However, pushing it to its limits and attempting to unsettle it is of course a task for an expert on a track. We are happy to confirm that it’s still a fantastic, responsive and very rewarding car to drive.

54 www.motoringassist.com Space/practicality Safety Details and verdict Price: £43,295 The Hyundai has yet to go through Euro NCAP The Santa Fe has grown in Performance: 0-62 in 9.4 secs safety testing, but it should prove very safe. size over its predecessor, and Economy: 44.8 mpg Standard kit includes autonomous emergency those dimensions have been Insurance: 28 braking with pedestrian detection, a fatigue put to good use. There’s lots Tax: £830/£450 warner and front, front-side and curtain airbags. of space in the front of the car, Top-spec models have a system which detects and even models with a sunroof Our verdict: passing traffic while reversing out of a parking fitted have plenty of headroom. space and will apply the brakes if necessary. We found the driving position Figures for the 2.2 CRDi 200PS 4WD comfortable, and there’s plenty Premium SE Auto Equipment of adjustment to suit people of different shapes and sizes. There’s room to stretch out in Drive it away... SE cars have electrically adjustable lumbar the middle row – a passenger of support for the driver’s seat, dual-zone well over six-feet can sit behind Cash or finance? Personal climate control, a DAB radio, and Bluetooth an equally tall driver with room contract hire connectivity. Additions to Premium cars include to spare. Best deals? With six monthly leather upholstery, hands-free opening of the The third row isn’t as comfy, payments as an initial rental, you tailgate, heated front seats, and an uprated though adults shouldn’t feel too could be driving a Santa Fe 2.2 stereo. Premium SE cars add ventilation to the cramped on short trips. With all CRDi Premium auto for £483 per front seats as well as heating, an around-view three rows upright, boot space month from Carleasing-Online. This is spread over three years, camera system to assist with parking and more. is modest, but there’s a useful and 36,000 miles, plus that £3082 547-litre capacity with seats six upfront cost which includes a Costs and seven folded away. There £180 arrangement fee. are some clever touches, such as What’s it worth when I the space for storing the luggage change? You can expect the The range starts from £33,425 for the 2WD cover if you wish to load up to Santa Fe to hold on to 49% of its model, rising to £43,295 for the Premium SE the roofline. Folding the second new price after three years: so it’s 4WD Auto. Those are stiff prices when the Kia row gives a handy total capacity one of the most competitive cars

Sorento range starts from £30,225. of 1625 litres. in its class for retained value. Motton David Review:

Space/practicality

Part of our test was a four-day family trip Drive it away... to France, where we were easily able to fit Personal contract hire everything we needed. We found acres of space Cash or finance? Best deals? Volkswagen’s astonishingly low finance deals have in the front, with one adult and three children long since disappeared for the Golf R, so the best bet is a contract also managing to exist in the back without hire deal from VW over three years and 10,000 miles per annum. squabbling. The boot, with its height-adjustable With a deposit of £1309, you’ll pay £436 per month for 35 months floor, swallowed all our luggage (and shopping) to drive this superb sports estate. Review: James Luckhurst James Review: with no need to scratch heads, unpack and work What’s it worth when I change? The Golf R may not be out ways of packing more efficiently. It just all as hotly desired as it once was, but it still hangs on to 43.6% of its went in. Job done. Brilliant. new price after three years and 30,000 miles.

Safety Equipment Costs Details and verdict Price: £42,905 as tested Performance: 0-62 in 4.8 secs The Estate R includes Standard features include The basic ‘on the Economy: 39.2mpg Predictive Pedestrian Discover Navigation road’ price of £36,125 Insurance: 39E Protection, as well as and Car-Net ‘Guide & quickly rises if you add Tax: £515/£450 pre-crash preventative Inform’, an online feed the Performance Pack, occupant protection, of traffic, weather and Dynamic Chassis Control Our verdict: automatic post-collision car park availability. The and Lane Assist Plus. The braking system and optional R Performance car we drove came in just Figures for R 2.0-litre TSI 310 PS 7spd adaptive cruise control. Pack costs £2300. shy of £43,000. www.motoringassist.com www.motoringassist.com 55 USED CAR CHOICE

Ford Fiesta 2008 - 2017

The Ford Fiesta has routinely been A five-door in Titanium trim is the best mix of practicality the UK’s best-selling car, and when it’s and equipment. If you fancy an ST hot hatch, go for the ST 3 to get the most kit, while the optional Mountune engine not it’s usually in second position. The upgrade is worth having for the extra power. reasons for its enduring popularity are How much to pay many, chief among them its driving Whether you want petrol or diesel, three or five doors, manners, running costs and range starting money for a Mk7 Fiesta with around 90,000 miles in diversity. Yes, there’s something in decent condition is £2500. Our favourite Ecoboost model in Titanium specification will cost you from £5000 for a 2013 there for everyone, writes Al Suttie example with 80,000 miles on the clock and years of active service ahead. An ST 3 hot hatch version begins at £8500. Introduction Overall rating Launched in 2009 to replace the worthy but dull sixth- generation model, the swoopy styling of the seventh incarnation took its style from the Verve concept car. It was an instant hit in three- and five-door body styles, even if rear seat We say: space was only average for the class and base models were Brilliant to drive, cheap to own and even more useful than sparsely equipped. Bear Grylls. There’s always been a good choice of petrol and diesel engines, including the three-cylinder Ecoboost units that are Others to consider good to use but not as economical as claimed. SEAT Ibiza A facelift arrived in 2013 along with the superlative ST The sharp-suited Spaniard is almost as much fun to drive as hot hatch model. Revised engines offer improved economy the Fiesta and offers frugal engines. However, cabin quality and emissions, while inside there’s better connectivity, voice and rear passenger space disappoint. control through Ford’s SYNC infotainment system and Active City Stop emergency braking. Volkswagen Polo This classy and high quality supermini takes a different What to look for approach to the Ford, so expect comfort but not much in the Take a good look at the alloy wheels on any model for signs way of driver engagement. of damage as they are prone to buckling. On the test drive, feel for any vibration through the steering or suspension that points to a wheel that’s not completely round. You also need to feel for any notchiness in the steering as the racks wear quickly, but are cheap to replace. The manual gearbox should shift smoothly, so beware of any car that requires the lever to be forced into gear, as it indicates a worn clutch or damaged transmission. Automatic gearboxes need a fluid change every two years to maintain smooth shifts. Listen for excessive wind noise or whistling on the test drive as the door seals weaken and can let noise and rain in. But new seals are easy to fit and low-cost to buy. Which one to buy All Fiestas of this generation need a service every 12 months or 12,500 miles, so choosing one comes down to your driving demands. Higher mileage drivers will be drawn to the 1.6-litre TDCi turbodiesel, though watch for any sooty exhaust smoke under acceleration that hints at a worn turbo in higher mileage examples. Our preferred model is the turbocharged 100hp 1.0-litre Ecoboost models as it’s a fun engine to use and easy on fuel.

56 www.motoringassist.com In our motorhome on a beach parking area on the remote island of Islay. We Dual carriageway, no hard shoulder, raining, non-stop fast moving got stuck in a muddy grassy verge. A traffic, family and dog in car, utterly phone call to GEM and help arrived terrifying. Calm friendly helpful within 40 minutes. So in no time at all telephone service.The mechanic was we were towed out of the mud by the friendly, helpful and soon recovered us to our destination. It makes you tractor and were on our way again. realise how important purchasing So pleased that GEM covered our such insurance is for road safety, self- motorhome. Excellent service! assurance and confident motoring. five The GEM star service even in the worst weather... I was only a mile from my home. My motorcycle flooded fuel into the sump. A very helpful friendly recovery guy turned up after a half hour wait and got me home quickly. Thank you for Had a battery failure outside an excellent service. my home. I board dogs so car is important to exercise them. Phoned for help. Was told I’d have someone there in 45 mins and he was. He was helpful, efficient... knew what he was doing and got car sorted. An amazing sensitive personal service from GEM! Whilst 39 weeks pregnant I broke down on the motorway. GEM were very efficient in deploying a pick-up truck, and several agents called me whilst waiting to check that I was OK and to offer support. I was feeling distressed and worried the anxiety might bring on labour. All staff I dealt with were efficient and provided accurate advice about what my policy covered. I have always found GEM value for money, but I was pleased that when I needed to use their services I found the service to be exemplary.

49 48 www.motoringassist.com road test

What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? Honda bucks the crossover trend by Engine choice is restricted to the Anyone who finds the Civic hatch’s adding a four-door saloon version 1.0-litre petrol or 1.6 turbodiesel, with styling a bit too bold should find the of its radically styled Civic to the the latter offering a superb 83.1mpg saloon’s looks more restrained, and the range with a bigger boot and softer combined economy and 91g/km with cabin space makes it almost as roomy suspension than the hatchback. the manual gearbox. as the old Accord. Honda Civic saloon

Driving and performance

there’s a loping gait to the diesel model that makes it a very The main difference between this model and the hatch may relaxing car to cover big miles in. A little more insulation be the boot’s styling and the effect that has on practicality, from road and wind noise would be good, but the engine is but there are other differences between four- and five-door hushed even when worked hard. Civics. Most notably, the Japanese firm has softened the Our test car came with the six-speed manual transmission suspension settings for the saloon, which will be welcome and 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, which is the ideal news to many who find the latter’s ride too firm and fidgety. combination for those covering big distances on a regular Honda has also revised the steering for the saloon, though the basis. It sips fuel at the sort of rate most hybrids would envy reasons for this are less clear-cut; it’s hard to appreciate any and the motor pulls keenly on the motorway so you don’t difference between how the four-door’s steering reacts next have to disturb the gear lever when cruising. There’s also a to that of the hatch. What you get is power assistance that nine-speed automatic transmission, but that comes with a makes the wheel light to use at the lowest speeds, and free noticeable drop in economy and rise in emissions. from kick-back once the pace increases. There’s not much in A 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is the other choice in the the way of feedback, but cornering is predictable and safe. Civic saloon and it’s the one to go for if most of your driving The saloon is clearly pitched at those who value comfort is short-hop commuting or around town. It’s peppy enough in above out-and-out driving dynamics. It soaks up the sort of most situations, but we reckon the diesel is the better of the lumps and bumps that form the average A-road with ease and two options in most conditions.

58 www.motoringassist.com Space/practicality Safety Details and verdict

Price: £22,590 All versions come with six airbags, twin A saloon has a smaller boot than Performance: 0-62 in 10.0 secs ISOFIX mounts in the back, and Vehicle a hatch, right? Not in the Civic’s Economy: 83.1 mpg Stability Assist. You also get Lane Departure case. Take the four-door and you Insurance: 15 Warning and Lane Keep Assist, a Traffic Sign get a 519-litre boot compared Tax: £145/£140 Recognition System, Intelligent Speed Limiter, the tailgate-equipped version’s and Forward Collision Warning and Collision 478 litres. Drop the rear seats Our verdict: Mitigation Braking. Adaptive Cruise Control down and the hatch offers up to Figures for the 1.6 i-DTEC SR 6-spd maintains a safe distance to the vehicle ahead. 828 litres, but for daily duties manual the saloon has the edge. Equipment The saloon boot aperture may be wide, but it’s still not as big as the hatch’s. This makes All models include alloy wheels, automatic loading lareger suitcases more headlights and Bluetooth. However, you of a struggle, but it’s one we’d need to step up from the SE with its five-inch accept for the more generous infotainment screen to the SR to get the larger space. You also get levers in the and easier to use seven-inch monitor that also inside of the boot opening to Drive it away... comes with sat-nav, internet browsing and drop the 60/40 split rear seats. connectivity for smartphones. The EX gains The rest of the Civic saloon’s Cash or finance? Finance keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, cabin is much the same as its Best deals? Honda’s own deal sunroof, heated front seats, blind spot monitor hatch sister’s, so you get a low- comes with a £1250 contribution and wireless phone charging. set driving position with good on top of the £4785 customer vision to the front and sides, deposit. That hefty upfront cost Costs but the slope of the rear screen means reasonable monthly limits the view when changing payments of £259 over 37 months lanes on the motorway. Rear seat at 6.2% APR. You also have the option to buy outright at the end This is a tale of two halves. The petrol Civic occupants are well looked after of the deal for £8709. saloon offers a decent but unremarkable with generous space. 58.9mpg combined economy with a manual What’s it worth when I gearbox, or 60.1mpg with the auto, while CO 2 change? Over a typical three- emissions come in at 110g/km (107g/km for year period and 30,000 miles, you the auto). The diesel offers 83.1mpg average can expect a Honda Civic saloon consumption (68.9mpg as an auto) and 91g/ to keep 42.7% of its value.

km CO2 output (108g/km auto). A three-year, 90,000-mile warranty is standard.

4 Bigger boot and improved refinement in the saloon Civic compared to hatch model. 6 The ride is still on the firmer side of

Review: Al Suttie Al Review: acceptable for this class of car.

WE SAY: Honda mounts a decent case for the saloon with space and restrained looks. www.motoringassist.com 59 road test

What is it? How green is it? Who should buy it? The new-generation model of Audi’s The jury’s out on that. The outgoing An SUV aficionado who wants one mid-range SUV, originally launched model was averagely green with that looks stylish and wears a prestige six years ago. The Q3 now comes with middling CO2 and fuel economy, but German badge (although it’s made in edgier styling, and has grown a bit figures for the new Q3 have yet to be Hungary). Four-ring fanciers who like bigger overall and roomier inside. confirmed. an elevated driving position. Audi Q3

Driving and performance

Strong, nicely progressive braking inspires confidence, and the six-speed manual gearbox operates smoothly with Outwardly the new Q3 is smarter and more toned looking, mostly well-spaced ratios, although the two top gears feel and you get a similar impression behind the wheel. Audi has very economy-orientated and you need to drop a cog or two, tautened the car’s responses, given it a slicker feel with better even for slight hills. It’s a big plus that the Q3 is quite refined handling and ride comfort than its predecessor. It is grippy on with modest engine noise even in the diesel, only very slight the bends with good body control that hasn’t been achieved wind noise at motorway pace, and a restrained level of tyre at the expense of ride comfort. That has been upgraded too. and suspension noise that is no more intrusive than in rival It has a firmish feel, but copes well with minor bumps in the models. road surface and cushions out most ruts and undulations. Although the new Q3 is generally pretty decent to drive, Potholes can catch it out, as they do most cars, but general and close to some of its best rivals, it is let down by lack ride quality is pretty fair. of steering feel. It does not communicate as directly as With a zesty 2.0-litre diesel engine, that has a 148 bhp others like the BMW X1, with the result that it isn’t quite power output and 251 lb ft of torque, the Q3 is a brisk as engaging to drive because it doesn’t have the same kind performer with a 0-62 mph acceleration in just over nine of tactile enjoyment. That’s a pity because it means that seconds. The 1.5 litre petrol model has identical power although the driving behaviour is very competent, it is rather output, although lower torque at 184 lb ft, but also has a unmemorable. similar sprint time.

60 www.motoringassist.com Safety Space/practicality

The Q3’s safety assistance features include Audi has upped its space game side exit assistance, using radar sensors to scan in the second-generation Q3. It for vehicles in the blind spots or approaching is all-round very slightly bigger, quickly from behind. Other standard kit includes with benefits in cabin and boot lane departure warning, pre sense front safety space. At 4,485mm in overall and hill hold assist. On the options list are length it is 97mm longer, and adaptive cruise assist and parking assistance. A its width has grown by 18mm five-star Euro NCAP rating is predicted. to 1,849mm plus mirrors, while the height is up 8mm to Equipment 1,616mm. The wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) has been stretched Every Q3 has Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, including too, increased by 78mm to 2.68 a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with metres. navigation, Audi Connect with a three-year As a result of the three-way subscription, powered tailgate, LED headlights, body stretch, the cabin feels a bit 18-inch alloys, rear parking sensors and a roomier, but the bigger change is package of electronic driver aids. S line adds in the boot. It has grown in size lowered sports suspension, 19-inch alloys, by around a quarter, increased privacy glass, ambient lighting and front sports by 110 litres to 530 litres. It seats. Vorsprung models have 20-inch wheels, has been made more versatile black styling pack and 360-degree cameras. too, with adjustable rear seat- backs that allow the boot to Costs be expanded to 675 litres with Details and verdict all five seats still usable. With the back seats folded down, Price: c. £34,000 Buying a new Q3 costs from around £32,000 1,525 litres of cargo room is Performance: 0-62 in 9.3 secs for the front-wheel-drive 1.5 petrol-engined available, an increase of 200 Economy: TBC 35 TFSI Sport. That looks expensive against litres compared with the first Insurance: TBC similar spec rivals such as BMW’s X1, a generation Q3. Tax: £500/£140 Mercedes GLA and a Volvo XC40. The price climbs quickly for an S line or range-topping Our verdict: Vorsprung spec. The top model is the all-wheel- Figures for the Q3 35 TDI 150 S line. drive Q3 40 TDI Quattro Vorsprung, with a price close to £40,000.

4 Standard boot size has grown by a quarter to 530 litres. 6 It isn’t the most engaging SUV of its size from behind the wheel. Review: Sue Baker Review:

WE SAY: The Q3 looks sharper, has a better cabin and drives well but not memorably. www.motoringassist.com 61 a week at the wheel Peugeot Rifter by James Luckhurst

Wednesday

MY FIRST sight of the Rifter occurs when I arrive at my me, I give up on its instructions and follow my nose down friend Peter Baker’s house in Cheadle Hulme. I take a good towards Uttoxeter on what turns out to be a very scenic and look and try to understand what I’m seeing. First impressions pleasant drive. To give the Rifter its due, it handles well on are of a practical, big, hard-wearing van, with an array of not- the main roads, with a firm ride and acceptable acceleration quite-successful cosmetic touches designed to make me think from the 128bhp BlueHDi diesel engine. this is nine parts SUV. Wearing my practicality hat, I make time to get all the Peter, who used to edit Granada’s motoring channels and doors open and explore the interior – not from a driver’s at one time had created more hours of car TV than anyone point of view but assessing just how much space there is to else alive, groaned. “What’s it meant to be? It’s butt ugly load and store things. And in that regard, you would not be and devoid of charm,” he said. “What a wasted opportunity. disappointed. Tot up the storage potential for all the pockets They were ideally poised to combine the practicality of a and door bins and you hit an impressive 180 litres, including load-lugging little van with the high-up panoramic position a full width overhead front storage shelf, which I think my you get when you’re driving an SUV. But in my opinion, this son Dylan was rather hoping would convert into a bunk bed. doesn’t achieve either objective,” he said. The tailgate is of aircraft hangar door proportions, and I can see what he means. I sense a series of conflicting – or as such would really benefit from some electric help in at best incongruous design styles that spoil the exterior. There opening and closing. This is not available across the range, are too many grille details on the front – in fact it looks like unfortunately. one style of grille has been moulded on top of another style. All today – and in fact through the week of driving – the Massive wing mirrors, massive front and side pillars, massive fuel needle moves only imperceptibly downwards, so from doors. On first acquaintance, the charm does appear to be missing. However, the practicality is there… in spades.

Thursday

I set off after the rush hour, and head south to attend a conference at St George’s Park in Staffordshire, the Football Association’s training centre. First question: what is something as big, ungainly and unsporty as this doing with a steering wheel the size of a sixpence? I don’t get it. Setting my destination on the vast infotainment screen is frustrating, as I can’t enter a postcode into the satnav – only a ‘city’ address. Time is therefore wasted working out which city I should use to pinpoint my destination. Eventually I get moving, but with the satnav constantly wanting to divert

62 www.motoringassist.com a week at the wheel an economy point of view we do very well indeed. We park would, I think, be a significant detractor for anyone with up at St George’s, and I spend all day – and most of the restrictions to their mobility. evening - in the Sir Bobby Robson ballroom. I’m out in the Rifter as darkness falls and it’s this evening that I have a really good look at what’s going on in the car’s interior above me. A big wide ceiling strip light runs the entire length of the inside, and I for one can’t work out how Friday to turn it off. Perhaps I’m stupid, but none of the switches in the most likely region (centre front above rear-view mirror) It becomes clear early on that there is nothing smart or did the job. Perhaps I can’t adjust it. Frustrating. dynamic about the satnav. I have programmed in my home address, and I set off enthusiastically enough. However, I have to find a diversion when the satnav lady tries to send Monday me down a fairly major road that is in the middle of a closure scheduled to last some months. What’s more, yesterday’s A trundle across to foggy Shropshire reveals more frustration self-assured road holding becomes a dim and distant with the car. I would say that the gearstick is too high up memory as I roll and heave my way along (admittedly poorly and too far forward. It’s also too big and serves to obstruct maintained) minor roads that eventually bring me to the M6 access to the narrow and not clearly-labelled array of air/heat toll and onward to Telford. controls that are found on the panel directly in front. Every time I reach to activate a de-mist function or change the temperature, I knock my left hand on the gear stick. What’s more (and maybe this is a failing in me) I keep thinking I am Saturday in third or fifth gear and need to pull the stick down, when in fact it needs to go up… and really does feel much too far It’s the weekend and for me, as for many parents, that means ahead of me. I’m a taxi service for sports fixtures. Eight-year-old Dylan makes himself comfortable as we head for his football fixture. He remarks on how massive the infotainment system screen is; “like an iPad stuck on top of the panel”. I have Tuesday a similar view of the driver’s dials, which feel as though they’re in a cheap plastic pod that has been glued to the top “Take control of the wheel!” flashes a message on the of a huge area of black plastic in front of the driver. dashboard. I hadn’t realised I was not in control of the wheel, but the Rifter seemed to think we were in imminent danger of catastrophe. So the Rifter was – I fear – not the car for me. Odd on the Sunday outside, cheap and plasticky on the inside. But with an on- the-road price of £25,754 (including metallic paint at £545, I’m grateful for the reversing camera that helps to make smart phone charging plate at £100, Park Assist and ‘Vis’ parking a simple task, but I’m genuinely concerned by pack at £700 and Safety Pack Plus at £150) it could suit your the size of the front and side pillars. The former creates needs. 65.7mpg is claimed for the combined economy, and I a significant blind spot, while the latter was so big that it must praise its very frugal engine. required such a turn of the neck that it actually hurt. This There was lots of rear space, accessed via two somewhat ungainly sliding doors. I had expected to find a third row of Details and verdict seats cunningly concealed at the back, which would surely have helped me love it more (remember those fabulous vast Price: £25,754 as tested old 505s with seats for seven)… never mind. With the three Performance: 0-62 in 10.4 seconds rear seats in use you get 775 litres, but this rockets to 3000 Economy: 65.7 mpg combined when you fold then flat. But if you need that much space, Insurance: 15 then wouldn’t a van make more sense? Tax: £205/£165

Our verdict:

Drive it away... Cash or finance? Contract hire Best deals? Peugeot offers some tempting monthly deals itself, but they come with a restricted mileage of 6,000 per annum. A better bet is the £244 per month from Blue Chilli Car Contract for a 1.5 BlueHDi Active model over three years and 10,000 miles per annum. You’ll pay an initial three months rental up front, plus a further £360 in fees and can add maintenance for £24 per month. What’s it worth when I change? After the term of the above deal, you can expect a strong 42.5% retained value. www.motoringassist.com 63 BRILLIANT ADVICE FROM HOW TO HAVE A VALERIE SINGLETON AND A CONVERSATION ABOUT LINEUP OF EXPERTS ALTERNATIVES TO THE CAR ★★★★★ ★★★★★

“STAY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE” ★★★★★ GEM Motoring Assist presents fe to DSRtillI saVE

A ROAD SAFETY VIDEO RESOURCE FROM GEM MOTORING ASSIST A PETER BAKER production, with input from DOCTORS, optometrists, the police, ROAD SAFETY EXPERTS and psychologists.

www.stillsafetodrive.org.uk five simple safety tips. The call coincided with this year’s European Day Without A Road Death. Neil’s tips were: Media messages Always wear a seatbelt, even on the shortest journeys. And ensure everyone in the car with you wears a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by 45 per cent for drivers and front seat occupants, and reduces the risk of serious We regularly issue press releases in injury by 50 per cent. our efforts to keep road safety high on Always know the speed limits, and stick to them. Inappropriate speed accounts for nearly a quarter of collisions the public agenda. Here are some of which result in death. Get an eye test. Good eyesight is essential for safe driving, our most recent communications: so if you haven’t had your eyes checked in the past 12 months, make a point of booking a professional vision test. ‘DUTCH REACH’ Stay alert throughout your journey. Banish dangerous We welcomed the Department for Transport announcement distractions such as mobile phones, and ensure you take that vehicle drivers and passengers will soon be encouraged regular breaks on long journeys. to use the ‘Dutch reach’ when opening doors from the inside. Spare a thought for others. Be courteous and hold back if it Pioneered in the Netherlands, the Dutch reach is a method might help another driver, a cyclist, pedestrian or other road of opening a car door with the left hand (right hand for user. And if your good turn isn’t acknowledged, don’t bear a nearside passengers) when preparing to get out of a vehicle. grudge! This requires them to look over their shoulder, meaning they are more likely to see an approaching cyclist – and can delay OH DEER opening the car door until after the cyclist has gone past. We recently advised drivers to take extra care in areas where Our road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “Cyclists deer are common. The rutting season means deer are more are vulnerable, and we welcome this move to provide them mobile than usual, bringing them onto roads and increasing with better protection. For drivers and their passengers it’s a the risk of collisions. Neil urged extra vigilance. “Be ready to small and simple change, but it could make a big difference take appropriate avoiding action if you come across a deer on to the safety of cyclists who might be riding past. the road ahead. “Peak periods of deer activity occur at dawn and dusk, PROJECT EDWARD coinciding with the morning and evening rush hours, In September, we put out a call for road users to sign up to increasing collision risks in areas where deer are common.”

GEM_Ad_Oct_2018.indd 1 25/10/2018 12:33 If you’re ‘Des’ this Christmas Some of the team’s personal favourite festive non-alcoholic tipples

Hot apple juice temptation Grove 42 and tonic “Cin cin,” says writer Paul Caddick chosen by road test editor David Motton Splash out £27.99 on a bottle of Grove and you won’t be disappointed. Described by makers Combine four cups of Seedlip as “the ‘world’s first distilled, sugar and apple juice, one cup of additive-free non-alcoholic spirit” made with water, two teaspoons of herbs and botanicals as well as spices and honey, squeeze of lemon citrus peels, it’s also calorie free. Serve over ice and orange juice, pinch of with tonic water. Dear but delightful. cinnamon and nutmeg in a saucepan. Bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and serve in decorated cups or glasses, Steaming berry with a thin slice of lemon Christmas for garnish. Delicious-ish... from Finland with love, says Good Motoring editor James Luckhurst Driver’s eggnog delight Into a big pan pour a litre of whatever berry our off-road guru Selwyn Kendrick swears by it! juice you fancy. Blackcurrant, blueberry, cranberry... or a subtle blend of all three. Break Combine six large eggs with two extra yolks, up a cinnamon stick and drop it in, then add half a cup of sugar and a pinch of salt in a three split cardamom pods, two cloves and a pan (no heat yet), whisking until combined. teaspoon of lemon zest. You can also include Continue to whisk as you add 4 cups of full-fat star anise, nutmeg and even fresh ginger if you milk, then turn the heat on really low. Continue have them to hand. Pop a half-cup of raisins whisking until the mixture becomes thick in, and two tablespoons of honey (or sugar), enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain as well as a thinly sliced apple. Heat slowly and through a sieve into a bowl, add a sprinkle serve when hot. I had a steaming mug of this of nutmeg and cinnamon, fold in a cup of when it was minus 25 in Finnish Lapland a few whipped cream. Serve cold with a little more years ago and I’ll never forget the scene: deep nutmeg on top. Rich and nourishing! snow, reindeer, a roaring fire and a hot drink. Now just try saying “Hyvää Joulua Kaikille!”

Tots’ punch: (Kinderpunsch) Sandra Macdonald-Ames toasts this German festive fave The addition of fruit tea (I recommend hibiscus) gives this a little kick. To serve four, combine in a saucepan two cups of orange juice, two of apple juice, four fruit tea bags, a cinnamon stick, five cloves, a cup of water, a whole star anise and a couple of teaspoons of honey. Heat, serve and enjoy. Spicy! Editor’s note: ‘Des’ is a nickname for ‘designated driver’.

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