New Renault Clio Estate

Renault has announced a new estate version of the popular Clio supermini featuring a luggage capacity of 440 litres. Full details should be available following the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

It's not just a boring old estate car however, as there is a clear 'coupe' curving line design that has been followed, offering good looks as well as a decent amount of space.

Hyundai i30

There's a new medium sized hatchback heading the way of Europe. Korea is investing more than £200m in a new factory in the Cezch Republic to offer the Hyundai i30. This should offer another choice in the Astra and Focus sized market.

All versions of th (1.4, 1.6 petrol and 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesel) will come with ESP, air con, alloy wheels and integrated steering controls. A good selling point should be the top safety ratings in NCAP testing.

Hyundai is sometimes thought of as the cheap alternative to Euro brands but I'd feel comfortable buying one of these for the reliability and range of features. Whether I'd buy this particular model however remains to be seen. I think I'd rather go for the Coupe - a car still in my wish list...

The BTCC 2007

You may have seen the coverage on ITV4 of the BTCC. Whilst Formula One has been very exciting this year, I can't help but feel that the public are missing a trick. These are cars going extremely fast around a track - but these are cars you could realistically own and drive. Wouldn't you rather watch that? It is fast becoming my number one sport to watch and the drama is just brilliant. Why not give it a watch next time it's on?

Motorway Driving

Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. Do not hog the middle lane. That is all.

Obscured Signs

So there I was, below the speed limit but a little faster than I probably should have been going given that I was totally unfamiliar with the road. Out of nowhere, I came to a 'give way' that was signed (apparently) but was also made completely unreadable due to the bushes and overhanging tree branches.

I'm not sure if my car has ABS but it does have good strong new brakes. An older car could well have simply shot through the junction hurtling into the path of another car. Yes, there's a lot of road in the UK, some of which is infrequently travelled. Nonetheless, is that an excuse? This was a dangerous situation that could have easily been avoided if the council had been doing its job. After all, what do we pay road tax for?