Innholdsfortegnelse for 1737 i Auto Express

SMALL cars are a big challenge. They’ve always been among the hardest models on which to make a profit, as customers have demanded more ‘big-car’ features, with little or no increase in price. So you can see why some brands are looking at the situation, factoring in the potential costs of electrifying these vehicles – and walking away altogether. They don’t think they can make these cars at a price you’ll want to pay for them. Our breakdown here reveals several trends. Some brands are getting out of the sector imminently; some are ready to sell you a small EV now. Others are planning to introduce them by 2025, by when incoming EU7 emissions rules could make small combustion-engined cars more expensive than EVs anyway. No brand, it seems, has…

GOVERNMENT allegations that filling stations may have pocketed former chancellor Rishi Sunak’s 5p per litre fuel duty cut instead of passing it on to drivers have been rebutted by a report from the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA). Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng demanded the report after it became clear that the 5p cut in March wasn’t making a dent in high pump prices. “On the whole, the fuel duty cut appears to have been implemented,” the CMA report says “The main drivers of increased road fuel prices are the rising cost of crude oil, and a growing gap between the crude oil price and the wholesale price of petrol and diesel.” Over the period it investigated, the CMA revealed an average margin of about 10p per litre, which the filling…

@rsp_ingram RANGE anxiety and charging may be a big concern for electric car drivers, but as today’s new models begin to appear on used-car forecourts, for many motorists the focus will shift to how to keep ageing EVs on the road. As it stands, few mechanics or workshops are qualified to work on electric vehicles, such is the complexity of the battery and motors, and the added risk that comes with maintaining this kind of high-voltage componentry. Even some franchised dealers don’t have the necessary kit or training to safely carry out otherwise basic tasks. It’s because of this that Matt Cleevely, managing director of Cleevely Motors, decided to diversify his business. The family-run garage was opened by his grandfather in 1962, and Matt has been part of the furniture…

@ashrafoncars Electric motor Power/range 201bhp/285 miles “The silky-smooth and quiet running around town is typical of an EV, but the upgraded platform gives it more solidity and assurance over rough roads” THE EV6 may be stealing the spotlight as Kia pushes into an all-electric future, but it’s the new Niro EV that’s the bedrock of its battery-powered line-up. The original model – called the e-Niro – was one of the UK’s best-selling EVs, thanks to its blend of space, range and affordability, and this Mk2 version aims to boost its appeal. The Niro retains a practical bodystyle, but has redefined styling and some extra design flourishes. It’s far more distinctive than before, with textured grille elements, angular headlight units and a two-tone paint finish, while the aerodynamic C-pillars help channel…

@ashrafoncars Performance 0-62mph/top speed 4.0 seconds/178mph Running costs 23.1mpg (official) £155 fill-up IN 1988, a Jaguar XJR-9 scorched around Circuit de la Sarthe in the hands of Andy Wallace, Johnny Dumfries and Jan Lammers to take victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours. The V12-engined brute ended Jaguar’s three-decade-long dry spell at the world’s most prestigious endurance race. But what really etched the XJR-9 into race fans’ minds was the car’s livery. Jaguar’s title sponsor was tobacco brand Silk Cut, and the XJR-9 was draped in its purple, gold and white colour scheme to create an iconic look. Now Jaguar is rekindling those memories with the F-Pace SVR Edition 1988. Just 394 – a reference to the number of laps the winning XJR-9 completed – will be built, each powered…

MODELTESTED: Hyundai Ioniq 5 77kWh Ultimate AWD PRICE: £50,450 POWERTRAIN: 77.4kWh battery, 321bhp Running costs 3.4 miles/kWh (on test) £22 recharge/£0 or 2% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 527/1,587 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.1 seconds/114mph AUTO Express’s 2021 Car of the Year has been treated to some minor tweaks for 2022, with a slightly bigger battery and a rear camera with a feed to the rear-view mirror. The car in our pictures is a rear-wheel-drive model, but to match the other cars in the test, we’ve focused on the 77.4kWh Ultimate AWD here, which starts from £50,450. Design & engineering THE Ioniq 5 was the first car to arrive using the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform, which is designed specifically for electric cars. This set-up positions the battery pack under the…

NEW: Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD PRICE: £50,695 BATTERY: 77.4kWh, 314 mile range THE EV6 is even more fun to drive than the Toyota, yet it shares its powertrain with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, so it’s faster than the bZ4X, too. While it’s a great option for a keen driver, it’s not as relaxing as the Hyundai, and it’s not as roomy inside. USED: Ford Mustang Mach-E 75kWh PRICE: £52,000 (21-reg, 8,000 miles) THE Mach-E is one of the best-driving electric cars you can buy. It’s fast and has superb agility for an electric model, plus it’s well equipped, has a driving range of 248 miles in Standard Range guise, and is practical enough for family needs.…

EARLIER in the year I took our Citroen e-Berlingo on a holiday road trip around Yorkshire, following a visit to some of the family in north Lincolnshire. It was my first experience of the national charging network and my maiden long-distance journey in a pure EV. To be honest, I had range anxiety right from the start. I stopped too often to top up the car’s charge, rather than trusting the range readouts and planning further ahead. As a result, the journey wasn’t very relaxing, convenient or cheap. Roll on three months and we needed to head back up to Lincolnshire for a friend’s 50th birthday party. This time I planned ahead, and adopted a three-stop strategy. We had four adults in the car and enjoyed good weather, so there…

Falken film marks 50 years of ’Ring race FALKEN Tyres has produced a new short film all about one of the most iconic motor races: the Nürburgring 24 Hours. This “declaration of love” to fans celebrates the full return of spectators to the sport after two years with limitations on crowd size. Around 230,000 people were present at the track to honour the 50th anniversary of the race. The video, along with previous films Falken has made about the race, is now available on the brand’s Youtube channel and social media platforms. New app helps with health of workers AUTOMOTIVE charity Ben has launched a new wellbeing app designed for the motor industry. BenWell is an app and web portal that allows companies to “take the emotional and physical temperature”…

@JPBrods ● New-look supermini and SUV will be in showrooms next year ● Ranges will include EVs alongside conventional petrol models “How the pair look will come to define the next generation of Citroens, with a style evolved from the C5 Aircross” SMALL cars are a huge part of Citroen’s history. And while the French brand, like many rivals, has had to pull out of the city car segment, it’s drawing up plans for a twin assault of supermini-sized new cars, with replacements for the C3 hatchback and C3 Aircross SUV coming next year. “If the question is ‘are we going to renew our B-segment cars within Citroen because they are not electric?’, the answer is yes and yes and yes,” Citroen’s head of product strategy, Laurence Hansen, told Auto…

● Refinery capacity an issue ● $100-$200 a barrel forecast CASH-STRAPPED drivers hoping that recent falls in the price of crude oil will bring relief at the pumps have been warned to think again. Leading oil data company Vortexa’s chief economist, David Wech, told Auto Express that high pump prices for petrol and diesel are not as closely linked to the price of crude as might be expected. While the barrel price has contributed to rising pump prices, it’s a shortage of refining capacity and low inventories of refined fuel that have led to a spectacular rise in the margin between petrol and diesel pump products and the cost of raw crude – a gap referred to in the oil business as ‘the crack’. “What most people fail to understand…

New tech for next BMW infotainment BMW is the latest car maker to confirm it will adopt Android Automotive OS, Google’s operating system for in-car infotainment. It joins Polestar, Volvo and Renault in using Android Automotive, and BMW says that it will build a version of OS 8 based on the Google software for integration into ‘certain model series’ from March 2023. Other cars will continue using the Linux-based interface. Counting the cost of vehicle theft VEHICLE thefts in England and Wales cost insurers £1.44billion in 2021, compared with £360million in 2006. Home Office figures analysed by Claims Management and Adjusting show that only 28 per cent of the 101,198 vehicles stolen in 2021 were recovered. In comparison, 80 per cent of the circa 180,000 vehicles stolen in 2006 were…

@DeanGbsn IT’S been away for two years, but the Volkswagen Amarok has finally returned as an all-new model focusing on the premium end of the pick-up market. The new Amarok has been co-developed with the Ford Ranger, but the two models are very distinct in terms of their style; everything bar the windscreen and roof is different, even the doors. The VW’s exterior styling is still chunky, like its predecessor, while inside, the Virtual Cockpit digital dash and portrait-style touchscreen are shared with the Ranger, but other areas of the cabin have been given a premium edge. The steering wheel is similar to that found in VW’s passenger cars, while the Amarok will use VW’s own infotainment system, which includes climate controls within the large touchscreen. Volkswagen has said there…

THE following provide help with motoring problems. Some services are free, others charge a fee or operate on premium-rate lines (p), while some offer advice for members only (m) Legal AA: 0345 850 1130 (m) RAC: 0330 159 1446 (m) Citizens Advice Consumer helpline: 03454 040506 Local Trading Standards Local Citizens Advice Bureau Used car inspections AA: 0800 056 8040 RAC: 0330 159 0720 Technical advice AA: 0370 142 0002 (m) Driving licences DVLA: 0300 790 6801 Car registration/history HPI: 0113 222 2010 AA: 0800 316 3564 DVLA: 0300 790 6802 RAC: 0808 164 1923 Traffic information AA: 0906 888 4322 RAC: 09003 444999 (p) Problems with dealers The Motor Ombudsman: 0345 241 3008 Consumer Ombudsman: www.consumer-ombudsman.org RMIF: 0845 305 4230 Scottish Motor Trade Assoc. 0131 331 5510 Problems with…

ABC (ALWAYS BE CHARGING) Especially on early EVs with smaller batteries, it pays to charge little and often. Be that at home, work, or on the road, plugging in whenever you can could save you the unwanted stress of running out of charge. REGENERATIVE BRAKES Almost every EV has a regenerative braking system that feeds power back into the battery when the car is slowing down or coasting. You can often increase the strength, too, limiting the energy lost when you press the brakes. SERVICING It’s true that electric cars often need less regular maintenance than petrol or diesel models, but it’s still important to stay on top of servicing. Stick to the schedules and an EV should outlive its equivalent ICE car thanks to fewer moving parts. BATTERY MANAGEMENT…

@ashrafoncars Performance 0-62mph/top speed 10.8 seconds/101mph Running costs 59.8mpg (official) £80 fill-up “It prioritises pure-electric running at low speeds, making for smooth, near-silent progress in town” THE Kia Niro has been a hit for the firm, with more than 70,000 finding homes in the UK since its launch in 2016. Like the EV, this new full-hybrid version is designed to build upon the value, tech and practicality that made the original model so successful. Priced from £27,745, it’s also the most affordable new Niro, but whichever version you pick, the design is more adventurous than before. It looks broadly the same as the Niro EV and PHEV, while the new shared K3 platform improves safety, dynamics and refinement compared with its predecessor. It’s also grown in every direction, which means…

@AxleIngram WHEN many see space as something of a luxurious virtue in itself, does this new top-spec Honda Jazz EX Style represent a perfect match for the hybrid supermini? As you’d expect, this top-spec model is generously equipped. From the outside, it’s distinguished by unique 16-inch alloys, a contrasting black roof and door mirrors, plus an extended rear spoiler. Inside, the Jazz is equally well appointed. The seats are trimmed in part-cloth and leather upholstery, while those in the front are heated, as is the steering wheel. The fabrics feel suitably smart, and the responsive touchscreen is backed up by a digital instrument panel. But while it feels well built, it doesn’t look or feel as nice inside as a Skoda Fabia or Renault Clio. This new trim level has…

MODELTESTED: Toyota bZ4X 160kW AWD Motion PRICE: £50,180 POWERTRAIN: E-motor/75kWh battery, 215bhp THE Toyota bZ4X is an all-electric crossover available with front or four-wheel drive. The former version has a little less power, but all models use the same battery pack. It’s the AWD model we’re testing here, and in Motion trim it costs £50,180. Running costs 3.4 miles/kWh (on test) £21 charge/£0 or 2% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 452 litres/N/A Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.9 seconds/99mph Design & engineering THE bZ4X uses Toyota’s eTNGA platform. As is commonplace with many electric cars, its battery is placed structurally under the floor, which helps keep the centre of gravity low. This chassis is related to the platform that underpins the RAV4 and C-HR SUVs, so the bZ4X benefits from similar in-car…

Toyota bZ4X 12.3-inch touchscreen Key features: MyT smartphone app OUR Motion-spec bZ4X came with the larger of two screens. Lower-spec cars have an eight-inch unit, but this is the full 12.3-inch model. It sits high on the dash but is also integrated into the centre console, which is a nice touch. There’s a secure spot for your phone when it’s charging using the wireless pad or plugged into the USB port for access to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The screen is much more responsive and looks better than systems in past Toyota models. It’s great to see progress in this area, but there’s still a little more lag when using the menus than in the Hyundai. The icons are big, though, so it’s relatively easy to see what you’re…

SAVE 43% ON THE SHOP PRICE After your initial 6 issue trial, your subscription will continue at £26.99 every 13 issues representing a saving of 43% on the shop price. FREE DELIVERY Never miss an issue with every copy delivered straight to your doorstep. FULLY FLEXIBLE You are able to cancel at any time using a dedicated customer portal or by getting in touch. There are more options than ever to subscribe to Auto Express with both print and digital versions available, or perhaps you’d like a combination of both, the choice is yours OK I’M IN! HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? 1 ORDER ONLINE AT autoexpress.co.uk/subscribe (or call 0330 333 9491 if you prefer the human touch). 2 ENTER THE OFFER CODE DJUL22 and select the offer you’d like to take.…

YOU certainly can’t accuse DS of holding back with the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense. The shape might be conventional compact SUV, with a dash of coupé-SUV around the rear end, but all the details do add some character. There’s that big grille and the moustache-style running lights at the front, the intricate diamond-pattern rear lights, a load of chrome and the elaborate Tokyo alloy wheels on our Rivoli-trim car. There’s a lot going on. Inside, there’s more of that boldness bordering on excess, with yards of leather, much of it quilted, a BRM clock that folds out of the centre of the dash, and an abundance of metallic finishes. Not everyone is going to prefer this somewhat busy ethos to the more clinical approach of the German alternatives, but some…

Got a query? products@autoexpress.co.uk Q Interior trim protection I DO lots of trips to the recycling centre with garden and DIY waste, and my Skoda Kodiaq is starting to mark up here and there. What’s the best way to protect the interior trim? Colin Longman A THERE are several designs of boot liner which cover the load bay and sides, and some that can be configured to cover trim when the seats are folded down. An alternative is the Bootpac (above), which creates a leakproof cocoon within the rear of the car. It’s currently available at the discounted price of £75 at bootpac.biz. Q Seasonally adjust inflation? WHEN setting my tyre pressures, it says they should be done cold. Now it’s summer and the weather is hot, does this make…

JUST as technology from a Mercedes S-Class will eventually filter down to the humblest hatchback, dash cams with the capability to capture incredibly high-res 4K footage have dropped from £1,000 a few years ago to less than £200 now. These can capture impressive detail, which could be crucial in the event of an incident. A new product from MIOFIVE has just gone on sale and it appears to offer 4K footage and all the other features we rate as essential in a camera. But what’s interesting is the price – under £150, with 64GB of memory. That’s less than half the price of our benchmark, the Nextbase 622GW with the same-size SD card. The nearest-priced 4K camera is the £199 Kenwood DRV-A601W. The MIOFIVE is very impressive and comes very…

CO2/tax 92-112g/km £155 Running costs 57-68mpg (1.5 hybrid) £69 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 9.7 seconds/108mph TOYOTA was one of the first Japanese brands to bring its products to the UK, way back in the mid-sixties. Within less than three decades it had established its own manufacturing base here, in Derbyshire, and from there things took off. Famed for its good reliability, Toyota has been criticised a lot over the years for its unadventurous styling and bland dynamics. The original Yaris was a case in point, even though it was the 2000 European Car of the Year – a feat that the Mk4 version replicated in 2021. However, by this point Toyota’s supermini was much more rounded, with its more engaging driving experience and far more eye-catching exterior design. Even better,…

Visit carbuyer.co.uk for all the latest data plus indepth car reviews and videos HOW OUR GUIDE WORKS PERFORMANCE: This is the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration time for a car, and is measured from 0-60mph or 0-62mph (0-100kph), in seconds. ECONOMY/EMISSIONS/RANGE: Combined WLTP economy in miles per gallon, emissions in grams per kilometre of CO2 and maximum claimed range for EVs. Figures are achieved in the latest WLTP tests, but will vary according to equipment and are unlikely to be representative of everyday efficiency. INSURANCE: Group rating as quoted by the Association of British Insurers. WARRANTY: Next to each manufacturer’s name is the basic warranty period in months and miles for the mechanicals, corrosion and paintwork. EVs and hybrids will have dedicated battery cover. LIST PRICE: This is the on-the-road figure and…

● Pier Guidi handles first shakedown at Fiorano ● WEC and Le Mans debut in 2023 “Ferrari has yet to confirm what engine its Hypercar contender will run” FERRARI’S new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) racer has made its on-track debut at the Italian team’s Fiorano test circuit. The as-yet-unnamed car was piloted by factory GT drivers Alessandro Pier Guidi and Nicklas Nielsen for its first shakedown run, during which it remained in a camouflage livery. Although Ferrari hasn’t yet named the drivers for its 2023 World Endurance Championship (WEC) campaign, this is a strong indication that the Italian and Dane will form a part of the line-up. Also yet to be confirmed is what engine the Ferrari LMH contender will be running, beyond the fact that the car will use…

SMALL cars have been the bedrock of Britain’s car-buying habits for decades. Our tight towns and cities, and narrow lanes mean these models are well suited to Blighty. But what’s the future for them as the world turns towards costlier EVs and makers look to maximise their profits? We’ve taken a look at all the brands that currently make small models – and where they’ll be in the future. A to Z GUIDE TO SMALL CARS ABARTH ABARTH takes Fiat’s 500 and turns it into a hot compact model – and that’ll continue in the EV era. CEO Oliver Francois told us: “Abarth is 500, and the current 500 is born electric – and then there are other models coming [from Fiat], so Abarth will have a derivative of one…

@AllieCrooks TOYOTA has revealed an updated version of its Highlander SUV that features new tech on board. The refresh includes the latest version of the Toyota Smart Connect+ multimedia system. Its screen grows to 12.3 inches, to match the specification offered in left-hand-drive Highlander markets. Along with the larger display, it includes expanded cloud-based satellite navigation with real-time traffic information and an on-board voice command system, similar to sister firm Lexus’s set-up (below). A four-year data plan is included in the price. The cloud system can also operate the car’s central locking and hazard lights, and perform over-the-air updates. Apple CarPlay features wireless connectivity, but Android Auto users have to use a wired connection. The instrumentation goes fully digital, too, courtesy of a 12.3-inch display that features customisable themes. The…

CELEBRATING the success of its iconic 5 supermini – and before the new Renault 5 EV goes on sale in 2024 – Renault has revealed a new electric restomod concept car called 5 Diamant, featuring a recycled marble steering wheel and hand-woven horsehair fabric for the dashboard. The car’s powertrain has been replaced with a battery and an electric motor, while the styling has also been subtly updated with features such as new gem-like lights that sit proud of the bonnet, plus a three-layer paint job, made up of golden pigments on a pink base with frosted varnish on top. The concept also features a fingerprint scanner to unlock the doors.…

@AutoExpress FROM: Oliver Bennett MG has proven it can make good electric cars and I have no doubt the 4 will be a strong competitor. What concerns me is the likelihood it won’t cost much less than £28,000; that’s a lot for what should be a run-of-the-mill hatchback. FROM: Steven Hedgley NOT sure why the base model needs 167bhp. An official range of 217 miles will probably equal 150 miles in the real world if driving in winter at motorway speeds. More range and less power should be the focus here. Join the debate at www.autoexpress.co.uk ■ “The problem with new MGs is every model looks different; there’s no design continuity.”Mart Sparky ■ “Cars like this are bereft of emotion. They’re all about recharge times, like a smartphone.”Peter Hess ■…

BMW i3 FROM £12,995 WITH a carbon-fibre chassis, 50kW rapid charging, Tardis-like packaging and typical BMW handling, the i3 was just what buyers wanted in a small EV – 10 years ago. The electric city car has just gone out of production, but there’s plenty of choice on the used market. Our advice would be to buy as new a car as you can afford; later models got a bigger battery for vastly improved range. TESLA MODEL S FROM £30,000 THE original long-range electric car, the Model S’s popularity has been far surpassed by the much cheaper Model 3 in recent years, but this is where the Tesla story truly started. Boosted by the fantastic Supercharger charging network, few EVs are as easy to live with. Quality can leave a…

Running costs 156.9mpg (official) £90 fill-up Performance 0-62mph/top speed 6.1 seconds/140mph BMW’s 5 Series is a perennial high achiever. Only last week (Issue 1,737) it scooped a class win and a commendation at the annual Auto Express New Car Awards – and the updated 530e Touring is one of the most appealing models in the line-up. It mixes practicality and huge efficiency potential, not to mention great driving dynamics combined with comfort and refinement. Plus there’s the impressive infotainment and tech that have come to characterise the Bavarian firm’s best models. We’ll start with the bodystyle, the point that defines the Touring. In estate form, the 5 Series plug-in hybrid offers 430 litres of space; it’s some way down on the regular 530 Touring’s 560 litres, but then, packaging a…

MODELTESTED: Volkswagen ID.4 GTX PRICE: £51,580 POWERTRAIN: 82kWh battery, 295bhp Running costs 3.4 miles/kWh (on test) £23 recharge/£0 or 2% tax Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 543/1,575 litres Performance 0-62mph/top speed 5.1 seconds/114mph THE Volkswagen ID.4 GTX is the top-spec version of the ID.4, and it starts from £51,580. That makes it the most expensive car here, while the model we tested had options to bring that price to £55,175; the Kings Red paint on its own adds £825. Design & engineering UNDER the beefed-up styling of the sportiest ID.4 model is the VW Group’s MEB architecture. As with the Hyundai, it’s a platform that was designed specifically for electric cars from the outset. There’s a 77kWh battery under the floor, which provides a claimed range of 299 miles – although…

1st HYUNDAI THE Ioniq 5 is still one of the most convincing electric cars you can buy. Even if its bold looks haven’t already won you over, there’s a spacious, well equipped cabin, strong performance and great comfort. It’s cheaper than its rivals here while also being better equipped; it has the fastest charging rate, plenty of driving range and slick in-car tech. Overall, it’s a very strong package and one that’s hard to fault. 2nd TOYOTA IT’S an odd name, but the bZ4X is a great car. Its ride and handling balance is the best here, it’s got enough performance for most and has decent charging capability. It’s down on range next to its rivals – albeit only by about 20 miles in the real world – but it’s well equipped,…

Electric vehicle Official range/max charging 182 miles/100kW DC Practicality Boot (seats up/down) 775/2,107 litres IT seems that I’m a fair-weather EV driver. After initial doubts when our Citroen e-Berlingo turned up back in frosty February, I’ve been well and truly converted by our brilliant boxy electric vehicle. The Citroen is lovingly referred to as the ‘ice cream van’ in my family, and its beauty is very definitely in the eye of the beholder. We’ve often been reminded by friends and neighbours that “it’s no looker”. However, as the temperatures have risen in line with the price of petrol, I’ve been quietly content to plug in at home and get 165 miles of range for £12-£14. In fact, if I run the e-Berlingo around town using the eco setting and maximise…

Pocket Eyewitness: Cars DK Children, dk.com Price: £4.99 Rating: DK’S tiny pocket books are popular with kids. There’s a good mix of information in bitesized chunks, perfect for the young enthusiast. Some of it feels a little dated, though, so don’t expect your child to gain much knowledge about in-car AI or the latest battery tech. Racing Through Europe David Tremayne (Palawan Press, palawan.co.uk) Price: £500 Rating: WITH that price, it’s one for the serious book-lover only. Still, the content goes as far as it can to justifying that cost. After a short foreword from Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, you’ll find page after page of fantastic images from renowned photographer Brian Joscelyne taken in a golden age of motor racing, from 1962-72. Blocky Roads Available for: iOS, Android Price: Free…

Got any car queries? Tristan_Shale-Hester@autovia.co.uk Q Driving standards of L-plate delivery riders shocked me I’VE recently moved to London for work and noticed a huge number of delivery drivers on mopeds with L-plates. Their riding standards are often appalling. How can they be licensed to ride for business with such poor roadcraft? Philip Oak, E-mail A ANYONE completing their CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) can ride a power-limited motorbike up to 125cc, with the only conditions being they must use L-plates, not carry passengers and stay off the motorway. The CBT only takes a day to complete and there is no written test involved; riders simply need to be able to perform basic manoeuvres. As such, they can earn a CBT in a day and start riding for work. Q How…

BRITAIN, the greatest place on Earth? Don’t be daft. True, outgoing PM Boris Johnson said as much – but then this is a man who’s long had a troubled and imaginative relationship with the truth. In the years he performed his tragically comedic, panto-like Prime Minister impersonations, he also played his part in not making Britain the greatest. But plenty of other people and negative factors – from iffy fellow politicians to badly broken road and public transport ‘systems’ – have also held us back. Other major problems – the crumbling economy, ongoing environmental and energy crises, imploding NHS, housing woes, policing issues, continued social injustice, lousy infrastructure, poor industrial relations and output – are guilty as charged, too. Our ‘clean, green, pleasant land’ label is in danger of being…