Luca De Meo is up to big things over at Alfa Romeo – he has a firm plan in place to try to make us all fall in love with Alfas.  Will it work?  Well, possibly, possibly not.  If they can keep churning out cars that look as good as the GT and the Brera but then handle just that little bit better (or are slightly less heavy in the case of the Brera) I think they’ll be on to a winner.  So what about that Mi.To that everyone’s talking about?

Aside from the funny name, this is a proper, serious car.  There are clearly some styling cues from the 8C, something that is a very beautiful car in its own right.  Clarkson thought it was a work of art.  Does it translate as well to this dinky little hatch?  Unfortunately not.  Nonetheless, the bulging arches and sweeping curves give it a charm of its own.

Will it be fun though?  Well, it has a ‘DNA’ electronics system that monitors and alters various stuff such as engine, suspension, steering and brakes to ensure you’re getting the most out of the car (with three settings of Dynamic, Normal and All-Weather).  There’s also Dynamic Steering Torque, to put more power on the road.  Finally, a complicated system called Q2 that can apply extra braking under hard cornering and provides even better traction.

There’s a range of engines on offer too, from a 1.3 litre diesel all the way to the not-yet-available 1.8 turbo petrol model – this will kick out more than 200bhp.  Will you want that one?  I should guess so, yes.  I mean this is an Alfa right?  This last one is the GTA model, and they’ve always been the ones in my mind at least that you should hunt out.

Here’s what Alfa themselves have to say:
On the road, the sharp handling will reward customers with an impressive blend of performance and fuel economy from all five engines offered at the launch phase – three petrol and two diesel – coupled to six speed gearboxes (except for the 1.4 TB 120 bhp).

The MiTo goes on sale early next year, with pre-ordering beginning in October. Prices start at £10,975 OTR for the entry level 1.4 16V 95 bhp Turismo, and rise to £14,975 for the 1.4 TB 155 bhp Veloce.

I reckon this little car will be an absolute hoot to drive – whether people will buy it in light of Alfa’s reputation remains to be seen.  A future classic though?  I’m not sure.  Maybe it has the makings of a new ‘mini’ thing going on.  Alfa Romeo however always manages to split the crowd right down the middle.  I guess we’ll have to wait and see if they have it just right this time.

Well, if you’re a fan of motors you’ll have some respect for the Mini, even if it’s not your bag. I know this, because we’re a nation of Mini lovers apparently. Or so says MSN’s Bangernomics poll anyway. Do you agree? Well here’s what they had to say:

MSN Cars’ Bangernomics poll celebrates our love of second hand motors

Britain zoomed ahead in the recent British Grand Prix and now a poll of 3,500 Brits by MSN Cars (www.msn.co.uk/cars) has revealed that British is best in the world of second hand classic motoring as our own Mini Cooper steams to the top of the list of our favourite classic used car of all time.
With 53% of the votes, the little run around zooms ahead of the German-made VW Golf MK2 (41%) and the Italian Fiat Punto (3%) as the classic starter vehicle we’d buy above all others.

With new car sales continuing to decline as Britain’s credit-fuelled binge comes to an end, MSN Cars has commissioned the study into Britain’s love of the second hand motor to highlight a rising trend coined ‘Bangernomics’ – the process of saving money by buying a second hand car and running it for next to nothing.

Classic Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson’s encyclopaedic knowledge and opinionated manner make him the companion Brits would most want to accompany them when buying a used car with 48% of the votes, followed by 5th Gear’s Tiff Needall (23%), James May (17%) and Lewis Hamilton (4%).

And if we could buy a classic used vehicle from the world of film and TV, the UK wins again with Bond’s Aston Martin DBS top of our list (56%), and Knight Rider’s 80s classic K.I.T.T, Batman’s Batmobile and Del Boy’s battered Robin Reliant a few laps behind with 18%, 11% and 4% of the votes respectively.

Dodgy Dealers
Unfortunately some of us are still put off buying a second hand car due to the legacy of untrustworthy salesmen, with 37% fearing we’ll be ripped off by disreputable dealers.
This image of used car salesman isn’t helped by car experts portrayed on British soaps with 88% saying they would never trust EastEnders’ legendary car dealer Frank Butcher or Corrie cab mechanic, Kevin Webster for used car advice.

Bangernomics
In the current economic downturn, Brits are increasingly abandoning the purchase of brand new vehicles as 44% of us recognise that with cars losing their value the moment they leave the forecourt, we’re likely to get a better deal with a second hand purchase.

James Ruppert, motoring guru who first coined the phrase ‘Bangernomics’, comments, “If you do your homework you can easily get yourself a good, reliable car for very little money and with cars being manufactured to such a high standard, this has never been truer. Couple this with the current economy crisis and there has never been a better time to come onboard and join the Bangernomics revolution!”

Tom Evans, Content Manager, MSN Cars says: “It’s fantastic that British made cars have topped our poll, our readers clearly have very good taste! MSN Cars Bangernomics is the best place to find out what makes a great used car and what can go wrong. Share your experiences and passion for good value and cars with character that won’t cost a fortune to run.” Visit MSN here

I must say, I was pleased to be at the launch of the Renault Koleos when I was up in Scotland.  However, I found the looks of the thing uninspiring, whilst the massive size and sheer bulk put me off.  I have now come around though, to believing that it has a certain Gallic charm all of its’ own.  Granted, you might not agree – but just remember exactly what I thought earlier on.

So why might you like it?  Well, it’s a four by four (4×4) crossover.  That means lower fuel consumption than a standard four wheel drive off roader, whilst also having the good looks of a more sports oriented vehicle.  Does it live up to the brief?  Well, I’m not so sure about that.  To be honest, it’s a bit more luxury than your standard crossover – dare I say it, in this land of almost-recession, a little bit of luxury.

Here are some of the features that make it stand out from the crowd:

* Segment leading visibility, forward field of vision and rear
* Best in-category interior modularity with a Super-Fold system to make sure the space is versatile
* Soft leather seats
* Top of the range Bose sound system
* A 450 litre boot space with ski holding placement system
* ESP and Brake Assist
* All mode 4×4 i system for maximum control
* Panoramic transparent sunroof
* Sat nav with full colour mapping system
* Soundproofing and acoustic windscreen
* Bi-xenon headlamps and cornering headlights with washers
* Front(!) and rear parking sensors

Take a good look at that list.  How many of those does your car have?  I’ll tell you about how it matches with mine – I have none of those luxuries.  Again, an odd fit in these times.  Therefore, I have a strong feeling that yummy mummies the land over will love this.  That is, if they can accept a new ugly child into their family.  However, once you’re in there, it’s likely to be a place you’re perfectly happy to be in.  It’ll cocoon you like few other cars.

The Koleos is available with the strong Dynamique dCi 150 engine emitting 191 CO2(g/km).  Fuel consumption is average at 34mpg and it has an on the road price new of around £18,000.  More information is available at the official Renault site.

If you’re tired of Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini what else should you buy, assuming you want raw power?  Well, you’ve got a range such as Spyker, Ariel, Caterham, Morgan and Koenigsegg.  However, only one of them really goes the whole way - designing something that for my mind looks like it has come from 20 years into the future.  That brand is Pagani.

They have truly outdone themselves in this case too.  The Pagani Zonda Cinque is special.  Let’s just put that out there.  It is special first of all as it is a homolgation of sorts, between the F and the R, to create a road going sports monster.  What else makes it special?  Well, as the name suggests, only five of them will be made.  To top that, it’ll cost £1 million and will arrive to the lucky respective five owners in June next year.

What about performance?  Well 0-60 is taken care of in less than 3.5 seconds and the engine outputs 678bhp.  This means that the body needs to generate the extra downforce to keep you on the road - whilst you’ll need a strong neck to cope with the potential 1.45g of cornering force.  Top speed meanwhile is in excess of 200mph.

In these days of the green meanie (or the angry eco warrior), the Pagani Zonda Cinque is a real achievement.  It is special.  I don’t care that you have to warm the 7.3 litre engine up for five minutes before using it, nor that the limited run means that you and I will probably never see one in person.  The fact remains that it is simply a stunning feat of engineering - one that should be respected as almost perfect.  What would make it better?  Well, I’m always happy to get exclusive test drives for Car Articles…

I’m sure that you’ll be interested to hear that I’ve made it through the first rounds of the Vauxhall racing competition, the VXR Racing Driver Of The Year 2008. Naturally, I was both surprised and happy when I got the email from Vauxhall stating that I’d made it through and my semi-final event is due to take place on September 6th at Raceland Edinburgh.

So, let’s take a look at the email I got from them:
‘You’ve got this far so you should be pretty confident, but the semi-final will be the perfect opportunity for you to show us your driving skills and prove that you’ve got what it takes to be our VXR Racing Driver of the Year 2008. Racing round a track with a bunch of fantastic drivers will be a lot of fun too!

Please be advised that VXR PR company - RSM, may be in touch with you to ask you some questions about the competition and possibly involve you in some publicity.

So - in preparation for the day, please have a look through our frequently asked questions below:

Can I wear my own suit/helmet/boots?
You are not permitted to wear you own suits or helmets unfortunately, due to filming regulations. These items will be provided. You are able to wear your own boots.

How long will it last?
This depends on how well you do! If you are first to race in your session and you get through to the Grand Prix you will be at the circuit approx 3 hours. This is the maximum time you will need to be at the circuit.

What documentation do I need to bring?
Passport and both parts of a driving licence should be submitted by each semi-finalist on the day.

Can I bring a friend to spectate?
Yes, friends and family will be welcome to cheer you on.

Can my spectators compete?
Only if they have registered and are lucky enough to get through to the semi-finals.

Can I change venue?
We will do our best to accommodate venue changes however this will be dependent on venue numbers.’

Frankly, I’m surprised that there wasn’t more information included, but then I’m sure that they’ll send out a pack or further information closer to the time. Am I excited? You bet. Due to ongoing concerns I wanted to arrive dressed like The Stig (to remain suitably anonymous) but unfortunately that’s not to be the case as outlined above.

So, if you have made it through as I have and you’re off to Raceland Edinburgh on 6th September, then do watch out for me. I’ll be somewhat akin to James May – going quite slowly and possibly at the back, muttering about how racing is good fun but better enjoyed at a more leisurely pace! On a more serious note, I’m getting geared up for it now. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to drive the track beforehand (putting me at a serious technical disadvantage) but it’s simply too far away.

My preparation for the race includes:
* Ensuring I am fit, healthy and well for the race by getting regular exercise
* Driving challenging routes in my own car
* Using the local go-kart centre
* Reading tips such as this one for reference
* Making sure that I know where the track is and my car is prepped for the (reasonably long) journey up North

Naturally, I will keep you all updated and post any questions that I have – perhaps we have a budding (or in fact actual) racing driver who is a regular at www.cararticles.co.uk? If anyone reading has previously entered the VXR competition I’d love to hear from them too.

If you’re a regular commuter by a mode of transport other than car (or perhaps you have a chauffeur), you may have already read the article that tickled my funny-bone when on the way to work this morning.  It was an absolute, and I mean absolute, classic.  Whilst the government is spending all this hard earned cash on telling us what to do in order to avoid putting out more CO2 than we need to, an overwhelming majority are remaining absolutely bloody clueless.  What do I mean by that?

Let’s put it this way.  Four percent of us think a hybrid car is two cars welded together.  If you’re one of them can I just quickly say “Oh my lord”.  As James May might say, “What a clot”.  I’m sorry, but you are.  Unless of course you were joking.  In which case, I might let you off.  I just have a horrible feeling that you aren’t though.  Let me be clear on this, a car made from two vehicles is called a ‘cut and shut’, is incredibly dangerous and absolutely illegal.  A hybrid car however normally means a car with a petrol engine and an electric engine.  Therefore hybrid as it has two types of power.

Amazingly though, there are the same percentage of people who are firmly entrenched in their belief that those wonderful new electric cars leak battery acid.  How much?  Who knows.  I hope it doesn’t just dangerously spurt all over the road.  Those who think that hydrogen cars produce water are at least partially right though (they also produce some heat).

Most worrying of all for the government is the 25 percent of people who believe that biofuel cars will produce no CO2 at all.  Ironic given that all our petrol is now a ‘bit’ bio-fuel (5% is still from crop sources, unless the government have backtracked on that as well) yet my car still produces the same amount of CO2, I’m sure yours does too.

What about our carbon footprint?  Well, frankly it’s a ridiculous term and far too hard a ‘sell’ for most people.  I’m not surprised that 85 percent of people have no idea what their car’s emissions are.  Who cares?  Well, some people do thanks to the road tax hike.  For a lot of people though, this is still simply a non-issue.  I suppose the irony of surveys in general was shown up in the last statement of the report (from the British Motor Show): 70 percent of people want to reduce their emissions.  A bit weird isn’t it then that 85 percent have no idea how much CO2 their car puts out?

Of course I’m talking about the latest Lotus – the Eagle.  In a Porsche rivalling move, this is their new 2+2, that’s fully ready to take on the Porsche Cayman (though not the pricier 911).  So what sort of powerplant do you get for your circa £45,000 hard earned cash?  Naturally, sir will be wanting a 3.5litre V6 with 276bhp.

The wheelbase of this incredible looking machine is 280mm longer than the Elise (which leaves one wondering if this is a permanent replacement for the aging car), that gives rise to enough room for 2 rear seats.  I assume that these will be similar to other 2+2’s, in other words just about bearable if you’re ten years old or younger – otherwise you might just prefer to walk.  Rumour has it that the boot space is reasonable too – just don’t expect to fit more than a few bags of shopping (or apparently one set of golf clubs) in there.

What about the interior of the car?  Well, to be fair, Lotus is not known for their high quality dashboards, but then that’s not what their machines are about.  Nonetheless, the Eagle should be one of the most luxurious cars they have ever made, with a touchscreen sat nav with connectivity for your iPod and Bluetooth.  There should also be soft touch plastics where necessary and hopefully swathes of leather too, given the price hike over even an Exige.

The big V6 has been sourced directly from Toyota, which should mean a pretty good state of reliability, even with British weather and wear.  However, modifications have been implemented by Lotus that sees the addition of variable valve timing – something that I’m quite a fan of.  Essentially, it means that you should have greater efficiency and power when on the gas.  Can’t be bad now can it?  If you’ve driven a Celica you’ll have experienced VVT.  The Lotus Elise 111S also has VVT (quite a few other cars do too for a more even power/torque split).

What about performance?  Well, as is the trend these days, the thing is going to be shuttled around the Nurburgring until the guys at Hethel are happy that this aspect of the car matches the frankly astonishing looks.  Rumour has it that there’ll be a 0-60 sprint implemented of less than 4 seconds; meanwhile you’ll be able to race all the way up to and beyond 160.  Mind you, top speed is never the objective in a mean Lotus like this.  You’d have to have nuts of sold, 440 stainless to manage that.

A prototype is going to be shown at the British Motor Show, as well as the name of the vehicle that for the meantime remains to be the Lotus Eagle.  With six more months of development and spring 2009 before first order, this is one car that folks should be awaiting with baited breath.  I know I am.

It of course comes back to the question of Lotus.  What does it mean?  Well until you drive one, you’ll never know.  It means, at least for me, a pure, unadulterated, driving experience.  It isn’t watered down and it won’t pander to your whims.  You’re slung low, the car hard-charges through the gears and if you have any passion for driving at all you’ll spend almost all the journey with a big grin on your face.  So do I think that this will be special?  Damn right.  There’s even somewhere to put the groceries when you take it to Asda.

There’s a town in the UK that has seen Gatsos – seen them, had them and had enough.  I’m of course talking about the recent furore in Swindon.  What’s the problem?  Well apparently civic leaders don’t raise a single penny from the £400,000 cost of the cameras that are in and around the area in their jurisdiction.

There’s also talk that it is being seen (unfairly perhaps) as a ‘blatant tax’ on drivers.  Naturally, with that sort of name, the local government is keen to put the money into other road schemes such as sleeping policemen (road humps) and vehicle activated speed signs (whoa scary!!).

Hmmm, not sure I agree with this one.  Almost everyone seems to slow down in case they get a fine, however does everyone slow?  I get the feeling that some out there (perhaps in their Subaru Imprezas or similar) think “look, I managed to get it up to 52 that time!” but it could just be me.

Swindon is a conservative-run council that operates 16 fixed speed cameras, three red light cameras, eight mobile vans and three speed-gun equipped bikes.  Last year, 30,000 motorists were ticketed, generating revenue of £1.76 million pounds.  That’s quite a lot of money, I’m sure you’ll agree.  Let’s look at the math.  1.76 million divided by 30,000 is about £59 quid each.

However, the organisation that runs the cameras, the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership, said that the amount of deaths that have occurred has been cut by two thirds.  Putting that in perspective, it starts to make a lot more sense.  Especially when serious injuries have also been significantly reduced.

Cllr Peter Greenhalgh is the civic leader behind the scheme to remove the speed cameras.  Do I agree with him?  Well, as a motorist I should take the stereotypical view that speed cameras are universally bad.  However, in this case, I can’t – at least not in good conscience.  Simply put, this does sound a little like the Cllr in question is annoyed because his ward pays the money out, yet sees nothing in return.  However, I for one see a huge reduction in death and serious injury well worth paying for.  Perhaps he would be less annoyed if some of that £1.76 million went the council’s way?

There’s no doubt that speed cameras are a great way in which to control people’s speed.  There’s also no doubt that in a lot of cases they aren’t necessary.  Is this one of them though?  I’m not convinced, at least not until there’s more evidence as to why they should be removed.  Sometimes, money isn’t the most important thing.

Well, this weekend was the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend as I had some other commitments (motoring ones, funnily enough, such as taking a look at an M3) but I thought as it’s such a classic event I should really give you all some information about it.

As Goodwood themselves say:

The Festival of Speed is far more than just a hillclimb – it is a celebration of the history of motor sport and can justifiably claim to be the world’s biggest and most diverse classic motor sports event. Taking place outside Goodwood House, using the main road through the Park as the track, it’s the only occasion where you’ll see in action the greatest competition cars and star drivers from the entire history of motor sport.

Famous drivers and riders have attended such as Sir Stirling Moss, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Nigel Mansell, Mika Hakkinen, Johnny Herbert, Juan Pablo Montoya, Richard Petty, Carl Fogarty, Giacomo Agostini, Troy Corser, Troy Bayliss, Jean Alesi, Jacky Ickx, Marcus Gronholm, Petter Solberg, Hannu Mikkola and Alan Jones to name just a few. The Festival is an unrivalled social and sporting occasion in the motor racing calendar.

Ten Top Tips to get the most from the Festival of Speed:

From 25,000 visitors at the inaugural 1993 event, attendance at the Festival of Speed has grown to accommodate 150,000 visitors each year.

The Festival is supported by around 29 sponsors and associate sponsors, including more than fourteen car and motorcycle manufacturers, plus some of the biggest names in technology, lifestyle, publishing and luxury goods.

324 journalists and 210 photographers from 102 publications reported on the 2007 Festival of Speed.

Programmes and news items from 22 television stations and 12 radio stations worldwide broadcast before, during and after the 2007 Festival of Speed.

Press features on the Festival of Speed were reported in 28 different countries.

Over 200 cars took to the hill during the Festival of Speed in 2007, along with 45 road and racing motorcycles. In addition, more than 30 cars tackled the Forest Rally Stage and 40 cars took part in the Cartier Style et Luxe.

30 historic racing cars, worth a total of $25 million, were transported to the UK specifically to take part in the Festival of Speed in 2007. However, this doesn’t include the 5 Bugatti Type 41 Royales, originally built by Ettore Bugatti exclusively for Royalty and heads of state, which are estimated to be worth around $60million in total.

52,300 private cars parked at the venue during the course of the 2007 Festival; if lined up nose to tail, the ensuing traffic jam would stretch 148 miles.

Some 1400 marshals ensure the safety of both competitors and spectators.

Building the temporary hillclimb course takes around 2000 man hours of labour, and a further 1200 man hours to dismantle it again. At least as many man hours again are devoted to erecting the marquees and exhibition stands.

9.5km of protective straw bales have to be laid out, totalling some 4000 bales weighting 1400 tonnes - these are held in place by 5500 timber stakes which, if laid end to end, would stretch 11km.

More than 7km of temporary roadway is laid down in the park.

More than 2000 acres of grassland is mown over three months in preparation for the Festival of Speed.

At the 2007 Festival, 3000 catering staff served 59,000 sandwiches, 49,000 hot drinks, 58,000 pints of beer and 496 cases of wine. More than 1810 bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne were drunk by visitors and guests, kept cool by 6.5 tonnes of ice.

To view the action film of the Goodwood FoS click here.

The picture is (obviously) a mobile phone.  What I can never understand is why it’s always someone in a new Merc, Porsche or BMW that is behind the wheel nattering away with the handset cradled to their ear.  Perhaps they think they’re above the law, like the woman with a 206 who lives near my mother.  She does the same.  So, I guess it’s less about what you drive and more about your attitude to safety.  So, here’s a few recommendations for you regarding your mobile and driving:

Can I use my earpiece and wire with my mobile?
A hands free kit consisting of a wire and earpiece would only be legal if you did not have to touch the phone to dial a number or take a call. If your phone has voice recognition or Bluetooth capabilities you should use these and pre-programme numbers into your phone. Remember that trailing wires may cause a hazard whilst driving.

What about fully installed car kits?
A properly installed car kit fixed to the dashboard or ventilators is the safest way to take calls on the move. These kits should be fitted by a professional to ensure that all the wires are hidden, that the radio mutes automatically and (so that you don’t invalidate the car’s warranty) that the kit is not installed in front of an airbag.

Is it safe to talk on a mobile at all while driving?
Pressing buttons and talking on your phone will be legal if the phone is held in a secured cradle affixed to the dashboard and that there are no wires connected to an earpiece (see above). However, you could still be prosecuted for driving dangerously or without due care and attention and you should avoid making or taking calls at all times whilst driving.

How can I make safer calls?

• Turn off your phone before starting your journey and take any messages only when you are parked safely.
• Save any numbers you may need to a short dial number in your phone before starting your journey.
• Keep calls short and simple. Never enter into an argument or negotiation whilst on the move.
• If you do take a call tell the caller that you are driving and may need to break off your conversation suddenly if driving conditions become hazardous in any way.

Sometimes, it can be quite tempting to just sneak a quick look at your phone - but remember even at 30mph your car is a potentially lethal weapon should an incident occur with a pedestrian.  The real truth is that just about anything that is a distraction from driving when you’re behind the wheel should really be avoided, such as eating, drinking, smoking or fiddling with gadgets like mobiles and GPS systems.