Sat-nav ‘jammer’ threatens to sink road pricing scheme

This new product a sat-nav jammer, and could render the most suitable technology for a pay-as-you-drive charging scheme useless.It costs £700 and plugs into a car’s cigar lighter socket.

That might sound like good news but thieves could also use the gadget to foil certain GPS-based stolen car tracking devices!

How does it work? Trackers rely on sat-nav technology to log vehicle movements. This data is stored on a ‘black box’ in the car, then relayed to a mon­itoring station via mobile phone. The jammer stops both processes.It emits a frequency that blocks the signal from global positioning satellites. As a result, the black box can’t record movement data. The jammer unit also has a mobile phone blocker to stop the black box sending information back to its base.

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DeLorean comeback?

We all know that some American's can be a little, shall we say, weird. Demand in American for the gullwinged wonder is so high that some American fanatics are considering putting the DMC-12 back into production.

The car is made from the same stainless steel as your kitchen sink, but it is experiencing unprecedented levels of buyer interest, which means the existing crop of the original 9000 cars are in huge demand.

Putting the scandal of the £80 million of British government money lost and subsequent false drug allegations made against company founder John DeLorean, some Texas-based enthusiasts are looking to restart building the cult coupe. American entrepreneur John Espey will set up production for 25 cars per year and already boasts a nine month waiting list!

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Bentley Continental engine improvements

All you petrol heads will know what a fantastic engine the Bentley Continental GT models have - a 6-litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine, the most compact 12-cylinder engine in production. The 48-valve head employs four camshafts and continually variable valve-timing - oh yes.

But what you wont know is that a host of engine and transmission enhancements have been introduced on the 552bhp Continental GT to enhance both the refinement and efficiency of this high technology powertrain.

These include:

• New crankcase design to reduce internal losses.
• More efficient catalyst and exhaust system for improved emissions.
• Lighter weight single chain drive for camshaft.
• New engine management system and faster response cam sensor.
  

The engine continues to produce 552bhp at 6100 rev/min and a maximum torque of 650Nm. The twin, low-inertia turbochargers are a key factor in producing the flat torque curve, characteristic of every Bentley.

Both the Continental GT Speed and GT models now produce lower CO2 emissions of 396g/km, down from 410g/km, an improvement of 3.5 percent. Fuel consumption is improved by a similar amount to a staggering 11mpg!!!!.

The Continental GT remains outstandingly quick – its top speed is unchanged at 198mph (318km/h), with a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.8s) - faster than a Ferrari F430 and a Porsche 911 Carrera 4.

Renault announce new roadster

Renault have intended to produce a 2 seater convertable to rival the Mazda MX5 for many years now but it seems that the project is gaining pace.

The car was originally destined for production in 2010, but industry rumors say that Renault have revealed it has been given the go-ahead – and will be ready a year early.

Since the Toyota MR2 Roadster was discontinued last summer, after 22 years in production, the MX-5 has had no direct competitor. But that’s about to change, as bosses are ready to introduce a unique model to spearhead the Renaultsport range. It’s not yet known if the new two-seater will have a fabric or folding metal roof; Mazda’s MX-5 is available with a choice of both.

It seems that Renault intent to cater for all types of motorists with a wide range of engines. Entry-level variants are likely to be equipped with small, four-cylinder powerplants, while top-of-the-range cars will come with the Renaultsport Clio 197’s high-revving 2.0-litre unit.

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TopCarTalk Information - Drugs and the driving law

Drug driving is the term used to describe anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle under the influence of any substance (legal or illegal) that is likely to impair their driving ability.

Under Section 107, Schedule 7 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003:

• It's an offence to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled drug;


• Police officers have powers to undertake roadside drug tests on drivers.
  
  

Penalties
Driving under the influence of drugs carries the same penalties as drink driving - a ban and a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in jail. If a person under the influence of drugs causes a fatal accident, they could face a two-year ban and a maximum of 10 years in jail.

Roadside testing
The law does not state any legal limit for drugs as it does for alcohol. This is because knowledge of how different drugs impair different people's driving ability is inconclusive. The extent of harm resulting from driving under the influence of drugs continues to be researched, although the current lack of a definite legal limit for drug driving can complicate any possible further prosecution

If you're taken to the station
If field impairment tests demonstrate that you may have been driving under the influence of drugs, you could be arrested and taken to the police station. Here, you may be tested for the presence of drugs through a biological test (for example, by testing a sample of your blood or urine). The police don't have to wait for you to sober up or resume consciousness in order to do this. A doctor can also carry out a blood test to see if you've been incapacitated due to medical reasons, such as illness or intake of prescribed medicine.

New Model to Mini Range

It had to nappen BMw ae going to launch the new MINI Clubman and it will be on sale in the UK in November 2007.

Available in three engine variants: Cooper D, Cooper and Cooper S, the new model has a new rear door mechanism and boasts more space for rear passengers and greater levels of safety.

We can all remember Morris Mini Traveller, Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate, which enjoyed widespread success in the 1960s and were one of the most popular cars in Britain. Well the new MINI Clubman nevertheless stays true to the MINI design but the retention of short body overhangs, wide track, a long wheelbase and the high shoulder line rising towards the rear.

Modern high-performance engines, designed specifically for the 2nd generation MINI, feature new improvements to optimise fuel economy and emission management. Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and a Gearshift Point Indicator are standard on all variants and help the MINI Cooper D Clubman to achieve a low emissions figure of 109 g/km CO2.

The Clubman is the next body style in the MINI range to join the successful Hatch and Convertible models, which have sold over one million models since 2001.

As with the Hatch models, the petrol engines will be assembled at Plant Hams Hall in the Midlands and the body panels and sub-assemblies are from Plant Swindon. This ‘MINI production triangle’ employs approximately 6,800 production associates in the UK.

On-the-road-prices:
MINI Cooper - £14,235
MINI Cooper D - £15,400
MINI Cooper S - £17,210

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Porsche Ceyene hybrid!!

Porsche, aware of the growing environmental lobby, have unveiled a prototype Cayenne with hybrid drive. Its not expected to be on sale until 2009 but obviously Porsche want everybody to know that it can be responsible as a car manufacturer.

The car has the 3.6 litre V6 engine, showing that the main focus is on saving fuel rather than performance, however because of the torque boost from the electric motor it is faster than most V6's. Porsche haven't released figures yet but for cars in this class you would expect a 0-62mph of about 8 seconds. Fuel economy should be about 25% better relating to 29mpg combined cycle.

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Formula 1 race calendar extended to 18 races...

THE FIA have announced that the 2008 Formula One race calendar will consist of 18 races, the two new venues are Valencia and Singapore, both will be street races.

The Canadian grand prix is subject to contractual confirmation.

It was thought that France would not appear on the race calendar but the French have been given a reprieve.

2008 Formula One calendar released by the FIA on Friday:
March 16 Australia (Melbourne)
March 23 Malaysia (Sepang)
April 6 Bahrain (Sakhir)
April 27 Spain (Barcelona)
May 11 Turkey (Istanbul)
May 25 Monaco
June 8 Canada*
June 22 France
July 6 Britain (Silverstone)
July 20 Germany (Hockenheim)
Aug 3 Hungary (Hungaroring)
Aug 24 Europe (Valencia)
Sep 7 Italy (Monza)
Sep 14 Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
Sep 28 Singapore
Oct 12 China (Shanghai)
Oct 19 Japan (Fuji)
Nov 2 Brazil (Interlagos)

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Stepneygate: No charges for McLaren for now

Formula 1 team McLaren have escaped any immediate penalty following a disciplinary hearing into how chief designer Mike Coughlan came into possession of a 780-page technical dossier on rivals Ferrari which was found at his home.

McLaren had already suspended their chief designer, and the World Motorsport Council (WMSC) came to the conclusion that there was "insufficent evidence" that the documents had affected this year's title race.

McLaren and current championship race leader Lewis Hamilton could yet face an Formula 1 ban if in the future they are seen to have gained any advantage from the dossier.

Have your say on the F1 spy row on the Top Car Talk forums

Rail fares going up as passengers are forced back onto the roads...

Can this government, or come to that any other UK government in the last 20 years get anything right regarding public transport? I think not personally. The latest piece of mindboggling news is that rail fares are set to rocket, due to the government's decision to slash funding by 50%, a move which will guarantee huge rail fare price hikes for the next decade. Oh deep joy.

We motorists are being constantly told to do our bit to help save the planet by using public transport more often. Cutting funding and the rail fair increases that will come with it will do nothing to encourage motorists to use what, frankly, are generally appalling rail services.

Set against this news, we have the prospect of road-pricing schemes and congestion charging on the horizon. If they don't get you one way they will get you somehow. The poor old commuter simply cannot win.

If the government wants us all to do our bit to save the planet, then they should be encouraging us all to use public transport by keeping fares low and by making sure that our trains are clean, have enough capacity and run on time.

In other countries where rail networks run smoothly and efficiently like in France for example, they do so because the government has long realised the importance of the getting public transport right. Over here in the UK it is the same old story a complete and utter shambles.

Top Gear star abandons 911 in flood dash drama..

Richard 'Hampster' Hammond has had to abandon his Porsche 911 Carrera due to the flooding which has enveloped many parts of England over the last couple of weeks.

The Top Gear presenter was travelling home from London to Cheltenham for his daughter's birthday. However, Hammond found himself stuck in a traffic jam due to the flood chaos, it was at this point that he donned his running gear and ran the last 16 miles of his journey home.

Hammond told the Daily Mirror: "There was no way I was going to miss it - I'm away from home enough as it is.

"Luckily I had my running gear and a waterproof jacket with me in the car, so I decided to run the rest of the way. It was pitch black but I just put my iPod on and went."

Top Gear returns to our TV screens this Wednesday for a one-off special that sees Hammond and chums in a race to the North Pole.

Hamilton admits making wrong call over tyres, but shows great character and statesmanship.

New kid on the block and still F1 Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has somewhat refreshingly admitted that it was his call to switch to dry tyres during the early stages of the European Grand Prix, it was a race losing decision as things turned out.

F1 is a sport that seems to be almost always mired in one controversy or another, so it makes a something of a pleasant change to hear that Lewis has totally held up his hand and admitted he was at fault.

Added to which there was no carping about the tyre gun failure which led to him having an untimely meeting with the Nurburgring tyre wall at 100 mph during Saturday's qualifying session, which ended with Hamilton being taken to hospital.

The young Briton has taken F1 by storm this season leading from the front and up and until Sunday's dramatic race at the Nurburgring, Hamilton had managed a podium finish in every other grand prix and in some considerable style.Despite his many setbacks in Germany over the weekend, you could not help but sit back and admire the way Hamilton dealt with each one.

How many other drivers would have had the presence of mind to keep that engine ticking over having spun off the track? Not many I'd venture.

As F1 guru and all round good egg Murray Walker recently stated, Hamilton is a true racer. How true. The way Hamilton went about the business of getting out of those mostly self inflicted sticky situations, was intriguing to witness, as much as anything else the it was a test of his positive attitude and his self willingness to haul himself back into the race.

It was remarkable that he managed to finish the race at all, given everything that went on prior to and during that eventful and fascinating race weekend.

It is somewhat ironic, but not that surprising that Lewis is now hinting that he learnt more in Sunday's grand prix than in the previous nine. Hamilton hasn't just been a total revelation this season he has brought F1 back to life.

Prior to his arrival for many neutrals, like myself, the sport had become dull and predictable. No more. F1 is alive and well and there's a genuine battle raging for the Championship.

Lewis Hamilton will hopefully learn from the mistakes that he made in Germany and go on to win the trophy, but even if he doesn't it is going to be great to watch the remainder of the season. I cannot personally remember the last time that I genuinely held that view of F1.

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Alonso wins dramatic European Grand Prix...

Fernando Alonso won his 18th Grand Prix today at Germany's Nurburgring in what can only be described as a highly eventful and dramatic race. The conditions and rain made it a very difficult start for the drivers as no sooner was the race under way than the track was flooded, which soon led to six cars including championship race leader Lewis Hamilton aqua planing off the track.

To his credit the 22 year old Brit kept his engine ticking over even in though his McLaren was wheel deep in grit, once a crane lifted his car back onto the track Hamilton rejoined the race. However, conditions got so bad that it wasn't long before the race was called to a halt.

The race restarted under Red Flag conditions with Hamilton left at the back of the grid, added to which he was a full lap behind. The rules state that cars which have been lapped can overtake while the safety car takes the rest of the cars around the circuit. Hamilton did exactly that but inexplicably he then decided to change to dry tyres instead of catching up the rest of the pack.

It turned out to be a disastrous points losing decision as Lewis soon spun off the track again. The remainder of Hamilton's race was spent trying to fight his way back into contention. The championship race leader gave it his best shot and displayed some fantastic overtaking skills, but it wasn't to be as he finished in ninth position, one place out of the points.

Meanwhile Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso had a battle royal with the Brazilian looking almost certain to win the race, but that all changed in the final laps as once again the heavens opened and the drivers raced into the pit-lane for once last tyre change.

The race ended as it had started in very dramatic fashion as Alonso and Massa's wheels momentarily came together as Alonso took the lead and raced onto the chequered flag.

Alonso's win means that Lewis Hamilton's championship lead has been cut to just two points.

Visit the Top Car Talk forums to add your F1 comments on the European Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton's race at the Nurburgring

Lewis Hamilton cleared to race after crash scare....

F1 Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has been cleared to race in Sunday's European Grand Prix after recovering from a serious crash during Saturday's qualifyround at the Nurburgring.

The crash came about after one the McLaren's front wheels came off at high speed, the fault was later put down to a wheel gun malfunction.

The 22 year old Brit was keen to race despite his ordeal, as was Ron Dennis the McLaren team boss.

McLaren will no doubt be reviewing their pit-lane preparation procedures following what can only be described as a very unusual and untimely mechanical tool failure.

The accident served to once again remind everyone connected with the sport how dangerous F1 is.

It will be very interesting to see how Hamilton reacts, he's had his share of shunts and accidents in the past during his karting years, but the pressure is really on now and coming so soon after the crash Sunday's European Grand Prix will be an even bigger mental challenge.

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Ferrari release pictures of the new F430 Scuderia

Ferrari has released first official pictures of the F430 Scuderia - a lighter, hardercore version of the standard coupe.

The engine is a tuned version of the 4.3 litre V8 which produces 510bhp. Crucially though, the Scuderia weighs 100kg less than the 430 coupe, so expect a sparse carbon-fibre-heavy cabin a la the previous generation 360 CS.

Tech-wise the Stradale gets race-derived gearbox software - named the 'F1 Superfast' - which reduces each paddleshift to 60 milliseconds. There's also a newly integrated electronic driver aid system which combines the 'E-diff' electronic differential with traction and stability control, to enhance performance in each setting.

The Scuderia will first be seen in the metal when it's unveiled by Michael Schumacher at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

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