Lincolnshire Echo

People Carrier Ups Its Game ; Thanks to Clever Design the Mazda5 has Developed a Loyal Fan Base, but Motoring Writer David Hooper Says the Latest Version Raises Its Game Markedly

The Mazda5 has been with us for a few years now and in that time has built up a loyal following, but in my opinion, this new model has the potential to expand that fan base considerably. Many of these midsize people carriers are slab-sided dullards bearing more of a resemblance to vans with windows than attractive family transport, but not the Mazda5 - it's easy on the eye.

Confusion: As Quick As a Flash ... ; We've Become a Nation of Flashers - Headlight Flashers, That Is. But Do We Know What All These Signals Mean?

You drive up to a crossroads and stop, indicating right. It's raining, getting dark, you're listening to loud music and the lorry driver opposite flashes his headlights. What do you think he means? You have the right of way? You haven't switched on your lights? Your music is really annoying? The fact is that most motorists in the UK - a whopping great 70 per cent of them - don't really know what the main purpose of a flashing headlight means.

Nissan Loan Car While You Wait

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has taken an innovative step to ensure customers are happy - and mobile - while waiting for their new car to arrive. Due to the unprecedented demand for its Juke, Qashqai and Qashqai+2 models, the company will be offering a free loan car for buyers facing a delivery lead time of more than three months to tide them over until their new car arrives.

Stylish, Sporty and Very Reliable Runner ; with Its Impressive Economy, Good Looks and High Safety Rating, Les Oliver Says the Peugeot 207 Should Appear On Anyone's Small Car Shortlist

PEUGEOT'S 207 is a solid, reliable runner, a neatly finished supermini with a comfortable, if somewhat plain, interior. In diesel Sport guise, the model tested here in five-door form is fitted with a 1.6-litre, 92bhp diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This is mid-range among the diesel line-up, also populated by 70, 90 and 112bhp variants.

It's yet Another Winner From Skoda ; Iain Robertson Tests Skoda's Fabia in Its Sportiest Vrs Form

To be fair, it is amazing what has happened to the 1.4-litre petrol engine since I first owned a Fabia Comfort in the late- 1990s. Installing the TFSi unit from the VW Golf within the smaller frame of the current Fabia is no less than a master-stroke of genius.

This Audi's so Smart It Can Almost Drive Itself! ; It's a Car That Turns Science Fiction Into Fact. A Car That Offers the Ultimate in Luxury Motoring - a Car Lottery Winners Would Dream of Buying. Motoring Editor Roy Woodcock Gets Up Close and Personal with the New Audi A8

It's one of those silly questions I've always wanted to respond to with an equally silly answer. It appears in more light-hearted interviews and asks, all innocent-like, nudge, nudge, wink, wink, what's the craziest thing you've ever done in a car? Most usually sidestep things with a "well, we were all young once, but I'd best not go into detail" response before moving on to discuss more important matters, such as what they keep in their glovebox. In my case, after a week spent with this week...

'80mph On a Motorway Instead of 70mph Can Cost You 25% More in Fuel Costs'

MILLIONS of motorists are driving more slowly on the motorway in a bid to curb soaring fuel costs, according to the AA. As pump prices soar to new record highs, more than half of all drivers intend to reduce their speed on motorways to cut their fuel consumption, says a report from the Department of Transport.

Wheels and Deals

CHEVROLET has revealed its revised Captiva, which arrives in UK showrooms in May. Highlights include a bold new face, upgraded cabin, competitive CO2 outputs and a spec list that is claimed to leave many of its rivals in the shade.

Ford Puts the World in Focus ; There May Have Been Rain in Spain, but During Its European Launch, It Was the New Focus, Ford's First 'World Car', That Shone. Motoring Writer David Hooper Reports From Jerez

WHEN Ford launched its Focus to the international media in 1998, it caused a reaction among the assembled British journalists that I have not witnessed before or since. I was on that launch and remember clearly how even the most cynical and critical of motoring writers could not find a bad word to say about it.

Yamaha Unveiled Its New 2011 Motogp Team Racing Colours

YAMAHA has unveiled its new 2011 MotoGP team livery, which coincides with the factory's 50th year of racing in Grands Prix, but no major sponsor. Instead the bikes are decked out in Yamaha corporate colours. The company is putting a positive spin on the situation: "This is an important year for us being our 50th anniversary of involvement in Grand Prix racing," said Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl. "We start the season not only with the reigning MotoGP World Champion ...

Top Choice for Touring Riders ; Motorcyling Columnist Kevin Ash This Week Tests Bmw's Exciting New K1600gt

It has been a long time since we've had a motorcycle with a specification as exciting as the new BMW K1600GTs. The headline feature, of course, is the engine, an all-new 1649cc power plant with six cylinders arranged in line across the bike, producing a muscular 158bhp and huge 129lb-ft of torque. But that's only the beginning, the bike is packed with high technology and clever detailing, all aimed at making this and its new stablemate the K1600GTL, the definitive choice for touring riders.

Accident Management ... ; Finding It Almost Shameful That so Many People Refer to 'Accidents in Adverse Conditions' As Being 'Inevitable', Iain Robertson Appreciates There Is a Fallout Area During Winter Months

There can be little more upsetting than being involved in a road traffic accident. While many such incidents may not even be our fault, resulting from the foolhardy actions of another driver, running into the rear, side or front of the car, the never-ending silence as you watch the incident panning out, then the sickening crunch of metal against other metal or scenery, followed by the clatter of glass and plastic trim as it falls onto the roadway, can revisit in nightmare form. I am sorry to ...

Tech Spec

Car: Peugeot 207 Sport Engine: 1.6-litre diesel Power: 92bhp 0- 60: 12.9 secs Top speed: 113mph Economy: 65.6mpg CO2: 113g/km Sport trim is top range, so as well as the Peugeot Connect USB Bluetooth system, 15in alloys, a rear parking sensor and sports trim interior, it also gets a dark-tinted rear window, automatic light and rain sensors, dual-zone air conditioning and a leather steering wheel. It rides OK, even on twisting country roads, holding the corners well, although it felt a little l...

Pounds 55m Clamping Racket Nears the End of the Road ; Matt Joy Reports On Home Office Figures That Reveal Cowboy Clampers Cost Drivers Millions of Pounds Every Year

Cowboy clampers take up to Pounds 55 million from drivers every year, the Home Office has said. As the Government takes steps to make wheelclamping on private land a criminal offence from next year, the figures back concerns that rogue operators were extorting millions of pounds from unsuspecting motorists.

New Dawn for Mg ; the Mg Motor Company Is to Return to Prominence with Its New Mg6 Hatchback and Saloon, Writes Matt Joy

The MG Motor Company will begin full-scale production of its all- new MG6 hatchback and saloon in a few weeks' time in a move that could see the brand return to prominence. It represents a remarkable turnaround for the company following the final days of the MG Rover Group led by the Phoenix consortium, culminating in the closing of the factory gates at Longbridge in Birmingham and thousands of job losses.

Pondering Over a Panda? ; Iain Robertson On What to Expect If You Are Looking to Buy a Used Fiat Panda

UP TO Pounds 1,500 will get you a ropey condition 03-registered 1.1i, in Active or Dynamic trim. Powered by a choice of 1.1 or 1.2- litre, transversely mounted, fourcylinder petrol engines, this Panda is basic but very well assembled. At this kind of money, you need not expect much more than the most basic of transport, which is what the Panda has always been about. If you are fortunate, you will pick up a model of this age that includes its original in-built radio/stereo system. However, do ...