While many car manufacturers are pursuing the hybrid route (part-petrol, part electric) as a way of developing more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, Mazda has chosen a different initial approach. The Japanese company is instead looking at completely new engines, transmissions and bodyshells, still using pure petrol and diesel powerplants but with major reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. It intends to introduce these in 2011 and extend the technology across the entire Mazda Read more…

In the mid-nineteen sixties the Mini was hugely successful in a variety of motor sporting disciplines, both on and off track. In particular it made headlines around the world when it was victorious in the prestigious Monte Carlo rally. Now, 45 years later, the successor to the original Mini, the BMW-owned MINI, is to compete in next year’s World Rally Championship. Rallying is hardly unchartered territory for MINI. In the past this popular motor sporting Read more…

You either love them or hate them, but you can’t ignore them. The Toyota Prius, that automotive status symbol of all things ecologically friendly, is a bit like that savoury spread Marmite -people either can’t get enough of it, or begin to wretch at the very thought or smell of it. Anyway, the Prius has apparently clocked up worldwide sales of over two million since the original hybrid was launched in 1997. Across three generations Read more…

Something amazing happened at the recent Conservative Party conference. In fact, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the headline – “Rules barring motor races on public roads may be eased”. What? Where had this come from? Motor racing has never played an important role on the political landscape (except when Bernie Ecclestone donated a million quid to Tony Blair’s Labour Party but we won’t go into that) so what was the thinking behind Read more…

Formula One fans are rubbing their hands with glee at the moment as one of the most absorbing seasons in memory draws towards its conclusion. There are only three races left to run – Korea, Brazil and Abu Dhabi – and five drivers are still in with a chance of taking the world championship. The Australian driver Mark Webber currently heads the points table and second place in the recent Japanese Grand Prix reinforced this. Read more…

Aston Martin builds beautiful cars. Its DB9 and Vantage models are two of the most desirable  ‘supercars’ on the planet. So why, oh why, has the company announced that it is to build a ‘city car’ based upon the Toyota iQ of all things? The answer is that Aston needs something small and environmentally friendly to offset all the CO2 emitted by its supercars with their V8 and V12 engines, in order to reduce its Read more…