BB FANS

Hey that's a great recommendation larry - if the police are into them, it's often a good sign (cf Volvo-R and 5-Ser BMW)

Reviews via channel 4 here and Here

Yes they seem widespread across the country with the Police. I just read on a Police Specials forum that the VRS doesn't like speed humps and one officer was recommending a sump guard.

Maybe someone on here has some experience of driving one.

I found this forum while looking for the reviews above. It'll give you an idea on how well use the Skodas are.
Here
The discussion is on which vehicles each force uses.

Have gone for a Leon Turbo - collecting it tomorrow, woo-HOOO (as Glyn would say).

How the car Cameron ?

We were tempted with a Leon when we bought our new car in June, but Martin wanted a wee 4x4 instead and before anyone says....... NO you don't hear the patter of tiny feet!!

My friend had a wee 4x4 thing Suzanne (definitely not the pitter patter of tiny feet from his direction either...) and it was a great car. He bought a new one recently though and it isn't a 4x4.

It's a really good car thanks Suzanne - good turn of speed - great handling - and fine ICE. Just what you need!

Taken from AOL Motoring - there are pictures too but the AOL links don't work unless you have it as your ISP I don't believe.

Best of British

The demise of the British automotive industry has been overstated. We still produce an array of awesome and iconic machinery.

From the much-loved Routemaster bus to the revolutionary Mini, the British have always been at the forefront of motor car design.

Our marques may now be owned by foreign companies, but it is equally true that when manufacturers seek to exploit our industry's heritage, they still design and build cars here

AC Cobra
British specialist car builder AC provided the chassis and mated it with a Ford V8 engine. Further developed by American racer Carroll Shelby, it became an instant classic.

Routemaster bus
Though no longer on active service on London's streets, the Routemaster was perfect public transport, and is much missed by the capital's residents.

Noble M15
The 3.0 litre V8-engined Noble is the latest in a long line of specialist-developed British sportscars, and gives even Porsche performance a run for its money .

Morgan Aero 8
Idiosyncratic Morgan has for years defied expectation and continued to thrive. The Aero 8 is the firm's latest car. Quite simply there is nothing like it anywhere.

Mini
Although now owned by BMW, the Mini is built in Britain at Cowley. It might not yet have the iconic status of Issigonis' original, but there's no doubting that it is a fantastic car.

Caterham 7
No list of great British cars would be complete without this. A back-to-basics vehicle it might be, but there is truly nothing to match the unmissable driving experience.

Bentley Continental GT
Bentley is resurgent with new models such as this GT. Power and prestige have never looked so good, and it's a snip at just over £100,000.

Aston Martin DB9
On its last legs only five years ago, Aston now has a line-up to match the most exotic marques. The wonderful fluid lines of the DB9 make it the pick of the model range.


Like I say - on AOL there are actually some really good pictures but i dunno if I'd get away with posting them

Panda completes 9,000 mile rally

Two women have completed a 9,000 mile rally from Glasgow to Mongolia in five weeks in a 999cc Fiat Panda.

----------------------------------------

Lorraine Hutchison, 26, and Nina Rooke, 32, from Glasgow, travelled through Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

They slept with bears in woods in Siberia and crossed Kazakhstan's nuclear waste lands in a car bought for £150, which broke down 13 times.

Ms Hutchison and Ms Rooke, both engineers, raised £5,000 for charity by reaching Mongolia.

Full story BBC

Top 10 drives
Driving holidays are perfect for those wanting to get away from it all for a break with a difference; stunning scenery and natural beauty surround you on every turn, from the Pacific coast of the USA and the Alps of Switzerland to the Great Ocean Road in Australia and Florida Keys in Miami.

1. Pacific Coast Highway: LA to San Francisco
You won’t regret splashing out on a sleek and shiny convertible for a drive that takes in some of the snazziest locales and most beautiful scenery in North America. The route from LA to San Francisco will send you cruising down Rodeo Drive, meandering through ranch and wine country around the Santa Ynez Mountains and drifting slowly along the stunning Big Sur coastline with one eye on the road and one eye on the whales.


2. Garden Route: South Africa
Easily accessible from Cape Town, the lush, green and aptly named Garden Route incorporates the dramatic stretch of coastline between Mossel Bay and Nature's Valley taking in the vast Tsitsikamma Forest. Options for stopping off and wandering through the Fynbos are plentiful. With its stunning beaches, amazing flora and fauna and excellent golf courses, the Garden route should keep even the most diverse travelling companions happy.


3. New England in the autumn
Pick up your car in Boston and get ready for a short stint as a “leaf peeper”. At the right time of year, the drive through the Berkshires in Massachusetts via the Mohawk trail and into Vermont will give you an unparalleled 360 display of intense autumn colours. Enjoy a taste of old Americana by staying in one of the many historic inns that pepper the fall trail and have at least one huge breakfast in a vintage diner.



4. Great Ocean Road Australia
The Great Ocean Road is truly one of the great drives in the world and what’s more, it’s less than a day from Melbourne. The 125-mile long road cuts through southeast Australia, a land of dense rainforests, perfect beaches and arches of ocean-carved rock. So, roll down the windows, feel the wind in your hair and breathe in the heady combination of eucalyptus from one side and fresh salt air of the ocean on the other.


5. Northern Lakes Italy
The romantic Lake Orta, in the foothills of the Alps is an ideal starting point for a stunning drive around some of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. From Orta, wind along the Borromean Gulf on Lake Maggiore where the scenery shifts radically from gently sloping shores scattered with villas and magnificent gardens, to sheer cliffs that plunge dramatically into the water. More sumptuous villas and beautiful views await you at Lake Como. Then from Como, it’s a wonderful drive through mountains, vineyards and olive groves to Lake Garda.


6. San Juan Skyway (Colorado) – Over the Rocky Mountains: USA
The 232 mile long San Juan Skyway forms a highly varied scenic loop through one of North America’s most famous natural barriers. The route covers five passes over the Rocky Mountains with many magnificent views of the San Juan range. The route is circular and starts and finishes in Cortez. It passes by the entrance to the Mesa Verde National Park, covers the "Million Dollar Highway" (US550) over Coal Bank Summit and the Molas Divide. Other highlights include the Silverton, Red Mountain Pass, Ouray (dupped the ‘Switzerland of America’) Lizard Head Pass, Telluride and the Dolores River valley.


7. Florida Keys from Miami: USA
A drive of startling beauty, this road trip ranks among the most scenic in the United States. From the up thrust architecture of Miami, to the horizontal sweep of the Everglades and the limpid aquamarine reefs of the Florida Keys, the drive keeps you awestruck. Hire a convertible to get the real experience of driving in the sunshine on US highway.


8. Grossglockner – Highest Mountain in Austria: Austria
The Grossglockner Road is one of the most famous roads in the world featured on countless car adverts and films. It is the longest and most splendid alpine highway in Europe and one of the best drives in the world. The hairpin turns and bends are a challenge even for professional drivers. It's believed that this was the same route through the Alps used by the Romans and remains of a Roman Road were uncovered in the 1930s.



9. Furka and Grimsel Pass: Switzerland The Furka and Grimsel Pass is another famous Alpine road. The road weaves and climbs up to Furka over 2000 metres high. It gives views over the Reuss Valley and Gletsch below. The road then descends steeply into Gletsch on the other side of mountain and climbs through steep switchbacks up the Grimsel Pass then swoops by a deep blue manmade lake and on through the Hasli Valley to Meiringen, where meringues were invented. The whole route is one of contrast of sound colour; from the cool ice-blue glaciers, to the bright green meadows exploding with colour. This is all set to the sound of cowbells clanging and the wind whistling on top of the mountains. Furka and Grimsel Pass is simply spectacular.



10. Dolomites – Through Cortina d’Ampezzo: Italy
The highlight of any visit to the Dolomites should be the Great Dolomites Road. The 210 km route from Bolzano to Cortina d'Ampezzo dates back to the Renaissance. The present day road is an Austro-Hungarian project that began in Bolzano in 1891 and didn't reach Cortina until 1909. Climbing up the side of mountains to a height of over 2000 metres, the road is one of the world's great drives. Although it is possible to drive the road in three hours, ideally you should allow two days to appreciate the road and its detours.

Updated: 3:23pm GMT 08/11/2006
By PA

The most powerful production car in the world was today launched by a luxury British manufacturer.

The Bristol Fighter T is set to hit the UK's roads next year and boasts a massive 1,012 horsepower.



The engine produces more power than the 252mph Bugatti Veyron, currently the most powerful production car, which has 1,001 horsepower and costs £810,000.

The £350,000 Fighter T will be hand built at the firm's plant in Filton, Bristol.

Its eight-litre V10 engine will propel the car from 0-60mph in less than 3.5 seconds and on to a theoretical top speed of 270mph, although Bristol will limit the speed of production cars to 225mph.

Only around 20 Fighters will be built every year, not all of them the range-topping T version, so owners will belong to an exclusive group.

Telegraph

Lovely cars. Exclusive, classy....what else do you expect from Bristol??

BMW's hydrogen car: beauty or beast?



BBC

Today in M & S on the first floor (don't suppose it would be the same in all the stores mind you!) they had the most amazing pink remote control car ever! It was just about £10 and i got so excited.

Just thought I'd share as I think it should be on the top of Christmas lists all over the country lol! They did even have the make of car but I can't remember what it was

Unless it was one of the 'Mega Cars' in Pink ,which fits the price bracket ,it must only be available in-store.
M & S on-line doesn't have it.