Potholes, the scandal of our roads...

Spent all day yesterday driving in and around London for a photoshoot. I began in Sidcup, Kent at 6.30am and went round the M25 to get to Weybridge, Surrey. After picking up the car, we headed into the capital to a number of locations, then back to Weybridge to drop the car off. I finally got home to Suffolk just before 9pm. I witnessed every type of driving and have to say I saw some excellent examples of considerate, smart and sensible roadcraft. But then I also saw some absolutely appalling examples of advanced stupidity, thoughtlessness and dangerous behaviour. In short, it was just another day on the UK’s roads. But the one thing that was a constant wherever I went was the shocking state of the tarmac. It’s getting worse and is a scandal. It was summed up as a arrived back into my village. A large pothole in the centre of the carriageway was ‘fixed’ a couple of weeks ago, ie, workmen came along and dumped some loose tarmac in it and patted it down with a machine. Unsurprisingly, this temporary solution has failed and the first bits of it have come loose are now being sprayed across the carriageway as wheels hit them. Unbelievable and a total waste of time, effort and money.

Ford B-MAX: update 3

Had dinner with a friend of mine last night who confessed he’d nearly bought a Ford C-MAX but decided it was “too boring”. I wonder if he’d have the same reaction to the B-MAX. Okay, it’s not the most exciting car to look at – it’s an MPV after all – but in terms of what he would want the practicality of a compact family car it ticks pretty much every box. From the wide door bins and huge number of cubby holes to the fold-flat seating, it’s all been very thoughtfully designed. The attention to detail is impressive, illustrated perfectly by the small bag hooks integrated into the backs of the front seats. The story is the same in the boot, with more hooks and an adjustable false floor giving customers the option of hidden storage. And then there’s the fact there’s no A-pillar, which makes it very easy for kids to get in, supervised or not. 

Weighting for the McLaren P1

Been reading up on the McLaren P1 supercar. The attention to detail inside the cabin is evidence of the lengths the company’s engineers have gone to. It’s all about weight reduction so, for example, the top layer of resin has been removed from the carbin fibre dashboard, leaving a non-lacquered finish for a more natural look and a further 1.5kg which doesn’t need to be counted. Another example is the amount of trim within the cabin – or the lack of it – which leaves as many parts as possible exposed. There’s no interior sound-deadening. Carpet is offered as an option, but even then is fitted with a special lightweight backing. The P1 makes its debut at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Can't wait. Or perhaps that should be can't weight...

Driven: Lexus LS600h L

I’m writing this from the departure lounge at Farnborough Airport, waiting to head off to Spain to drive the all-new Toyota RAV4. I drove here late last night in the new Lexus LS600h – the ‘L for limo’ version with extra legroom in the back – and it’s a remarkably refined vehicle. Like all good luxury saloons, you set the suspension to Comfort mode then just waft along the motorway eating up the miles. For such a big car it’s also exceptionally agile through corners, and the ‘conservative yet contemporary’ design language of the car has really grown on me in the last week. The downside is the fuel economy; with a very quiet 5.0-litre petrol engine under the bonnet, I had to adjust the display so I couldn’t see the numbers. Despite the hybrid powertrain, getting 26mpg was just too depressing to contemplate, especially as I’d just put £50 of gas in the tank. 

Ford B-MAX: update 2

Note to self: when you stall the B-MAX in a queue at a roundabout and can’t work out why it won’t start again – to the point where you’re starting to get a bit panicked and flick the hazard lights on – remember to dip the clutch before turning the key. Otherwise you'll think something is wrong with the car and get all flustered.

Nissan hits the right Note

Not really a big fan of MPVs – boxy design doesn’t really do much for me – but the all-new MkII Nissan Note is actually quite an attractive looking model. On display at the Geneva Motor Show in a couple weeks (more on that in future blog posts), it’s based on the Invitation concept car seen at the same event last year. And for something in the B-segment it’s got a lot of kit on it. The Note will be available with blind spot warning, lane departure warning and something calling Moving Object Detection. All use data from the rear view camera, which Nissan guarantee will provide a pin-sharp image no matter what the weather… because it’s got a built-in ‘wash and blow dry’ function. Blimey!