Fun in the Alpine snow

Writing this from the rather pokey departure shed of Salzburg airport in Austria. Been driving revised versions of the Volvo C30, C70 and XC60 in the Alps. Tricky road-testing given the predictably poor weather, but the trip has been as much about the Alpine experience as the facelifted vehicles. Had the roof off the C70 at -4 deg C for a good hour, then took a cable car up a mountain with local skiers to spend the night in an igloo – yes, really – when the outside temperature was -11 deg C. The next day I was impressed by the capability of the XC60’s traction control on an ice circuit (above), then switched the system off and had some fun doing power slides. Given the recent bad weather, it was a good reminder of the extra grip provided by winter tyres. They’re almost totally unavailable in the UK, which seems daft. Back to reality with British Airways in a few minutes.

Mugen on the move

Posting this early as I’ll be on a plane Monday morning. Visited tuning firm Mugen last week to research a feature for Dream, Honda’s customer magazine. Scroll back to the very first blog entry – 9 November – to see why. Really interesting tour of the facility and chat with the team. It’s only a handful of people working out of an anonymous industrial unit in Northampton. They’re building 20 of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen (above), and this is the first time there’s ever been a Mugen-engined road car, so it’s a chance for some lucky enthusiasts to own a little piece of motoring history. Each car gets a numbered plaque on the gearstick surround. Interestingly, they will be numbered 01 to 21 because superstition dictates there’s never a number 13 on motorsport machines. It’s weird because Honda is obviously Japanese, whose unlucky number is 4, yet they’re quite happy to have a car 4!

A Fiat 500 too far

Writing this from a hotel in Cheltenham, where I’m driving the Fiat Punto Evo. Given Mitsubishi’s use of the E-word, it sounds like it should be an uber-hot hatch but it’s not. More next week.

Saw a new-shape VW Beetle in bright pink parked on a drive earlier in the week. This one looked like an after-market paint job, but there were plenty of originals – Nissan Micra C+C, MkI Ford Ka, Mitsubishi Colt convertible. Arrived at the hotel and found this monstrosity of a Fiat 500 shining out from my inbox. The company’s marketing boss says it will appeal “mainly to young women”. Really? You think? She also says they will be “free-thinking drivers with a distinctive personality”. Well, I hope they’re very happy with their purchase, and for a long time, because God knows what the resale value will be when they want rid of them. Dealers loathe these cars because they’re buggers to shift second-hand.

Porsche at the Autosport Show

Joined the masses heading to the Autosport Show on Thursday. It’s technically trade day, but there were plenty of punters there anyway. Lots to see as always, including the Ginetta G40 – see blog of 30 November – but what caught my eye was Porsche’s new 911 GT3 R track car (above). How sexy is that? Delivered to customers in ready-to-race guise, it’s powered by a 4.0-litre six-cylinder enginer delivering 480bhp. Anti-lock brakes, traction control and an electronic throttle with ‘blip’ function on down-changes, it’s ideal for the ambitious amateur racer rather than more experienced professionals. You won’t be surprising to learn that Porsche isn’t exactly giving them away. Yours for £288,000. Be quick, though; most of the 2010 production run has already sold.

Next generation Ford Focus - official pics

I’m posting this a few hours early because on Thursday morning I’ll be busy at the Autosport Show so unable to blog. Talking of shows, it’s been the big bash in Detroit this week and car debuts don’t get much more important than an all-new Ford Focus. Showing elements of the styling that’s made the Fiesta a massive hit, the newcomer (above) won’t arrive in the UK until this time next year. The chassis on which it’s built will form the basis for 10 models, including an estate and convertible, plus two new versions each of the C-MAX people carrier and Kuga SUV. Bosses are talking about a 10-20 per cent cut in fuel use compared with the outgoing Focus, which will be an impressive achievement. Can’t wait.

* More on the Autosport Show on Monday.

Peugeot SR1 sport car concept

Glossing over Eurostar’s incompetence which meant I never made it to Paris last Friday, the above picture is what Peugeot had to shout about. To mark the firm’s 200th anniversary, this is the SR1 hybrid concept which will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. According to the company, this 4WD performance two-seater convertible typifies the styling direction of the next generation of Peugeot cars. Max power is 313bhp from its 1.6-litre petrol engine and rear-mounted electric motor, and there’s also four-wheel steering for precision dynamics. Whether it becomes a production reality or not, the SR1 signals Peugeot’s intent to be a hi-tech player as the automotive world drives into a greener future.

4WD saves me from a chilly night

I narrowly avoided an all-nighter behind the wheel when the A12 in Suffolk recently turned into a toboggan run. The reason was a lucky double; if I’d been a couple of miles further south I’d have been stranded behind struggling HGVs, and I was in a four-wheel drive version of the all-new BMW X1 (above). It’s the first of the German firm’s SUVs to have the choice of either 4WD or RWD. Things could easily have turned out differently if I’d been supplied with the latter. Rear-wheel drive and snow/ice are not a good cocktail because there’s very little weight at the back of the car to help with grip. I can’t say I formed much of an opinion on the X1. I was too busy concentrating on staying on the road and not getting hit.

* Off to Paris tomorrow for some big – and rather mysterious – Peugeot announcement. Details next week if it’s interesting.

Cube officially on sale in the UK

At first glance, the Nissan Cube (above) doesn’t look like an ideal base car for tuning and modification. But while it’s new to the UK this month, this boxy city runabout and its predecessors have been on sale in Japan for a decade. The Cube has become a design icon – it’s like their version of the MINI – so there’s a host of body kits and engine performance upgrades available. Bosses at Nissan UK are jumping on the bandwagon with a personalisation range of body panel tattoos, but if you really want to stand out from crowd, import direct from Japan. I’m a fan of anything that’s a bit different and think the Cube looks great. It’s really practical, too, with a roomy interior and full-width side-hinged rear door. The downside is the driving experience, which is pretty sterile and uninvolving. It’s an AtoB-mobile in that respect, but it’s one with style!