When the notion of a ‘girl’s car’ emerges, images of Paris Hilton’s pink Bentley inevitably pop up. More recently, the Labour Party tried to attract female voters by driving around in a big pink bus! However, in the 21st century it is rather narrow-minded to think that there is such thing as a girl’s car.

Women have various tastes and various needs – some of them juggle work and family, others are on the road most of the time and some simply like to drive fast! Just for the sake of the argument, we have compiled a list of the most stereotyped female-oriented cars, and our opinion on them.

A convertible

In almost every Hollywood comedy, the stereotypical dumb blonde girl is driving a convertible. Usually pink. The stylish lady is also driving a convertible and so is the high school prom queen.

The truth is that men and women equally enjoy a convertible car. Especially on a sunny day, the top-down roof gives the driver a sense of freedom. Some of the best convertibles are manufactured by BMW (Series 6 and Series 4 Convertible), Mazda MX-5, and Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet.

A big advantage of the aforementioned cars is that they are affordable; you don’t have to be Audrey Hepburn to buy one!

It is impossible to talk about strictly girls’ or boys’ cars, as different people have different tastes and preferences. Some drivers buy on the grounds of comfort, others because they like the car’s features or its appearance. Because of this, dividing cars according to gender is very difficult.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Warm, hot… hottest! We ranked the top 7 hot hatches out there so that you don’t spend hours researching them. You are welcome!

We have previously looked at five of the most affordable fast cars, but if budget isn’t a problem then one of these seven might be for you.

6. Renault Megane RS 265

One of the oldest hot hatches on the market, this car is sporty and stylish. This model has undergone a facelift and it shows – its bold looks attract instantly. The Megane is famous for its powerful engine and firm suspension, which makes the driving experience unforgettable. Despite its sporty appearance, the Megane is reliable on the road and has reasonable maintenance costs.

Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre six-cylinder turbo

Power: 271bhp

Top speed: 158mph

0–62mph: 6 seconds

4. MINI John Cooper Works

The 3-door MINI was a very hot city car, and the MINI John Cooper Works is the most powerful production MINI so far. Launched in the UK in April this year the JCW, as it’s known, has been styled to make an impact on the roads. Its seven front grilles and four at the rear give it the mean look it needs. With bucket seats and red trimmed interior it certainly packs a punch in the looks department.

Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 228bhp

Top speed: 152mph

0–62mph: 6.1 sec

2. Volkswagen Polo GTI

This hatchback is hotter than Egypt in July! The interior reflects its understated quality that you would expect from Volkswagen. Fun to drive as well as practical, as it comes in 3- or 5-door guises. Technology is up-to-date and plentiful, with Bluetooth, adaptive cruising control and an infotainment system that simple to use. With seven-speed dry-clutch DSG automatic or six-speed manual gearbox to choose from its enough to suit any driver.

Specifications

Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 189 bhp

Top speed: 146mph

0–62mph: 6.7 sec

If none of these hot hatches tickle your fancy then why not take a look at one of Arbarth’s most powerful hot hatchbacks.

Launched in July, 1957

The Fiat 500, known initially as ‘The Cinquecento’ was introduced by Fiat Company in July 1957, and produced under this guise until 1975.

Designed by Dante Giacosa, the Cinquecento was marketed as a cheap, functional and economical town car for post-war Italy.

Small size, huge appeal

The original Cinquencento measured just over 9 feet long, and was powered by a 479cc two-cylinder engine, and was considered one of the first ‘city cars’.

Despite its small size, the Cinquencento proved to be very popular, and almost four million were produced from launch to 1975.

Rear-mounted engine

Like the Renault Twingo, the original Cinquecento had a rear-mounted engine that allowed the tiny car the agility it needed to navigate the city.

1960–1975

The Fiat 500 saw a few revisions during this period, mainly cosmetic, such as a sunroof that only folded part way (Fiat 500 D), and an estate version (Fiat 500 Giardiniera).

The ever-popular suicide doors of the original Fiat 500

1968–1972: Fiat 500 L or Lusso

The Lusso model was mechanically very similar to the 500 F, but there were some notable cosmetic changes.

The Lusso has an extra chrome bar at the front and rear, and a more modern interior, which featured a new black steering wheel, plastic dashboard, reclining seats and carpeting.

1975: Production ends

Fiat ceased production of the 500 in favour of the new Fiat 126, which never enjoyed the same popularity.

2012: 1 millionth Fiat 500 rolls off the production line

Produced in Tychy, Poland it was fitted with Fiat’s 69HP 1.2 engine the 1 millionth car was the made with the Lounge trim in three-layer Funk White. The variants in personalisation are so wide that number 999,999 was the 1.3 MultiJet in Red and number 1,000,001 was a light blue 1.2 with a Lounge trim.

The new Fiat 500

What do you love about the Fiat 500? Let us know in the comments below.

Remember to set your alarm clock early and prepare yourselves, it’s time to start planning for the school run! Yes, that much dreaded journey is upon us…

The school run screeches chaos, more times than not, with every morning signalling some combination of half-done homework, improvised breakfasts and little ones running into class late. Why put yourself through it when you could enjoy a much smoother ride with the right preparation? Starting with the correct choice of car.

Switching to a family-friendly car can offer a sense of tranquillity and joy ,which may only be understood by those who have regularly battled with the school run. In order to ensure a much more enjoyable journey we have looked in to the key features required from a car to achieve a successful school run.

Although every family is different the above points are the essentials to consider when buying your family-friendly car. Every family is likely to have their own personal requirements, just remember to keep a list and don’t get driven to distraction by the car of your dreams, as it could soon become an impractical nightmare!

Some of cinema’s most exhilarating, kinetic and downright inspiring moments have involved a car chase. Sit down, strap in and get ready to burn up some tarmac (if only vicariously) with these heart-pounding sequences of pure cinematic adrenaline.

Bullitt (1968) dir. Peter Yates

Playing cop-turned-bodyguard Frank Bullitt, Steve McQueen bumps, skids and smoulders across the wonderland terrain of San Francisco in hot pursuit of a black 1968 Dodge Charger in this film’s iconic chase sequence. Though it only takes up 10 minutes of Bullitt’s final running time, the chase took four weeks to film, with McQueen doing all his own driving in a 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT2+2 Fastback.

Ronin (1998) dir. John Frankenheimer

Experience the terror of a rapid-action vehicle pursuit through Paris with a spectacle that took almost 300 stunt drivers in a series of shaky POV shots, skids, swerves and omniscient camera angles. With a former amateur racing driver as its director, the cars used in Ronin were driven at a breakneck 120 miles per hour, and over 80 were deliberately wrecked throughout the course of its production to produce its considerable thrills. Actors Robert de Niro and Jean Reno were required to be in shot for many of these sequences… it’s no wonder they look thoroughly shaken throughout!

Mad Max Fury Road (2015) dir. George Miller

In a post-apocalyptic world in which water and fuel are at a premium, a convoy of vehicles must make its way through a landscape ravaged by monstrous sandstorms, bloodthirsty gangs and twisted vehicles. Not so much a one-car battle as a two-hour, metal-on-metal war this confection of staggering visual effects is anything but a slow starter.

Death Proof (2007) dir. Quentin Tarantino

Movie magpie Tarantino lines his grindhouse nest with a number of 70s-inspired trinkets for this gritty exploitation road movie, including scratchy film, a glitch-tastic soundtrack and a roster of glorious retro cars. Death Proof sees three young women (including real-life stuntwoman Zoe Bell) pursued by psychopathic Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), then turning the tables on him in a fearless, unpredictable car chase which will leave your knuckles as white as its 1970 Dodge Challenger.

The French Connection (1971) dir. William Friedkin

This groundbreaking chase sequence follows detective Jimmy Doyle (Gene Hackman) as he pursues an elevated subway train in a brown Pontiac Le Mans – from a road directly underneath the tracks. Many segments of the chase were filmed without the proper permits to do so, which means that the sequence involved the drivers avoiding uncontrolled traffic and near misses with some extremely lucky pedestrians.

If you’re a car lover and want to try something new at the weekend, here’s a list of cocktails with car names that you can try out. Of course, not before you get behind the wheel!

Sidecar

This cocktail became popular in London and Paris following World War I. The main ingredient is cognac, and it’s another simple drink that has become a classic.

Ingredients

• 50ml cognac

• 25ml Cointreau

• 25ml lemon juice

• 1 tsp sugar syrup

• Twist of orange peel (to garnish)

Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake hard. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of orange peel. If you want to be really flashy, you could also frost the glasses by dipping the rim into a shallow plate of lemon juice, then dipping it into some sugar.

Golden Cadillac

This after-dinner drink (digestif) originates from El Dorado, California. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this one’s for you.

Ingredients

• 50ml cream

• 50ml crème de cacao (white)

• 50ml Galliano

Shake all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker and serve straight up (without ice). To make it even sweeter, grate some chocolate on top or add a sprinkle of chocolate powder – mmm!

If cocktails, dinner, drinks and nights out with friends are you're thing, you'll love our new competition in collaboration with Capital FM.

Owning a car can be an expensive undertaking, especially in the UK where prices are higher than anywhere else in the world. Before making your purchase, carefully consider calculating the cost of running a car.

We all know about the normal standing charges like car tax, insurance, MOTs and breakdown cover but here is a list of extra running costs that you may have overlooked.

Fuel

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. Simply put, the amount of fuel you use is going to be the largest impact on your running costs and as crude oil prices soar, it’s unlikely this will change any time soon.

The average UK motorist paid more than £1000 for fuel last year and you can expect this number to double if you have a lengthy daily commute to work.

Buying an appropriate, fuel-efficient vehicle is going to be the greatest benefit in reducing this cost. Opting for a hybrid or alternative-energy car may be a big investment up front but will save you plenty in fuel and tax in the long run.

Another money-saving tip is to do some research on local pump prices: supermarkets in competitive areas will offer the best deals.

Tyres

Tyres are another cost you must consider. In order to maintain a safe and smooth journey, tyres must be replaced once they get too worn. Each tyre should have a minimum lifespan of 20,000 miles, meaning that over a five-year period, the average driver will go through between four and six tyres.

All this translates into roughly £120 per year for the average driver, however, unlike fuel, the price of tyres varies dramatically. Charges can differ by hundreds of pounds depending on which brand you choose and where you buy from.

Servicing and replacement parts

Faults and accidents do unfortunately happen and can really hit you where it hurts – your bank account. Therefore, it is sensible to keep an emergency savings fund for when things go wrong. We all make mistakes so for peace of mind it is also sensible to invest in fully comprehensive car insurance.

Websites such as the Reliability Index can give you a breakdown (no pun intended) of reliability by car make and model which could save you from buying a vehicle that spends half the time in the garage.

Parking and tolls

Here’s a small cost that can add up over time, £160 a year for the average driver to be exact. Contemplate where your car will be parked on a daily basis. If you don’t have access to free parking near your place of work you may be forced to fork over a small fortune on a weekly basis. For commuters that live outside major cities, park and rides could save you time and money.

Lastly, those who live in London may have to take into account the congestion charge. At an eye-watering £11.50 per day, this cost may be just enough to put you off owning a car in the capital.

There have been a few cars on the road that make me chuckle and a few that would make you stare un-blinkedly in disbelief while catching flies. I’m not saying these cars will make you ROFL* (as the young’uns put it) but you might just smirk a little.

Guffaw

Robin Reliant/Reliant Regal

This car with three wheels was powered by an engine at the front. The dirty yellow van featured in the British comedy series Only Fools and Horses is often mistaken for a Robin Reliant, however it is its predecessor the Reliant Regal.

Wooden Volkswagen Beetle

This Volkswagen Beetle didn’t start off that funny until Momir Bojic painstakingly added 50,000 pieces of hand-carved oak to it, as featured in our craziest car stories of 2014.

Bison leather covered car

In 2013 we featured a story about a Russian company covering a car in Bison leather to promote their leather-covering service, they also do boats and helicopters, not suitable for vegetarians.

If you think you need more than a funny looking car to make you laugh, say tickets to see Gary Tank Commander to be precise, then enter Capital FM Radio’s competition It’s About Who? Where you could be in with a chance of winning a whole host of prizes personalised to you.

*Rolling on the floor laughing for those of you who didn’t know.

So, we know most of their behaviour is just all part of the act you have to play to be a successful WWE wrestler, but we still like to believe it is all very much real. With the wrestlers ready to go on tour in the UK, we wanted to take a look back at the seven best moments of vehicular destruction on the show. Want to hit a wrestler where it really hurts? Go for the car.

1. Steve Austin fills Vince McMahon’s Corvette with cement

In October 1998 ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin added cement to add fuel to the fire during a battle that was already going on between himself and the WWE CEO – Vince McMahon. Austin poured cement into McMahons white convertible Corvette worth $50,000. Austin confused the crowd, turning up in a cement truck, but they soon found out the reasoning behind the mode of transport being used.

2. Steve Austin uses a monster truck to destroy The Rock’s car

There must be truth in the nickname, as ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin destroys yet another WWE member’s car – this time flattening The Rock’s brand new $40,000 Lincoln Continental, that he had purchased that morning, with a Monster Truck just for a few seconds of television time.

3. Hulk Hogan drives a semi-truck over The Undertaker’s motorbike

Following a lengthy battle for defending Triple H against The Undertaker, Hogan decided to hire a semi-truck and drive over the Undertaker’s motorcycle, obviously crushing it. The Undertaker did get his own back when he later tied Hogan to the back of a motorcycle by his ankles and rammed him into a load of boxes and pipes, leaving Hogan motionless.

4. Batista destroys JBL’s limo with a baseball bat

JBL used to turn up to every event in an obnoxious manner, stepping out of a white stretch limo, but in February 2005, Batista thought it would be appropriate to use JBL’s limo as the ball for his baseball batting practice! Needless to say the Limo ended up below driving authority standards.

5. Vince McMahon destroys his own limo in a fire explosion

If you are a real WWE fan you will know the controversy this stunt by McMahon caused. The scene shows McMahon getting into his awaiting limo, and as he shuts the door BOOM the limo explodes into a firebomb. The stunt lead journalists to report the death of CEO and Chairman of WWE, but no, again this was just another bit of extreme entertainment created for the fans where McMahon was expected to ‘return from the dead’ in the final episode.

6. John Cena and Cryme Tyme bash in JBL’s limo windows with baseball bats

In July, 2008, Cena and Tyme decided to give JBL’s limo a small makeover in front of fans. With Cena and JBL’s rivalry on full heat, and with assistance from Cryme Tyme, John Cena proceeded to trash JBL’s personalised limo with spray paint and smash it with baseball bats.

7. Brock Lesnar destroys J&J Security’s new Cadillac with an axe

In July this year, Lesnar distressed his anger towards J&J and Seth Rollins by attacking the brand new Cadillac gifted to J&J by Rollins with an axe. Lesnar destroyed the full body kit, creating massive holes and bursting the windows.

View our video below to hear from Sean, a technician from Arnold Clark, who explains the importance of jacking up your car safely.

Using axle stands is the safest way to jack up your vehicle.

To jack up your car safely, you will need:

• A car jack
• Axle stands
• Wheel chocks

If you are uncomfortable jacking up your own vehicle, bring your car into your local Arnold Clark Service department where they will be happy to assist you.

How to use a car jack and axle stands

Deciding which cars to include in this list has been nothing but difficult. And no wonder, considering that German cars comprised over 30% of car sales last year. Audi, Porsche, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Opel/Vauxhall are manufactured in Germany (to name a few!).

So how do you choose the best from the best? We decided to review hatchbacks, estate cars and performance models to determine which manufacturer’s car is the best with a capital B! To make things even easier, we presented the criteria that helped us decide – namely reliability, performance, styling and costs (ranging from 1–5 stars, 5* being the highest).

Audi RS 6

In my opinion all Audi cars are amazing, but the RS6 tops the list! It a fast estate car with a beautiful face. Its price tag is quite high, but customers say it’s worth the money! Key specs include 8-speed gearbox, LED headlamps and sat nav.

Reliability*****: The RS 6 is a very reliable and solid estate car. It also features very high-tech safety technology.

Performance****: This model has a smaller engine than its predecessors, but it’s still quite big and powerful – 552bhp 4.0 V8. It’s faster than the Mercedes S350, going 0–60mph in 3.7 seconds. Wow!

Styling****: Somewhat aggressive styling on this model, with crisp and stylish features both on the inside and the outside.

Costs***: Quite costly to run, however there are some eco-friendly versions available, that are more economical to run.

Volkswagen XL1 SEV

Volkswagen might as well be the king of affordable and reliable cars. Surprisingly, our list was topped by their latest model, which is neither. The XL1 is futuristic, exclusive and expensive. Ladies and gentleman, we give you… the world’s first green hypercar! We recently picked our top five green cars. It was built to use less than one-litre per 100km (63miles) and it looks like a tiny spaceship on the inside. It’s also very light and sleek.

Reliability****: Not many people have driven this car just yet, but overriding opinion is that the car is very, very reliable as it has many high-tech safety features.

Performance****: This model is relatively fast and its skinny tyres and great handling made us give this model a 4-star rating. What you’ll find under the bonnet also contributed to this score – it features a two-cylinder 47bhp turbo diesel engine and a 27bhp electric motor. It goes 0–62 mph in 12.7 seconds, which is not so fast…

Styling*****: Stylish is this model’s second name. The car is small and light, and the design is as novel as it could get. The styling inside is also following the concept of a green, lean and sleek car.

Costs*****: If we could give it more than 5 stars, we would. This model was built with economy in mind when talking about running costs. However, the price of the car is much more than any other in the VW range.

When they’re not spinning the decks in Ibiza, Miami or Berlin, you can catch some of the world’s most renowned DJs zooming around in some of the coolest cars on the market.

Afrojack

By ravas51 CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When Afrojack isn’t collaborating with Pitbull and Nicki Minaj he’s buying (and crashing) Ferraris. Back in 2013, Afrojack bragged on Twitter about ‘making a new friend’ – his freshly delivered 458 Italia. A mere couple of hours later he had written it off, citing bad weather as the cause. For the average human being, this would be considered a devastating travesty however Afrojack was quickly smiling again after Ferrari sent him a whole host of goodies including state-of-the-art headphones. What’s more, a month later he posed alongside his Lamborghini Aventador. What a life!

Armin Van Buuren

Image via Flickr, CC 2.0

Van Buuren has come a long way from owning his Volkswagen Polo. Nowadays, you’ll find him speeding to sold-out venues in his prestigious Jaguar F-Type. Armin said: ‘The sound that the F-Type makes is really amazing and I’m very impressed by its stylish shape. The F-Type is a distinctive car and while driving it, you’ll immediately notice the rapidly responsive handling and instinctive character.’ Considering the F-Type comes with a 770W Meridian Surround Sound System, the world-renowned DJ is definitely an appropriate owner!

Want to win a VIP clubbing night?

If you enjoy a night out, Capital FM is giving you the chance to win a VIP clubbing night, along with a whole host of other prizes personalised to you.

At the turn of the twentieth century, France was the largest car manufacturer in the world. While the current French car industry might have fallen behind their German neighbours, when it comes to classic cars, there are few countries with such an impressive heritage and auto-fashion pedigree. We’ve picked a selection of the best.

T-26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Coupé

Image by Gregory Moine (1951 Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Coupe) CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Talbot-Lago was a French car manufacturer based just outside of Paris. The company enjoyed huge success in the post-war period. With a selection of high-performance racing cars and luxurious passenger cars, the Talbot-Lago range was always at the height of both design and performance excellence.

Though they might not have been the best at floating the cash register (the company almost suffered bankruptcy in 1959), there’s no doubt about it, Talbot-Lago created some truly beautiful cars.

This T-26 Grand Sport Saoutchik Coupé is a stunning example, and the teardrop style of the coachwork reminds us of the Daimler DB18 owned by Sir Arnold Clark.

The 1951 model pictured above had a 4.5-litre six-cylinder engine that produced nearly 200bhp.

Renault 4CV

Image by Andrew Bone (1960 Renault 4CV) CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the French big three of the automobile industry, Renault has had some brilliant cars over the years. The best? We had to go retro.

The Renault 4CV was a stylish car in a small package. Like the modern Renault Twingo, the 4DV had a rear-engine, allowing for easy manoeuvres around the city.

With a shape reminiscent of a VW Beetle and four B-pillar-hinged doors, there’s no denying the charm of this quirky city car.

Citroën DS

Image by Joe Mabel (1974 Citroën DS) CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Another renowned French manufacturer, Citroën was founded in 1919 and led the way in car sales and servicing. The DS, revealed in 1955, revolutionised car technology and won numerous awards for its visionary design and overall automotive impact.

The DS is an icon of its era. The imaginative shape evokes an alien spaceship and a comfortable minimalist interior was created to complement the futuristic design to typical of the sci-fi-obsessed 50s.

Looks are not the only aspect of the motor industry that the DS has influenced. The introduction of disc brakes and a hydraulic system that incorporated the suspension, transmission and clutch saw the Citroën DS secure its place in history as a pioneer in the field.  

Peugeot 203

Image by Lars-Göran (Peugeot 203 Cabriocoach 1950) CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Spacious, comfortable and, for the time, remarkably powerful - family wagons were a popular choice in 1940s Europe. Production of the 203 had to be halted during World War II but after five years of prolonged development it was released to the market.

A variety of versions of the Peugeot 203 were produced, from a compact 2-door coupé to the historic Familiale, a 6-seater with an extended wheelbase. No matter the size, the 203 always retained a simple elegance with rounded wheel fenders and a distinctive traditional nose.

Delage D8 120S

Image by Mr Choppers (1939 Delage D8-120) CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Of all the cars on this list, stylish though they may be, nothing comes close to le luxe de la D8. Delage originally produced high-performance racecars out of Paris and early success on the track allowed the company to expand to luxury automobiles over the 1920s and 30s, a golden age of French motoring.

The D8 is the pinnacle of Delage engineering and helped the company achieve its prestigious reputation for quality. A custom 8-cylinder engine could deliver 120 bhp and a top speed of just under 100mph. These specifications attracted an affluent customer who desired both a high-speed touring vehicle and a status symbol.

The definition of French style, a magnificent body shape makes the D8 one of the most desirable collector’s items in the world. A glamorous elongated bonnet stretches towards the imposing front radiator and makes an instant impression. Anyone lucky enough to see the D8 in person will be sure to leave with a new personal favourite.

Want to win a romantic break to Paris?

Image by Alvesgaspar (Courtyard of the Louvre Museum, with the Pyramid) CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The dramatic banks of the Seine, the hills of Montmartre, la Tour Eiffel – not to mention the glorious cuisine – there’s so much joy to be had on a jaunt to Paris. Capital FM is giving you the opportunity to win a holiday to the city of lights, along with a whole host of other prizes personalised to you.

Arnold Clark recently donated a spacious van for use as a support vehicle during long-distance runner Elspeth Luke’s Scottish Watershed challenge. Over 34 days she covered 660 miles, 45 Munros, 24 Corbetts and endless bogs. She covered an average of 20 miles per day.

The spacious Ford Transit LCV provided by Arnold Clark has ensured that the Funding Neuro team has travelled comfortably during their gruelling fundraising endeavour. In addition, the Ford Transit benefits from light and responsive acceleration, which makes for a smooth drive – particularly necessary following long days of intense physical challenges!

Arnold Clark Managing Director Eddie Hawthorne said, ‘We’re delighted to be able to support Elspeth and her team during this incredible challenge. Funding Neuro is a wonderful charity and we wish them all the best in their fundraising efforts so that they can continue with their groundbreaking research.’

The Scottish Watershed is the drainage divide that runs down the middle of the nation, separating the river systems that flow to the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The route started at Peel Fell in the centre of the Scottish Borders to Duncansby Head in the North East of Scotland.

Elspeth is the first woman to complete the epic run and has raised over £10,000 for Funding Nuero, a Glasgow-based charity that works to fund brain and spinal disease research. Funding Nuero is very close to Elspeth’s heart as her father is currently living with Parkinson’s. The charity seeks to raise £900,000 in order to fund trials for children with brain tumours.

Elspeth’s mother Catharine said, ‘Thank you very much to Arnold Clark for the use of the van. It’s been a great help and definitely made Elspeth’s ‘Watershed of Scotland’ more bearable!’

Congratulations to Elspeth for completing this incredibly demanding physical challenge and we wish Funding Nuero all the best with their ground-breaking research.

This summer, Vauxhall will pioneer the use of the OnStar system in the UK. This exciting new in-car technology includes emergency response notifications, vehicle recovery and a high-speed 4G Wi-Fi connection.

OnStar will be available free to Vauxhall customers for their first year, so we’ve had a look at some of its defining features to see what it can bring to your motoring experience.

The first all-new Vauxhall to get OnStar will be the British-built Astra, which arrives in UK showrooms in October.

Stay connected with Wi-Fi

It would seem the future is finally here – OnStar brings a 4G hotspot into your car, offering a similar level of connectivity for your passengers as a home hub. Accessed via the roof antenna, the technology means that up to seven devices can be used at any one time to access Wi-Fi within your vehicle – a boon for any driver who uses Google Maps to navigate or streams music while they drive.

Life-preserving technology

If the worst should happen and you’re in a crash, an OnStar advisor will get in touch with you via the hands-free speakerphone in your dashboard. It’s activated automatically as soon an airbag is deployed, and will report your location to the emergency services.

Theft assistance

If your car is stolen, OnStar will provide police with the requisite information to ensure your car is tracked, traced and recovered. There’s even a remote ignition block that prevents the vehicle starting as soon as it has been reported as stolen.

Diagnostics delivered

Every month, users will receive an email with updates on all their current vehicle information. You can also retrieve a diagnostics check before you leave, meaning you can get on with longer journeys without worrying about your fuel or oil levels.

Smartphone, smarter car

There are so many ways in which Onstar’s users can stay connected. With your smartphone, you can connect to your car remotely and monitor its status, whether it’s to remotely lock the car, review your tyre pressure or update the sat-nav system with new destinations.

What is it?

Arnold Clark service centres across the UK are running an exciting new competition called ‘Buy a Hankook Tyre, Win £1,000’. Customers will be entered into a draw to win £1,000 when they buy a Hankook tyre during the months of September, October and November.

There will be six winners over the course of the promotion, amounting to a total of £6,000 that is up for grabs.

Need more than one tyre? Don’t worry – Arnold Clark will give you an entry for every single tyre you purchase.

TyreSafe reveals that more than a quarter of drivers have unsafe tyres

The promotion follows an alarming discovery made by TyreSafe, which recently found that more than a quarter of all drivers had an illegal tyre on their vehicle at the time they were replaced. This means that tyres were below the legal tread limit of 1.6mm, therefore were unsafe to use and potentially putting driver and passenger lives at risk.

‘As vehicles have become increasingly reliable, owners have become less used to performing what were once considered basic precautionary checks before setting off on a journey,’ explains Stuart Jackson, Chairman at TyreSafe. ‘Tyres too are much more technologically advanced but they do wear and can get damaged so it is down to the driver to regularly check they’re safe.’

Arnold Clark encourages tyre safety

Arnold Clark is encouraging customers to examine their tyres to assess whether they need to be replaced in order to meet the legal safety limit.

Stewart MacAulay, Arnold Clark Aftersales Director said:

‘The advantages of changing your tyres in accordance with safety regulations and the changes in weather are added safety, value for money, improved fuel economy, reduced emissions, compatibility and performance. As well as popping into your local branch, view our tyre advice page for tips on how to maintain your tyres.’

Arnold Clark service centres offer a free tyre safety check

Arnold Clark service centres will be offering all customers a FREE tyre safety check in a bid to reduce the number of road accidents caused by poor tyre maintenance.

The current condition of tyres should be carefully inspected, looking out for any cuts, lumps or bulges in the tyre, which may lead to their condition being unsafe. The tread area should also be inspected for any signs of uneven wear with any embedded objects removed. Tyres deemed to be unsafe could cost you up to £2,500 per tyre, and three points on your licence if stopped by the Police.

How does it work?

Enjoy a test drive in a brand new 65-plate or delivery mileage car from 4th–7th September at Arnold Clark, and receive a £25 restaurant voucher.*

In addition, any new car purchases will receive a FREE 2-year Service Plan up to the value of £400.

Simple!

*By appointment only.

Where can I spend my voucher?

These tasty giveaways can be redeemed in a range of high street food chains, including Jamie’s Italian, Nandos, Zizzi’s, Yo! Sushi and Ask Italian, among others.

What's on offer?

Some of the tasty deals on offer on brand-new 65-plate and delivery mileage cars at Arnold Clark are:

• Brand new 65 Vauxhall Viva 1.0 SE 5dr, cost new £7995, our price £7495.
• Delivery mileage 15 Citroën Ds3 1.2 PureTech Dsign Plus 3dr, cost new £14,535, our price from £10,988.
• Brand new ŠKODA Fabia 1.0 MPI 60 S 5dr, cost new £10,600, our price from £9995.
• Brand new SEAT Ibiza 1.4 Toca 3dr, cost new £12995, our price from £8995.
• Brand new Volkswagen up! 1.0 High up! 3dr cost new 11385, our price from £10,795.

If you’ve had your eye on a new car then this weekend is the perfect time to seal the deal.

When you turn 18, the world is your oyster and one of the most exciting new freedoms to enjoy is the purchase of your first car.

So what should your priorities be when you make that all-important investment? Certainly you’ll be considering exciting features like the sound system and trim, but you also have to give some thought to peace of mind, running costs and roadside assistance. After all, it’s important to start your new chapter as a driver as you mean to go on.

Luckily, Peugeot has recognised that most new motorists would prefer to get everything sorted at the same time, with just one, simple monthly outgoing. So they’ve created an all-inclusive package designed to take care of all your motoring needs. Called ‘Just Add Fuel’, it’s now available to over 18s on all 108s.

So what exactly does the ‘Just Add Fuel’ package entail? This unique finance option from Peugeot includes:

• 3 years’ insurance,
• 3 years’ warranty,
• 3 years’ servicing,
• 3 years’ car tax, and
• 3 years’ roadside assistance.

All of the above is covered by just one monthly payment, meaning all customers have to do is add fuel and go!

What’s more, the scheme also comes with a discreet telematics device, which will be sent to you shortly after your new car is delivered. Once you’ve installed it in your vehicle it will record and send data on your driving – your speed, acceleration, deceleration and general driving style. This information can then be accessed via an online portal, through which you can learn and grow as a driver.

Your local Arnold Clark Peugeot dealer should be able to answer any questions you might have about the ‘Just Add Fuel’ package, so book an appointment today for more information.

Minimum age 18, maximum age 75. Drivers are required to install the telematics box and consent to data capture and transmission to qualify for insurance. All drivers must hold a full UK licence and meet eligibility criteria including limits on driving convictions and claims. Insurance is subject to cancellation if you receive four warnings for poor driving. Excesses apply. Three years’ motor insurance is provided and underwritten by UK Insurance Limited, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. This offer is not available in Northern Ireland. Written quotations available from PSA Finance UK Limited t/a Peugeot Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill RH1 1QA. An initial rental (amount dependent on size of monthly payment) and final rental is payable. JAF is incorporated into a personal lease contract; you will not own the car. Excess mileage charges may apply. Routine servicing included, excludes wear parts. A guarantee may be required. Peugeot Motor Company Plc is acting as a credit broker and is not a lender. To finance your lease we will only introduce you to Peugeot Financial Services, the exclusive provider of Just Add Fuel. Rentals quoted for a typical customer and will vary according to age, postcode, initial rental and annual mileage.

Kat Furlong, in-car safety manager from Good Egg Safety, spoke to Amy about the law surrounding car seats.

In the first of our child in-car safety videos, Kat explains who needs a car seat and when according to the law.

You can view other parts of this series via the links below.

• Part 1: Car seats and the law

• Part 2: i-Size explained

Technology

In creating the new 500, Fiat teamed up with international leader in high tech automotive systems, Magneti Marelli. The company supplied a range of components including instrument panels, shock absorbers, lighting systems and the suspension system. Only the best quality components could ever be good enough to carry on the Fiat 500 legacy.

Engine range

The new 500 will launch with three engine options that bring both efficiency and fun to the mix. As friendly to the environment as it is to your bank balance, the highest CO2 emission across the engine range is a mere 99 grams per kilometre.

1.2-litre petrol

• Gears: 5
• Power: 69bhp
• Acceleration (sec): 0–62 mph in 12.9
• Maximum speed (mph): 99
• Consumption mpg (l/100km)
  • Urban: 51.4 (5.5)
  • Extra urban: 65.7 (4.3)
  • Combined: 60.1 (4.7)
• CO2 emissions (g/km): 110

0.9-litre Twinair petrol 85bhp

• Gears: 5
• Power: 85bhp
• Acceleration (sec): 0–62 mph in 11.0
• Maximum speed (mph): 107
• Consumption mpg (l/100km)
  • Urban: 61.4 (4.6)
  • Extra urban: 83.1 (3.4)
  • Combined: 74.3 (3.8)
• CO2 emissions (g/km): 90

0.9-litre Twinair petrol 105bhp

• Gears: 6
• Power: 105bhp
• Acceleration (sec): 0–62 mph in 10.0
• Maximum speed (mph): 117
• Consumption mpg (l/100km)
  • Urban: 51.4 (5.5)
  • Extra urban: 80.7 (3.5)
  • Combined: 67.3 (4.2)
• CO2 emissions (g/km): 99