Allegro Fantasies - 13 June 2023

FOLLOW UP: COURT APPROVES MORE AREAS OF ULEZ CONTENTION

The High Court has approved a further two grounds for contesting the expansion of the London ULEZ, following initial legal efforts in February where only two of five grounds were accepted. There are five councils fighting the expansion which is due to be reviewed on 4 July. To learn more, click here to read the Enfield Dispatch article.

‘NO MOW MAY’ RAISES CONCERNS

‘No Mow May’ is a campaign that allows verges to grow, thus enabling plant life to flourish. However, some concerns have been raised as this has led to reduced visibility. PlantLife have helped 300 local authorities to adopt this. Click this Autocar link to learn more.

EV SHOULD PAY-PER-MILE SAYS THINK TANK

The Centre for Policy Studies, an organisation with strong links to the Conservatives, has recommended to the Government, that all EVs are charged per mile, to help replace the lost vehicle excise duty venue. They go on to recommend a set amount of free mileage per year, with those in more remote locations allocated more. The rates would also tie into the weight of the vehicle. You can learn more, by clicking the AMOnline article link here.

STELLANTIS PROMOTING KEEPING CARS ON THE ROAD LONGER

The average age of cars on the road is twelve years, but Stellantis is suggesting fifteen is easily possible with remanufacturing. This is where cars that have reached the end of life are harvested for parts that can be refurbished and used by others. All of this will help reduce CO2, as a consequence. Click this Autocar Business article to learn more.

To watch The Late Brake Show about ‘deproduction’, click this YouTube link.

To read the Autocar Business article on ‘deproduction’, click the link here.

MERCEDES GETS LEVEL 3 APPROVAL IN CALIFORNIA

Mercedes-Benz US has gain approval for their Level 3 automated driving system, in California. Called ‘Drive Pilot’ and once engaged, will allow the driver to take their hands from the steering wheel and look away from the road. The driver needs to keep their face to the in-car monitoring camera but can do other things, like play with their phone. All of this will only occur when up to 40mph and when the car is in heavy traffic. Click The Verge article link to learn more.

For context as to Andrew’s anger at this being deployed, and the change in tune from Mercedes from only a few months ago when it comes to responsibility, click this LinkedIn post.

For even more context, a piece from The Autopian, explaining why Level 3 is a bad idea and inherently flawed,

FOLLOW UP: COURT APPROVES MORE AREAS OF ULEZ CONTENTION

The High Court has approved a further two grounds for contesting the expansion of the London ULEZ, following initial legal efforts in February where only two of five grounds were accepted. There are five councils fighting the expansion which is due to be reviewed on 4 July. To learn more, click here to read the Enfield Dispatch article.

‘NO MOW MAY’ RAISES CONCERNS

‘No Mow May’ is a campaign that allows verges to grow, thus enabling plant life to flourish. However, some concerns have been raised as this has led to reduced visibility. PlantLife have helped 300 local authorities to adopt this. Click this Autocar link to learn more.

EV SHOULD PAY-PER-MILE SAYS THINK TANK

The Centre for Policy Studies, an organisation with strong links to the Conservatives, has recommended to the Government, that all EVs are charged per mile, to help replace the lost vehicle excise duty venue. They go on to recommend a set amount of free mileage per year, with those in more remote locations allocated more. The rates would also tie into the weight of the vehicle. You can learn more, by clicking the AMOnline article link here.

STELLANTIS PROMOTING KEEPING CARS ON THE ROAD LONGER

The average age of cars on the road is twelve years, but Stellantis is suggesting fifteen is easily possible with remanufacturing. This is where cars that have reached the end of life are harvested for parts that can be refurbished and used by others. All of this will help reduce CO2, as a consequence. Click this Autocar Business article to learn more.

To watch The Late Brake Show about ‘deproduction’, click this YouTube link.

To read the Autocar Business article on ‘deproduction’, click the link here.

MERCEDES GETS LEVEL 3 APPROVAL IN CALIFORNIA

Mercedes-Benz US has gain approval for their Level 3 automated driving system, in California. Called ‘Drive Pilot’ and once engaged, will allow the driver to take their hands from the steering wheel and look away from the road. The driver needs to keep their face to the in-car monitoring camera but can do other things, like play with their phone. All of this will only occur when up to 40mph and when the car is in heavy traffic. Click The Verge article link to learn more.

For context as to Andrew’s anger at this being deployed, and the change in tune from Mercedes from only a few months ago when it comes to responsibility, click this LinkedIn post.

For even more context, a piece from The Autopian, explaining why Level 3 is a bad idea and inherently flawed, click here to read that.

TOYOTA DEVELOPS AN OFF-ROAD SEAT

Unfortunately, unlike last week’s And Finally, we don’t have bum scans to share with you on this seat story, but Toyota have looked at improving comfort in their rugged off-road vehicles. The IsoDynamic Performance Seat is designed to keep the driver in control of the vehicle, with their head still, their hands on the wheel and lessen the strain on the body. You can learn more, by clicking this Design News article link here.

If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCASTNEW NEW CAR NEWS - Volvo EX30

Volvo revealed their smallest SUV, their fastest accelerating car and their most recycled vehicle in the form of the EX30. The impressiveness does not end there, prices start at £32,000 for the quite well equipped base model. Range and battery make up changes as you move through the trim levels. Click this Top Gear article to read about a car that both Andrew and Alan are struggling to see the downside of, if you can afford the asking price.

To read about Bcomp’s involvement with the interior, click their article link here.

Chery Jaecoo 7 SUV and Omoda C5

Chery, a Chinese brand, are coming to the UK in 2024. Their plan is to bring the Omoda C5, a Nissan CashCow rival, over first, followed by the larger Jaecoo 7, both of which are SUVs. They will come with ICE and EV options. They are working on having 40 - 50 dealerships open in time for their launch and aim for 100 in total. Click here to see more about their move from Autocar, and if you think it will work.

Fiat Topolino

Fiat has revealed their rebadged Citroën Ami, but it looks perfect and very “small Italian car”. The owners of private villas along the Amalfi coast will be rushing to purchase their own tiny electric vehicle. To see more, click this Autocar link.

Polaris Xpedition

Not really a car, but it looks awesome fun, the Polaris Xpedition is a four door ATV, which you can spend a long time sorting with the optional extras. Perfect for those weekends in the wilderness that Alan can now enjoy as he’s in the good old US of A. Click this link to visit their website and lose some of your day. you can thank us later.

Porsche Mission X

This concept, from Porsche, is the replacement for the 918 that ceased production in 2015. The Mission X will be the showcase of their technology, which will trickle into their line up over time, save the 1500bhp output we expect. To learn more, click this Autocar link here.

Volvo culls some models

Volvo is to cease selling the S90, XC40 PHEV and Cross Country estates, in the UK. They state this is so they can concentrate on their EV future, but sales figures were very low for each of these too. You can find out more by clicking this Autocar link here.

LUNCHTIME READ: HOW THE FIAT X1/9 GOT (AND KEPT) ITS NAME

Matteo Licata, writing for Hagerty, tells the virtually unknown and fascinating story about how Fiat named the X1/9 and how that stuck. Click this link here to read this wonderful piece from Matteo.

LIST OF THE WEEK: THE WEIRD, WEIRD WORLD OF FORGOTTEN CAR ACCESSORIES

Enjoy clicking through 49 slides on this Autocar supplied list, showing how far we have come, in terms of safety and motoring convenience. Don’t forget to let the chaps know if you agree with their choices and what stood out for you. Click this link to see more.

AND FINALLY: ASTON MARTIN BULLDOG HITS 200MPH

Designed in the late 1970s to exceed 200mph, finally that target has been achieved in the only example built, thanks to the desire and, frankly, cash of the current owner. Click here to read all about this feat, from Classic and Sports Car.