Callum Design, the automotive design house headed by ex-Jaguar man Ian Callum, is transitioning into a car maker in
its own right. The company has unveiled its first own-brand vehicle, developed fully in-house – and it’s an off-roader.
Specifically, the Skye is ‘the world’s most beautiful high performance, multi-terrain vehicle.’

Built in very small numbers for people with very big bank balances, it will combine lightweight with an advanced all-electric drivetrain to combine sportscar performance and handling with a 170-mile range and ultra-fast charging times.

Measuring 4047mm long and 1900mm wide, the Skye promises ‘impeccably balanced 50/50 weight distribution.’
Its buggy-like 2+2 body is mounted on a steel spaceframe supporting all-independent suspension with high ground
clearance and long travel for all-terrain use. Callum says the vehicle’s styling is ‘focused on its rugged practical
capabilities and off-road prowess.’

Full details of the vehicle’s specifications are promised by the spring of 2024, with final development work and testing continuing in the meantime. Callum speaks of ‘curated variants, each finely tailored for focused on or off-road use’.

With petrol prices on the rise again, Brits are being offered tips on how to keep the fuel gage up after visiting the pumps.

The penny-pinching team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together their advice for motorists on making fuel last longer.

Among the suggestions is taking anything weighty out of your car, driving smoothly and keeping an eye on tyre pressure.

Other tricks to try to reduce fuel consumption include keeping the heat and air-con to a minimum and combining journeys as often as you can.

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes said: “Cash strapped Brits are already feeling the pressure of rising living costs and another hike in fuel costs is going to add to that pressure even further.

“If there are little things that can be done to make fuel stretch that little bit further then it’s certainly worth doing them. Simple things like taking anything weighty out of the boot – we’re all guilty of leaving things lurking in it – and keeping a check on tyre pressure.

“Making a few of these small changes and being aware of our driving habits can help us make our fuel last longer.”

Here are NetVoucherCodes.co.uk’s tips on ways to save fuel:

1. Reduce unnecessary weight

The heavier your car is the more fuel is required to lug it around. Try to take out whatever you can to reduce the weight of your car which should reduce the amount of fuel used.

2. Drive smoothly

If you’re racing around in your car, chances are you are using a lot more fuel. Try to drive smoothly and consistently – avoid sharp braking, drive at a consistent speed and avoid unnecessary overtaking.

3. Keep an eye on your tyre pressure

If your tyre pressure is low, your car will need to use more energy to use it and more energy means using more fuel. Try to check your tyre pressure every couple of weeks to avoid this happening.

4. Change gear earlier and avoid revving your engine 

Revving your engine means more fuel will be used so try to change gear earlier and avoid sending the dial higher on the speedometer. A lot of newer cars will indicate on the dashboard when you should move into higher or lower to help with this.

5. Avoid using too much air-con and heat

Using too much air-con and heat also uses energy which again, increases fuel consumption. Think twice before turning these up too high – open windows and layer up instead.

6. Combine journeys

Your engine performs more efficiently once it’s warmed up. If you take frequent, short journeys, you’re not giving it enough time to heat up and essentially you’ll be using more fuel. Try to plan journeys in one round trip – this way your engine will be warm, allowing it to work more efficiently and you’ll be using up less fuel.

7. Look for other ways to travel

The most obvious solution to save fuel is to try to use your car less. Instead of driving to pick up your takeaway, walk. And maybe car share with a colleague to get to work.

Drivers are being warned about eleven new and updated highway laws that could catch them out.

The motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk have revealed some of the lesser known, recently introduced rules that motorists might not know.

Updated regulations range from it being legally required to get a good night’s sleep before embarking on big journeys, to now having to leave much larger gaps between vehicles on icy roads.

Other updates include safety measures and on motorways, reiterating sensible driving, and a ‘hierarchy of road users’, which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists over all other road users.

A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said: “Every sensible motorist knows that exceeding the speed limit and drink driving is illegal and dangerous.

“Many won’t realise, though, that new rules are constantly being added to the Highway Code. Their amends are usually quite straightforward, but the reminder never hurts.

“The laws make being a road user safer and it’s important for every driver to understand the updates. The Highway Code has more than 300 rules and many people don’t give the 150-page book a second thought after passing their theory test.

“Some of their recent amendments, like asking drivers to ‘focus on the road ahead when passing an incident’ are generally common sense, but it’s better to be written down.

“Acknowledging, applying and sharing these new and updated rules could save a life.”

LeaseCar.uk’s reminder of new Highway Code rules to note:

1. Awareness of stopping distance is crucial for any driver, but especially those who travel on fast roads. The gap should be doubled on wet roads, but an update to the rules means drivers should leave a gap up to ten times greater when travelling at high speeds on icy terrain. 
2. A ‘hierarchy of road users’ has been introduced, to help protect those that are most at risk of harm. Pedestrians are at the top of the hierarchy, with priority going to children and those less mobile. Cyclists are next, followed by horse-riders, then motorcyclists, cars and taxis, vans and minibuses, coaches and finally heavy goods vehicles.
3. An update to the rules means sleepy drivers can’t stop in emergency areas of the motorway or road. This is in addition to the hard shoulder. The Highway Code also tells drivers to get enough sleep before setting off and to take rest breaks at service stations.
4. It also recommends that drivers have high vis clothing in the vehicle, and a mobile containing emergency contacts on them.
5. People that hog lanes on fast roads are often moaned about for being a nuisance, but it is also an extremely dangerous thing to do. An update to the Highway Code rule number 138 states that road users on a dual carriageway with three or more lanes, can use righthand lanes to overtake, but they should return to the left-hand lane. Rule 264 now states ‘keep in the left lane unless overtaking’.
6. There is an extra clause added to ‘be aware emergency services, traffic officers, recovery workers and other people or vehicles that have stopped’ and encourages those in the left lane, to move into the adjacent lane if it’s safe.
7. An update also states that drivers should check all their mirrors and slow down ahead of entering foggy areas.
8. Drivers can’t reverse or drive against the traffic on a motorway and amended text to highway code rule 263 adds slip roads, hard shoulders, and emergency areas too.
9. The Highway Code also recommends that drivers who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired should register for the 999-text service called emergencySMS.net, so they can receive help on busy roads quickly and safely if needed.
10. People that hold provisional licences can’t drive on the motorway, unless they are driving a dual controlled car with L plates on, and they are accompanied by a DVSA approved instructor. Motorcyclists with a provisional can’t practice on the motorway and pedestrians, cyclists, riders of motorcycles under 50cc, horse riders shouldn’t be on there either.
11. Motorways are also having a revamp, motorists will be warned of any upcoming hazards, like a spillage, an incident, fog, road workers with signs above lanes. Red flashing light signals and a red ‘X’ on a sign indicate a closed lane in which hazards are present. Drivers must follow instructions on signs in advance of a closed lane to most safely to an open lane.

• Google Trends data analysed by Compare the Market have revealed that Toyota is the world’s most searched car brand for the second consecutive year
• The Japanese car manufacturer was the top search term in 47 out of 154 countries for 2021
• Toyota has held the title for 3 out of 4 years that Compare the Market has run the report, but is losing ground to competitors like BMW and Mercedes

For the second year in a row, Toyota reigns supreme as the most searched car brand according to Compare the Market’s annual analysis of Google Trends data.

The data reveals that the Japanese car manufacturer topped searches in 47 of the 154 countries analysed, representing around 31% of all searches. But it’s not all about winning glory – searches have decreased from almost 35% in 2020, and other brands are starting to gain some ground.

In the four years since Compare the Market began publishing the report, Toyota, BMW and Mercedes have remained a consistent trio on the podium, with Toyota on top in 2018, 2020 and 2021.

The anomaly was 2019, where BMW secured the win in a whopping 118 countries, leaving its competitors in the dust. The impressive lead contributed to BMW holding the title of most searched across all four years, on average.

Despite Mercedes sitting in third place each year, in 2021 the brand closed the gap by almost 70%, sitting only 6 countries short of 2^nd place in comparison to last year where it was 19 behind.

Audi also saw considerable improvement in its ranking. Not only did the brand more than double the number of countries where it was the top search (from 5 to 11 countries in 2021), its ranking position increased from 6^th to 4^th this year.

2021 was also the first year that Compare the Market incorporated Tesla into the analysis. Despite appearing in the top 3 searches for 24 countries, only 5 of them listed the brand as their top search (China, Hong Kong, Israel, Macao and Singapore).

In contrast, brands such as Ford, Nissan and Peugeot appear to be losing speed in the race. Each search term’s ranking dropped by at least three places, with Ford barely scraping into 9^th place in comparison to 5^th place in 2020.

There are a number of reasons which could explain why Toyota remained in the top spot for the second consecutive year. In November 2021, Toyota Gazoo Racing announced that it would start reproducing spare parts for its Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno makes.[i]

These parts had previously been discontinued, but with the reintroduction of them, car lovers could continue driving and enjoying vehicles from the past. Toyota also launched a suite of other vehicles in 2021. This included a full line-up of electric cars that reduce CO2 emissions,[ii] the world-first Corolla SUV[iii] and a completely redesigned Land Cruiser.[iv]

Visit comparethemarket.com.au to see the full list of most searched car brands around the world, including the ranking list from 2018 to 2021.

[i] Toyota – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to Reproduce and Sell Spare Parts for the AE86 Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno

[ii] Toyota – Details of All-New bZ4X BEV Announced

[iii] Toyota – Toyota to Launch All-New Corolla Cross in Japan [iv] Toyota – Toyota Launches New Land Cruiser

A recent study has identified some interesting facts… Breakdowns and car faults are the most common reason UK drivers replace their vehicles and apparently those living in the North of England will, on average, own more cars than motorists in the South.

The study was conducted by the car-buying experts at www.perrys.co.uk who asked 2,200 UK drivers over the age of 35 years old a series of questions about the average length of their vehicle ownership, to find out just how many vehicles UK adults go through in a lifetime. 

One of the most significant findings revealed that British motorists will get through 13 cars in their lifetime, on average. 

When asked about their experiences of vehicle ownership throughout the years, it was revealed that respondents typically own cars for longer, later in life. Demographically, it was found that those aged 50+ will usually own a car for seven years, whereas more than two thirds (67%) admitted that when they were younger drivers (aged 18-24) they replaced their vehicle on average every two years.

What’s more, location impacted how long drivers keep their cars for as well. Regionally, it was found that those living in the North of England will, on average, go through 16 cars during their lifetime, while those in the South will own just 10. 

When asked what key factors have led to respondents replacing vehicles more frequently, the most common reasons why were found to be:

1. Breakdowns and car faults – 81%
2. Change of lifestyle – 75% 
3. Change of employment – 63%
4. Moving to a different area – 60% 
5. Environmental reasons – 32%  

Some of the lifestyle changes that factored into purchasing a new car included financial reasons (27%), followed by having children (18%) and wanting a new car type (15%).

Quizzed further on the potential environmental reasons for switching cars, the most common answer was revealed to be ‘wanting an electric or hybrid vehicle’ (34%), with ‘reducing car size to lower emissions’ (29%) and ‘wanting a car with an eco-friendlier fuel type’ (19%). 

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from www.perrys.co.uk said:

“This study offers a fascinating insight into the reasons why drivers want to buy a new car.  While it’s not surprising that breakdowns and car faults are big factors, it’s a reminder that you can never be too prepared to have to purchase a new or replacement vehicle. We’re pleased to see sustainability is becoming a major reason to change cars, with the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles constantly on the rise. Consequently, we think these cars will continue to grow in popularity in the future, helping to improve people’s carbon footprint and ultimately take crucial steps towards a greener future.”