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One Lap of the Web: Christmas edition

-- Ferrari is getting into the Christmas spirit by... towing Santa's sleigh with one of their F138 race cars. Spoiler alert: We don't know what visual-effects house Ferrari used, but we have a feeling the sleigh was towed slightly slower than the velocity shown in the video.

2014 Volvo XC60 upgraded by Heico Sportiv

Polestar isn't the only Volvo tuner out there, and it's about to face some stiff competition from Stuttgart's Heico Sportiv. If you're not familiar with the company, it offers performance and design upgrades for virtually every Volvo model of the last 20 years. Heico Sportiv took its offerings to the Essen Motor Show in Germany last month, an event often compared to SEMA.

Genesis and Elantra to star in Hyundai's Super Bowl ads

Hyundai is getting ready for the Big Game, and by that we really mean the big ad game, and the stars of their seventh consecutive Super Bowl ads will be the 2015 Genesis and the 2014 Elantra. Last year's Super Bowl ad from the automaker featured the Hyundai Santa Fe in two spots titled "Epic Playdate" and "Team," both of which were well received. For Super Bowl XLVIII, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis spot titled "Dad's Sixth Sense" is set to air during the first quarter of the game, and all Hyundai is saying for now is that it will highlight the sedan's Automatic Emergency Braking feature in a way that relates to the near-misses and saves of everyday parenting.

Overfinch reveals bespoke 2014 Range Rover

The debut of the long-wheelbase Range Rover a month ago raised the bar when it comes to SUVs acting as chauffeured limousines, even if the model was arguably a few years late to the market's demands. When coupled with the Autobiography Black trim, the long-wheelbase Range Rover didn't quite turn into a conference room on wheels, but it did do a good impression of first-class airline seating. If that model is meant to be a chauffeured limousine more than anything else, the standard-wheelbase Range Rover is still the ticket if you want to take the wheel yourself.

Need to report a POTHOLE? Government-backed App makes it easy

Need to report a POTHOLE? Government-backed App makes it easy There can’t be many motorists in the UK who haven’t fallen foul of our pitted and potholed roads (one of the Cars UK team had a £1500 suspension re-build bill last year), so anything we can do to point out what needs doing is a bonus. So the news that the government is backing an App to report potholes in the UK to the tune of £30,000 is good news (assuming the reported potholes get acted on).

Peugeot 408 GT Coupe planned for 2016

Peugeot 408 GT Coupe planned for 2016 based on the 308 (pictured) The market for smaller four-door coupes has grown in recent years, and it looks like the Mercedes CLA – the four-door coupe version of the Mercedes A-Class – is a runaway success. That seems to have given Peugeot the idea that it should revive the ’40-something’ badge a couple of years after they dropped the 407 and 607 in favour of the 508 and build a new coupe, this time a four-door. The Peugeot 407 was a larger two-door coupe – the not quite as convincing update for the very good 406 coupe – which had an old-world coupe feel and was very much a niche product in Peugeot’s range.

Digital repreive for drivers as FM switch-off postponed

MILLIONS OF CAR OWNERS have been saved from missing out on listening to the radio in their cars as the Government has delayed switching off FM transmitters in favour of digital radio. The move comes as the Government admits that more needs to be done to convince radio users to switch to DAB digital radio instead of sticking with FM. Ed Vaizey, the communications minister, said: ‘We have to support digital radio, but we also respect people’s passion for radio and not being made to do something they don’t want to.’ At present, digital radio accounts for about a third (36.5%) of all radio listening, but take up has been lower among car drivers who are used to FM.

Cycling charity given pothole funds

MONEY TO ENABLE more cyclists to report pothole problems through a new smartphone application is being provided by the Government. Whitehall is giving £30,000 to help cycling charity the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), revamp its '"Fill That Hole" website and develop a new app. More than nine million iPhone users can download the website's current app to report potholed roads to their councils.

Half of Brits would name drink driver

NEARLY HALF (47%) of people in the UK would willingly report a drink driver, even of that person was a family member. Of those who would report a family member, half again (48%) said they would do it even if it was their partner, husband or wife. The research by insurance firm Confused.com also found that 17% of drivers believe there should be a complete ban on drinking and driving.

Drink-drive advert breaks new ground

A NEW TELEVISION ADVERT to warn of the dangers of drink-driving is the first ever to deliberately use a drunken presenter. In the advert, an actor who was recorded the evening before having taken several alcoholic drinks is heard to slur, stumble and giggle as he tries to describe how is body feels in reaction to the alcohol. However, the film shows the same actor the next day when he appears sober but his body is still dealing with the alcohol.

European Car of the Year shortlist announced

THE SEVEN CARS that will battle it out to become European Car of the Year (ECOTY) 2014 have been announced. Decided on by a jury of 53 motoring journalists from across Europe, the shortlists is made up of the BMW i3, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda 3, Mercedes S-Class, Peugeot 308, Skoda Octavia and Tesla Model S. This is the first time the ECOTY shortlist of contenders has included two electric vehicles with the BMW i3 and Tesla Model S.

3,000bhp supercar selection set for Birmingham

THE NEW age of efficiency appears not to be dampening manufacturers’ desire to build high-performance flagship cars, with 3,000bhp worth of shiny new models set to descend on Birmingham’s Performance Car Show in January. Among the headliners are the Jaguar XKR-S GT, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, McLaren 12C Sprint and Aston Martin Vanquish. The Ferrari steals the outright performance headlines, with 0-62mph dispatched in just three seconds and 100mph disappearing in only 6.5 seconds, courtesy of a melodious 6.3-litre V12 engine under the long bonnet.

Weather creates travel misery

BRITAIN’S bleak midwinter continued today with strong winds, floods and fallen trees causing chaos to travellers trying to get away for Christmas. On the roads, many major routes were flooded or blocked by fallen trees, with Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Cornwall among the affected counties. In Dorset fire crews had to rescue 25 people trapped in their cars by flood water, while as many as 100,000 homes across the country were left without power.

CAR Most Wanted of 2014: Ferrari 458 Speciale

By the CAR road-test team First Official Pictures 23 December 2013 10:50 The first time we checked out the Ferrari 458 Speciale, it was parked tantalisingly in the bowels of the Ferrari’s Maranello factory. Tech boss Roberto Fedeli told us how Ferrari had calculated the Speciale would be an even higher performer: 10% lighter, 11% faster response, 40% quicker through the gearbox, and squeezing out an extra 34bhp from its 4.5-litre V8. Since then, we’ve driven the 202mph 458 Speciale, which Ferrari claims is different (not better than) a 458 Italia, and designed to appeal to a different kind of customer.

The ultimate Christmas present – life-size Lego car in pictures

Tell someone you want a life-size Lego car complete with a working engine made from the mini bricks at this time of year and they might laugh it off as a festive joke. But while little ones all over the world might be playing with Lego Santa brought them this Christmas, we’ve got our eyes on another, rather more impressive model. It’s called the ‘Super Awesome Micro Project’ and it’s awesome.

Holden will sell cars in Australia beyond 2017

When we heard about Holden's plans to shutter its Australian plants after 2017, we didn't know quite what to think. The General Motors subsidiary was cagey when it came to details, claiming that the brand would remain a presence in Australia -- even maintaining its design office there. Oddly, we couldn't get anyone to say, in black-and-white terms, what vehicles would be sold there under the Holden name after its plants close.

Transport costs mean four in 10 'will shun Christmas festivities'

MORE THAN four in 10 people will not see as many friends and family as they’d like to this Christmas because of the cost or availability of transport. According to research from breakdown service Green Flag, 23% of people will cut back on journeys because of the cost of fuel. A further 16% will shun social visits because of limited public transport availability, and a separate 17% will fall short on Christmas visits because of the cost of public transport.

Ian Callum on Jaguar

Ian Callum never grew up a rich boy, but his friends did. His father worked as a lawyer in Dumfries, a market town of 43,000 in the lower corner of Scotland, where the Solway Firth narrows to a point. When you travel, Callum reminisced, you forget how beautiful it is.

Hackmobile Transit Connect wins Ford and MAKE magazine grand prize

Automakers have customization contests all the time, but that doesn’t always mean they’ll produce what the enthusiasts create. Splitting from tradition, Ford said it will build the Hackmobile Transit Connect Wagon that won its Ultimate Maker Vehicle Challenge. The Hackmobile was designed by Jon Atkinson, Becca Steffen, Riley Harrison and Michael Freiert, members of Twin Cities Maker.

Citroen DS 5LS: Big luxury Citroen saloon for China

Citroen DS 5LS: Big luxury Citroen saloon for China Citroen has never really had much success, at least not in recent years, with big, luxury saloon cars. But it’s having another go with the Citroen DS 5LS, a large luxury saloon based on the Citroen DS5 hatch. But the DS 5LS isn’t a car aimed at world markets, but one Citroen has conceived and is building for the car market in China where big luxury saloons – with plenty of room in the back – are much in demand.

Gales and rain hit Christmas travel

PEOPLE WANTING to get home for Christmas face major disruption as strong gales and torrential rain threaten to cause travel chaos. Severe weather warnings are in place for much of the UK today until 9am on Christmas Eve, threatening to cause localised flooding across southern England and Wales. Strong winds are expected across much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph in coastal areas of southern England, while Scotland is braced for sleet and snow storms and icy roads, the Met Office said.

2015 Ford Mustang Mach 1 rendered

File this one under "harmless speculation we're hoping Ford execs are paying attention to": Top Speed has rendered the 2015 Mustang Mach 1, giving an idea of what to expect if/when the Blue Oval trots out a hotter version of the newest pony car. The heat extractors on the hood get beefed up, and there's no missing the gigantic, adjustable front splitter. The lip spoiler on the trunk would be subtle if not for the contrasting black paint.

British cars dominate desirability survey

BRITISH cars are the best of the best, according to a huge new car popularity survey that has thrown up some shocks. British cars took five of the top six places in the study from Best of the Best, the in-airport and online competition operator that gives away cars as prizes. And among the amazing turn-ups that emerged from the 55,000-person study focusing on desirability, no Ferrari even made the top 20.

Volkswagen e-Up makes some noise

NOW HERE’S a left-field solution to the problem of silent electric cars going unnoticed by pedestrians in town. Volkswagen has taken its new e-Up electric city car to Stockholm, fitted with hidden speakers, a microphone and a beatbox artist, Fatih Sahin, on the rear bench seat. And they filmed it.

Nissan pilots digital car manual

NISSAN has brought the humble car manual into the 21st Century with a new smartphone app that contains everything drivers need, including warning light recognition. The ‘iManual’ system is being trialled with the Micra manual, since Nissan has judged that the stylish supermini’s owners are the most likely to adopt and use the iPhone- and Android-compatible app. It squeezes the paper manual’s entire contents into an easy-to-manage format that users can access anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection.

'Vespa Segway' unveiled in Spain

A SPANISH company has revealed what must be the coolest-looking Segway ever made, built using parts designed for classic Vespa scooters. Standard Segway scooters are, let’s face it, a bit dull, especially in the styling stakes, which is why Barcelona-based Bel&Bel has built this. Officially called the Zero Scooter, it uses ordinary Segway running gear but wrapped in much, much jazzier Vespa clothes.

Lamborghini Huracán blasts into town

SUPERCAR specialist Lamborghini has finally taken the wraps off the replacement for the long-serving Gallardo. Called the Huracán, its looks might follow the same winning formula as the car it replaces, but its performance statistics blow the old car into the weeds. With a new V10 engine packing a mighty 602bhp punch, the Huracán has been tipped for a top speed ‘faster than 202mph’.

One Lap of the Web: Vintage trailer marketplace, Toyota's Amlux showroom closes and the Jeep Comanche pickup

-- Tin Can Tourists is a club for vintage travel-trailer enthusiasts. Just in time for Christmas, they've turned their Twitter account into an impromptu classifieds section, featuring everything from a 1956 Scotsman ($8,500) to a tiny 1966 RECO "canned ham" trailer (just $900). Check it out at @TinCanTourists.

Canada urged to adopt European car safety standards

CANADA has been urged to adopt European standards for new vehicle safety by the president of Mercedes-Benz Canada. Tim Reuss told reporters that if EU rules, which apply to all cars built by European industrial powerhouses like Mercedes and the Volkswagen Group, were in place Canada would already have new, more efficient, safer cars. At present Mercedes cannot import the A-Class because of the expense associated with modifying it to conform to Canadian safety requirements, and Mr Reuss argues that the current approach lacks common sense.

Vauxhall Limited Edition models add extra gloss to the Vauxhall range

Vauxhall Limited Edition models add extra gloss to the Vauxhall range There’s nothing quite like a Limited Edition with added extras at a bargain price to put a bit of a skip in the sales of cars, especially at a quiet time of year. Which explains why Vauxhall has announced new Limited Edition versions of the Astra, Astra GTC, Insignia and Astra to their range of offerings in the UK. The Vauxhall Corsa Sting starts at just £8,995 and comes with a choice of 16 or 17″ alloys in whiote or silver, sports stripes, CD/MP3 player and speed sensitive steering.