Mobile phones set to be biggest roads killer

MOBILE PHONES are likely to be the number one cause of fatal collisions on the UK’s roads by 2015. The number of drivers making calls, texting and using social media while driving has risen dramatically, which has led Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin to propose doubling the number of penalty points added to a driver’s licence if caught using a mobile phone while at the wheel. Figures from the Department for Transport show there were 378 accidents in 2012 that were directly attributed to mobile phone use, with 17 deaths recorded as a result.

VW Polo R WRC Street Limited Edition – but not for the UK

Volkswagen has revealed a production version of its Polo WRC car – the VW Polo R WRC Street – as a limited run, but not for the UK. Volkswagen has revealed a limited run VW Polo R WRC Street to coincide with their foray in to WRC with the Polo, and it goes on sale this month – but not for the UK. The LHD only Polo R WRC Street gets the 4WD platform Audi has developed for the A1 together with a 2.0 litre TSI producing 220bhp, delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed manual ‘box, enough to scoot the Polo R WRC to 62mph in 6.4 seconds – quicker than the Golf GTi.

Driven: BMW X3

The BMW X3 had the premium CUV market to itself when launched in 2004. Skip forward to the launch of the second generation and not only does the new version have a whole host of competitors for company, it also has to fit around its X1, X5 and X6 siblings. We took the 2011 BMW X3 (known internally as F25) to the Austrian Tyrol and spoke to its exterior designer, Erik Goplen, to find out if it still has the segment covered.