This might not sound particularly thrilling by modern hot hatchback standards but Fiat will be offering an aftermarket performance pack that ups the engine's output to 180bhp.

A sport button will also turn up the heat in the standard car, increasing the engine's torque from 206Nm at 2,000rpm to 230Nm at 3,000rpm. With the more ordinary Grande Puntos amongst the best looking small cars out there, the Arbarth version is sure to look as stunning in the metal as it does in the official pictures.

VOLKSWAGEN are to add a practical load lugger to their Golf range with the introduction of the Golf Estate.

Similar to the 3 and 5-door cars at the front, this model incorporates extra loadspace with a total capacity of 1,550 litres. Further additions include load fixing points, a 12-volt socket and an extra storage compartment beneath the boot floor. A healthy line-up of engines will be available including the groundbreaking 1.4TSI unit and the 2.0-litre TDI 140 diesel.

MOTORISTS with fond memories of the old Renault Scenic RX4 four-wheel-drive people carrier will delight at the news that it's back.

A 4x4 version of the latest Scenic is due to arrive in the summer badged as the Scenic Conquest.

Renault are playing up the improved on-road traction and raised ride height that this model will offer rather than suggesting that farmers should trade in their Land Rovers and a proper compact 4x4 based on the Koleos concept car will come later. The Scenic Conquest sports skid plates front and rear, flared wheelarches and a revised lower bumper design.

Vauxhall's Monaro flagship is set to return badged as the VXR8. Offering a formidable hunk of performance for the price, this 420PS V8-engined muscle car will rocket from the line to 60mph in 4.9s and cost under £35,000.

IF you've attempted to negotiate a complex one-way system with a dithering incompetent as navigator, you might argue that the art of reading a map has been lost for some time and a recent survey indicates that we're unlikely to get it back. The reason is the growing dependence of satellite navigation technology.

Wrong
The study by Dutch firm TNO found that drivers using a map drive an average of 18 per cent further on their way to an unfamiliar destination than those using a sat-nav computer.

The map reader is more likely to take a less direct route and become distracted, resulting in them taking a wrong turn.

Satellite navigation manufacturer, Tom Tom claim that their customers make 12 per cent fewer insurance claims as well, because they're able to concentrate on driving safely rather than worrying about where they're going.

The growth in its use has certainly been dramatic but sat-nav is still not for everyone.

According to Vansunited.co.uk, one in four drivers is considering ditching their sat-nav system because they find the voice commands too irritating.

A DIVORCE can be a tricky time for both parties and so it proved to be for Jason Somerville and his soon to be ex-wife from Broken Hill, Australia.

Jason's wife was insisting that she should receive half of everything when it came to dividing up their possessions. Jason, being a fair-minded person, agreed and cut their car in half with a blowtorch.

n IN 1983 the wearing of seat belts became compulsory in this country.

The RAC Foundation has warned that 80 per cent of deaths of front seat occupants could be avoided if those in the back used their belts.

Seat belt wearing has generally increased over the last 20 years, with most drivers and passengers accepting that belting-up makes sense and saves lives.

Dossier
There is, however, an alarming difference between the percentage of drivers that use their belts regularly – in excess of 90 per cent compared to rear seat passengers – only 56%.

The foundation compiled a dossier of the excuses given by drivers and passengers for not wearing seat belts. Their feeble excuses make alarming reading. Amongst the worst were these: -
* I'm only going around the corner.
* I'm a good driver and don't need one.
* They are uncomfortable because I am pregnant/overweight/underweight/too tall/too short.
* They crease your clothes.
* Cars are so safe these days that they are unnecessary.
* You don't need them in the back, do you?
* My car is old and it is not a legal requirement.
* It's un-cool.
* I'm working in and out of the car ...it's too much hassle.
* I'm afraid that I will get trapped in the car if it caught fire in a crash.
* My safety is my concern, no one else's. I should have the right to choose.
It is a salutary thought that in the event of a crash at 30 miles per hour, the average size adult can assume the force of a small elephant.

A CAR dealer in Stuttgart Germany was rather taken aback recently when a customer brought her dog along for a test drive. She wanted to see whether or not her pet would become travel sick.

FRENCH police are taking a very positive and caring attitude towards the problem of driver fatigue.

At roadside service centres they have been seen handing out free coffee and advice on how drivers can stretch aching muscles.