News in brief

13th August 2007

Here’s a juicy addition to Citroen’s range – the C3 Pluriel Kiwi! The limited-edition drop-top gets special yellow/green metallic paint and unique alloys. Inside, there is black leather on the seats, steering wheel and door handles, while air-con is fitted as standard.

The firm has also upgraded the specification on the Pluriel Cote d’Azur. It now gets body-coloured bumpers and side strips, ivory seat trim and a translucent ruby gearknob. The Kiwi model costs £12,495, while the Cote d’Azur is £10,995. Both come with a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine.

GET READY for an Ariel Atom with truly electric performance. The two-seater sports car is soon to be fitted with a battery-powered motor.
Using the latest lithium-polymer cells, the Somerset firm hopes to offer an emission-free version that matches the pace of the 300bhp 2.0-litre supercharged model. It should sprint from 0-60mph in around three seconds and have a range of 150 miles.

A one-off battery-powered Atom already exists in the US. Called the Wrightspeed X1, it was built by an enthusiast, but uses a heavier and less powerful lithium-ion set-up.

MICHELIN HAS named the UK’s five best driving routes. The scenic journeys are to be found in the South West, East Anglia, Wales, Northern England and Scotland.

On the way you’ll be treated to spectacles such as Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and Cumbria, the New Forest, Hants, and Blenheim Palace near Oxford.

All the tours are published in the firm’s new Road Atlas Britain 2008, so you can follow them yourself. Out now, the standard version will set you back £8.99, with a spiral-bound map £10.99.