CAR TALK
RENAULT TWIZY
Renault’s electric Twizy compact two-seater goes on sale in March next year. Designed for urban use, the Twizy will cost from £6,690 plus a monthly battery hire cost of £40. Capable of up to 50mph, it has a range of up to 60 miles around town and takes 3.5 hours to charge.
VOLKSWAGEN LAUNCHES CALIFORNIA BEACH
Volkswagen has waited until summer’s end to announce its new California Beach model. The new entry-level MPV camper can seat seven people and has front seats which swivel for late night poker. The middle row of seats recline to create a big bed. Then pop the roof and there’s another double bed up there too.
SUZUKI SWIFT
The newest addition to Suzuki’s Swift range – the 1.3-litre DDiS – is also the most economical. In the recent 2011 MPG Marathon – which takes place over a 372-mile route of major roads, motorways and dual carriageways – the 66bhp diesel Swift managed an overall fuel consumption figure of 86.4mpg.