We sample Honda's car technology of the future

Ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show 2013 we’ve been to Honda’s research and development facility in Tochigi to see and experience some of the Japanese firm’s new and upcoming products and technology. We’ve covered the new Honda Civic Type R in some detail separately, but among the other cars driven here is the next generation Honda Jazz (known as the Fit in Japan), no less than three different types of Honda hybrid system, including one similar to that fitted in the forthcoming NSX supercar, and an all-carbonfibre CR-Z prototype. On top of which, we’ve also experienced a self-driving car, watched a crazy automatic-parking demonstration and sampled the latest version of the all-electric Micro-Commuter, Honda’s equivalent of the Renault Twizy.

BMW M4 coupe (2014) first official pictures

By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 11 December 2013 12:00 June 21 2014 is the day the new BMW M4 goes on sale, yet BMW has released full details for the production version of its new hero ahead of its Detroit show debut in January. In case you missed it, the M4 is the new name for the two-door M3, and the flagship M version is more powerful, faster and tougher than ever. The outgoing M3 Coupe has proved the benchmark for the Mercedes C63 AMG and the Audi RS5 so the M4 will has its work cut out for it, having to live up to not only its rivals, but its predecessor.

Road drainage problems increasing

ROAD DRAINAGE during the mid-summer heatwave was no better than in the early-year floods, according to 40% of drivers. A further 9% said drainage in June was even worse than during the winter downpours, the AA/Populus survey of more than 18,000 AA members showed. Most dissatisfaction with the state of the roads in mid-summer was shown by drivers in Yorkshire and Humberside, with 46% of them reckoning drainage was no better than during the winter.