CAR TALK
SNOW SOCKS FOR YOUR CAR
Ok so the big freeze is here. And the British don’t generally take much of a Scandinavian approach to fitting snow chains to their cars, mainly because we just can’t be arsed. Luckily Vauxhall is selling Snow Socks for cars – a kind of motoring equivalent of non-slip socks – that give your car extra traction in snow and ice. Slip them over the driving wheels of your car and the covers add friction of up to 50mph. Although I would drive much slower than that. They cost £49.95 from your local Vauxhall dealer and fit any car, not just Vauxhalls.
AUDI’S MORE AFFORDABLE RACE CAR
If you fancy getting into racing without upsetting your bank manager, Audi has just shown a GT4 car based on the Audi TT at the DTM race in Shanghai. The 340bhp race-prepared TT has a roll-cage, a safety-optimized fuel tank and bonnet, doors and boot lid made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) plus plastic windows to reduce weight. Modified production suspension with adjustable dampers plus lighter 18-inch alloy wheels further enhance the car’s performance and the TT GT4 should cost around £100k.
THAT ROOM COMES WITH A MINI COOPER
If you’re planning some Christmas shopping in Manhattan this year, the luxurious Peninsula New York has a couple of specially customized – and complimentary – MINI Cooper S Clubman cars for suite guests to tootle around in, for up to three hours per day. The chauffeured vehicles can be used for shopping or sightseeing around Manhattan and each car is fitted with a rooftop box – because clearly you’ll never get all of your shopping in the Mini’s tiny boot – and a mini-fridge. The ultimate Christmas auto-treat, no?