Category Archives: Motoring

Family hatchback, Motoring, Peugeot, Saloon

Peugeot 408

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The striking profile of the Peugeot 408 attracted plenty of attention

Striking looks and road presence

By Bill McCarthy

Finding a stylish and technologically advanced car that turns heads is a challenge. Many cars lack the features and designs that make a true statement on the road. 

Peugeot’s dramatically styled 408 had the very unusual event of someone following me into a car park after seeing it drive past.

Convinced by the dark livery and fusion of SUV and fastback that it was the Lamborghini Urus.

You could see his point . . . to a point!

It is a dramatic makeover, sleeker and more aerodynamic.

Plus, the longer and lower dimensions of the car give it a dynamic and aerodynamic shape that exudes confidence on the road. 

Its blend of SUV and fastback elements, combined with its sleek and aerodynamic makeover, certainly contribute to its eye-catching presence on the road.

It offers a balance of stylish design, advanced technology, and decent performance. Its combination of SUV and fastback elements, along with the upgraded interior and safety features, definitely turns heads and makes a statement on the road.

Exterior

  • Dramatic and aerodynamic design with a fusion of SUV and fastback styling.
  • Long and low dimensions for a dynamic appearance.
  • Deep front grille and daytime running lights integrated into the front light clusters.
  • Impressive rear design with cat’s claw style LED rear lamps.
  • Lower bumper gloss black trim and twin chrome exhaust surrounds.
  • Tinted rear glass and smart new alloys enhancing its appearance.

Interior

  • Next-generation i-Cockpit interior with a compact multi-function steering wheel.
  • High-quality fixtures and fittings with logically placed controls and switchgear.
  • Standard features like a 180-degree Colour Reversing Camera, rear parking sensors, Advanced Emergency Braking, and Extended Traffic Sign Recognition.
  • Latest 10-inch touchscreen with the i-Connect infotainment system, activated by voice commands.
  • Navigation with TomTom Live updates, speed camera alerts, and i-Toggle feature for personalized shortcuts.

Performance and Handling:

  • 130bhp three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
  • 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds, max speed of 130mph.
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission with seamless shifts.
  • Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes for different driving preferences.
  • Good handling and comfortable ride with effective suspension.

Practicality:

  • Competitive boot space of 536 litres, expanding to 1,611 litres with rear seats folded.
  • Safety features include stability control, airbags, active safety brake with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane assist, programmable cruise control, and driver attention alert.

Factfile

  • Peugeot 408 Allure Premium 1.2L PureTechPrice: £32,200
  • Engine: 130PS, 1199cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
  • Max Speed: 130mph
  • 0-62mph: 10.4 seconds
  • Combined MPG: 41-48
  • Insurance Group: 19E
  • CO2 emissions: 129g/km
  • BIK rating: 30%
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles

Motoring

Fears grow over motoring fatalities

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Picture: Unsplash

There are rising concerns over trends in motor-vehicle-related fatalities in various regions of the UK. The South East region has consistently had the highest number of road fatalities since 2013, maintaining a considerable lead over other regions. The data also indicates that road deaths in the South East were 22% higher than in the next most deadly region, Eastern England.

Eastern England is the only other region that recorded over 200 fatalities last year, with a 25% increase from the previous year. The East Midlands comes in third for the most common regions for fatalities, with an increase in recorded deaths compared to the previous year. Scotland also experienced a significant increase in road deaths, with a 21.7% rise from the previous year.

Increase across regions

Interestingly, out of the 11 regions analyzed, 9 experienced an increase in road fatalities from the previous year. London saw the largest increase in road fatalities among all the regions, with a 40% rise from the previous year. Eastern England had the next highest increase in fatalities, with 205 in 2022 compared to 165 in 2021.

There were two areas that recorded a decrease in fatalities: the Northwest with a decrease of 9.1% and the Southwest with a decrease of 4.8%. The region with the lowest recorded deaths was the Northeast, indicating it’s the safest area for drivers. On the other hand, Wales had the next lowest recordings of deaths but saw an 8.1% increase from the previous year.

Need for increased safety

Gary Digva, the founder of Road Angel, emphasized the need for increased road safety measures. He pointed out that it’s crucial for motorists to remain alert, follow road rules, and drive with care to reduce the chances of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. He suggested that the government and councils should consider strategies such as lowering speeds on roads, increasing speed cameras in high-risk areas, and educating users about safe driving.

Overall, the data highlights the importance of addressing road safety concerns and implementing effective measures to reduce road fatalities in the UK.