RARE RAGE: Irish motorists are among the least likely to encounter road rage according to a survey in British motoring magazine Max Power. It
claims that, while only three per cent of Irish motorists encountered road rage, 87 per cent of British motorists claim they have been victims of road rage at least once, while 20 per cent said they had experienced it more than 10 times. It also found that 71 per cent admitted to being guilty of road rage.
THE 206 BEAST: Peugeot has taken delivery of its very first new 206 GTi 180 here, the most powerful road-going version of Europe's 2002 best-selling vehicle. Priced at €29,750, its two-litre engine delivers 180 bhp at 7,000 rpm, a top speed of 143 mph, and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 7.1 seconds.
MEGANE IS TOPS: The new Renault Megane was Europe's bestseller for the first half of 2003. The Volkswagen Golf held the honours every year for the past 20 years, apart from 1997 when the Fiat Punto claimed the first place. The Peugeot 206 was second, with the Golf slipping to third. It's the first time Renault has topped the list since 1982, then with the Renault 5.
THE NUB OF IT: The hatchback version of Daewoo's new Nubira, the Lacetti, will make its European debut at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show. Due to go on sale here next spring, it will come with a choice of 1.4, 1.6 or 1.8 litre engines. It will be followed later in 2004 by an estate model.
NEW 5s: BMW is to add two new versions of its upcoming 5-Series range to its right-hand drive fleet. Available from October, the range will include the 545i SE and 525i SE. The 545i SE features the 4,393 cc V8 engine, also used for the new BMW 645Ci Coupé.
Maximum power is boosted to 333 bhp, 47 bhp more than the outgoing 540i, and features a 0-62mph of just 5.8 seconds. The new BMW 525i SE is powered by BMW's 2,494 cc engine, developing 192 bhp and a 0-62 mph of 7.9 seconds.
CAR CABARET: Part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival includes cabaret artist Alfie Joey's Mini-Cabaret using his car as the venue for his audience members to enjoy his true-life stories - plus a raffle and a cup of tea.