On 31 January 1983 it became compulsory to wear a front seatbelt in the UK

Just belt up: three decades of compulsory seatbelts in the UK

A look back to the week when wearing of front seatbelts became compulsory highlights our changing attitudes towards road safety

31 January 2013
Just belt up: three decades of compulsory seatbelts in the UK
Winter tyres are mandatory during cold months in a number of European countries
Advice

Why should I be charged for winter tyres on a hire car in winter?

In the UK, fair enough, but why should there be a charge for winter tyres in a country where winter tyres are compulsory at this time of year?

31 January 2013
Why should I be charged for winter tyres on a hire car in winter?
Tyrrell's outrageous X-wings were swiftly banned by the sport's rule makers
Motorsport

Formula 1 cars have been hit by the ugly stick

Those stepped noses might be a clever interpretation of the regulations, but they do nothing to enhance the looks of Formula 1 cars

29 January 2013
Formula 1 cars have been hit by the ugly stick
Does Mercedes Motorsport have room for Toto Wolff (left) and Ross Brawn?
Motorsport

Living up to your name in Formula 1

A shareholder of Williams' F1 team has accepted a job as head of Mercedes Motorsport... Sometimes the plot in top-line motor racing is difficult to fathom

25 January 2013
Living up to your name in Formula 1
Don't think you can corner harder in the snow in a four-wheel drive than you'd be able to in a two-wheel drive car

The myth about four-wheel lateral drive

If you think you have more cornering grip because you drive a 4WD, think again

22 January 2013
The myth about four-wheel lateral drive
Autocar's long-term Volkswagen CC is proving to be very frugal indeed

Sometimes it is preferable to coast through life

The Volkswagen CC on Autocar's long-term fleet is fitted with a coasting function for extra frugality. It is interesting to examine how it works

21 January 2013
Sometimes it is preferable to coast through life
Annual Wrooom event includes ice kart race for F1 and MotoGP competitors
Motorsport

Winter motorsport action in the snow... and the desert

The annual Wrooom event at a ski resort in the Italian Alps offers an out-of-season insight into the worlds of F1 and MotoGP

21 January 2013
Winter motorsport action in the snow... and the desert
Autocar's car park as it looked about one hour ago

Does snow like some car brands more than others?

Snow is collecting on the cars in Autocar's car park, but one or two vehicles are curiously devoid of the white stuff

18 January 2013
Does snow like some car brands more than others?
Need to tow two tractors? The Heavy Duty is the truck for you
Detroit motor show

Ram's Heavy Duty workhorse

The Ram 3500 Heavy Duty has been announced, with some pretty spectacular specs... but is it all a little unnecessary?

17 January 2013
Ram's Heavy Duty workhorse
Screenwash: a brilliant invention, but £4 a litre is too much

Screenwash: a great winter rip-off?

Winter is the time of year when you're likely to need to buy screenwash. Unhelpfully, retailers appear to be hiking their prices

17 January 2013
Screenwash: a great winter rip-off?
Jaguar Land Rover continues to enjoy huge sales success
Detroit motor show

Gulf widens between the haves and the have-nots

Recent job announcements from Honda and JLR don't cancel each other out, but underline the pace of change in the industry

14 January 2013
Gulf widens between the haves and the have-nots
Audi and VW's Manhattan dealership registered an impressive amount of business in 2012
Detroit motor show

Uncle Sam continues love affair with VW

The Volkswagen Group is performing well in America, but its clear there is still much to do

13 January 2013
Uncle Sam continues love affair with VW

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New car news

Dacia Duster Soul of Dakar front quarter
Duster Soul of Dakar borrows its distinctive livery from the Dacia Sandrider
New cars

Dacia Duster Soul of Dakar hints at new range of special editions

6 December 2024
Dacia Duster Soul of Dakar hints at new range of special editions

Motorsport news

Dacia Duster Soul of Dakar front quarter
Duster Soul of Dakar borrows its distinctive livery from the Dacia Sandrider
New cars

Dacia Duster Soul of Dakar hints at new range of special editions

6 December 2024
Dacia Duster Soul of Dakar hints at new range of special editions