This month I’ve been…

…at the Geneva motor show

The focus was on electric vehicles, with many manufacturers showing off their latest, and future models, and some interesting ones there too. But also great to see some ‘heavy’ cars there too, some real muscle vehicles, with large powerful engines, just to prove they are still being produced. All the cars at Geneva were relevant, and most have a place in the market, just some are more green than others, and some are more desirable than others – take your pick.

…driving the VW T-Cross 

The T-Cross is Volkswagens first compact SUV, which sits nicely between its bigger brother the T-Roc and the smaller Polo. It will only be available initially with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine producing either 95PS, and coupled to a five-speed manual, or a 115PS with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG auto. This Spanish built little car, is versatile and practical, and has the added advantage of a sliding rear seat, to give more boot space, or more rear legroom. We drove both engines extensively over two days, and afterwards I was torn between the 95PS and 115PS, with only around £700 difference in price, it would be a difficult decision. The smaller output was far better than we thought it would be, but the six-speed manual was a delight. A great small car, with fantastic and very clever lines. VW is onto a winner with this, the right car, at exactly the right time.

…puzzled by other drivers’ attire

Our winter has not been bad at all, nowhere as cold as last year, when we had the ‘Beast from the East’. But it always amazes me just to see what drivers of other cars are wearing while sat behind the wheel. You regularly see them with big coats, hats, scarves and gloves trying to drive. Most of them will have the heating set at 23 degrees, and they must be roasting. If they were sat on a beach in Spain, and the temperature was 23 degree, I doubt they would be all trussed up in winter clothes, but sat in shorts and T-shirts, so why oh why do they insist on heavy clothes while sat in a car?