The future of motor racing?... Or are we already there?

Since man invented the motor car, his primal instinct for excitement and speed has always compelled him to race it against the next man's motor car.

Never before though has there been such pressure for our favourite method of transportation to become less polluting and less energy consuming. The effects can already be seen in many race series where economical diesel race cars have been competing and indeed winning for years now, and where many motorsports are aiming to cut costs and cut their carbon emissions as they travel around the globe. Even in the high octane world of motor racing, every little helps.

But what if we look further into the future? One man, Moritz Martin, has done just that with his concept for the futuristic 1 Liter Racing League. The concept is Mr Martin's degree project and is apparently inspired by "the insanity of Swamp Buggy, Land Speed Record races and the Eco Marathon". The idea is to use tactics and skill to finish the race on just a single litre of fuel. The driver's cause is aided by being able to skim the car across thin layers of water and other varied surfaces to use as little energy in movement as possible. The car can be aided in sliding by rear-wheel mounted air nozzles for "frictionless steering".

(Images: Moritz Martin)

It's a facinating concept, and one that looks a lot of fun. However... what if you want to take part in some eco-friendly racing here, and now? Your options are clearly a little limited - after all, motor racing is hardly the most eco-friendly sport in the world. That isn't to say though that it isn't possible - if you look hard enough.

Kei Car Racing

(Image: Speedhunters.com)

If you live in Japan, you've probably come across this already. Kei-Jidosha are Japan's answer to overcrowding on the roads, and thanks to their minimal proportions and even more miniscule engines (660cc and 63bhp is the current maximum limit), they're the perfect choice for low-consumption racing. There are series for Keis both old and newer, and of course you could always take one to an autocross event like this Daihatsu Copen on YouTube, where small proportions and low inertia do wonders for cornering ability.

Eco Marathons

(Image: Thinkorthwim.com)

Events like the Shell Eco Marathon are growing in popularity all the time and the records for miserly fuel consumption tumble quicker than the times at a 100m race with Usain Bolt. The current World Record is a mind-boggling average of 10,705mpg, achieved by team Microjoule in 2003. Of course - these aren't really "cars" so much as tiny engines in composite cigars with a driver filling the rest of the available space - but it's still a race of sorts and like the 1 Liter Racing League aims to use as little fuel as possible over a set distance. And you can certainly do the race on a small budget too, even if the top teams spend a little more to achieve the figures they do. You could turn up with a lawnmower-powered soapbox racer if you wanted.

Citroën 2CV racing

(Image: Maria Cooke @ 2cvracing.co.uk)

Perhaps a bit of a wild card, but even so, people do race the tree-hugger's wheels of choice and there are thriving race series for the little cars all over Europe - the UK Classic 2CV Racing Club has been around for over 20 years! The cars are cheap to buy, prepare and run, and with the weight of a feather in a helium updraught even the modest power from a tiny 600cc engine is able to provide plenty of fun without using a lot of fuel in the process. It's probably one of the cheapest and most economical circuit racing series in the World.

Okay - so none of the above are quite as high-tech as Mr Martin's concept, but they prove that even today you can take part in motor racing that doesn't break the bank, and doesn't pray too heavily on your environmental conscience...

My thanks to Mr Martin himself for his permission to use the 1 liter pictures. Tarmac wishes him the best of luck in his degree!

Guerilla marketing for Alfa MiTo; New Multiair MiTo

Take a walk through Jesmond in Newcastle-upon-Tyne at the moment and your eyes might be drawn towards the pavement. Normally, it's nothing particularly special, but recently some rather unorthodox adverts for Alfa's MINI rival, the MiTo, have appeared on some of the paving slabs.

With Alfa's baby being aimed at the younger and more fashion-conscious types, these adverts in the affluent and student-heavy area of Jesmond are a great example of guerilla marketing. The images are created using a technique that involves cleaning an sandblasting the ground through a template. There are apparently 1300 similar adverts across the UK.
The pavement adverts also coincide with a first look, via What Car?, at the new MiTo Multiair, an ultra-clean and efficient MiTo using advanced 1.4 petrol engines. Instead of a conventional camshaft, the MultiAir engine uses a series of oil-fed solenoids which can precisely meter out fuel in any given situation. As well as improving economy by 10% and reducing NOx emissions by 60%, the system apparently improves throttle response and increases power and torque, especially at lower revs.

(Picture credits: Alfa Romeo and Tarmac)

80mpg from diesel-powered first-gen Insight

Yes, you read that correctly. AutoBlogGreen has released news that a company called Red Light Racing has installed Volkswagen's 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder Pumpe Düse TDI in a first-generation Honda Insight and the net result is 80mpg in US gallons - a staggering 96mpg imperial.

The engine has been taken from Volkswagen's Lupo 3L, a model that was only available in mainland Europe and itself made 94mpg imperial, equivalent to 3 litres/100km. The Lupo however was solely diesel-powered - and Red Light Racing state that they haven't even hooked up the Insight's hybrid motor to the diesel unit yet and once they do there could be another 15-20% improvement.

The Lupo 3L was highly modified from the standard Lupo TDI - like the Insight, it used aluminium in much of its construction, and also in common with the Insight it used low rolling-resistance tyres and a stop-start function to save fuel when stopped in traffic. The engine produces 61bhp and makes 140Nm of torque, which is 9bhp less than the Insight's 1.0 litre petrol IMA unit but a useful 27Nm more torque. Coincidentally, both Lupo 3L and Insight weigh in the region of 850kg, so the engine seems ideal for use in the Insight, though according to Red Light Racing the installation naturally wasn't too straightforward.

Diesel clatter aside, the new engine should provide very pleasant driving characteristics too. The final quote goes to Red Light Racing, clearly a company after Tarmac's heart: "The main idea was to take existing hardware, hack it, and make a vehicle that could be produced by major manufacturers or individuals that would deliver tremendous fuel economy without a tremendous leap in technology. I believe we succeeded."

(Image credits: AutoBlogGreen and Wikipedia)

More T25 news - Gordon Murray's microcar driven

The new issue of Autocar magazine, and for that matter their website, brings us more information of Gordon Murray's fascinating T25 project, a city car designed to have a construction to destruction carbon footprint 40% smaller than that of the average city car.

The biggest bit of news is that the car will seat three and not two as previously suspected, in a McLaren F1-style centrally-seated driver, flanked by two passengers - despite the car being significantly smaller than even a Smart ForTwo.

More interesting is that Autocar have managed to drive a body-less prototype powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine with a Smart-style semi-auto gearbox. The full test can only be read in Autocar's magazine, but Autocar columnist and feature writer Steve Cropley seemed mighty impressed by the mule's capabilities - including flat cornering, great steering, a good ride and fantastic feel to the controls. Not only this, but the car can apparently turn in only six metres.

Of course, the mule isn't exactly much to behold, but that it can impress in such a basic state is very important - the driving characteristics of the Smart and rival Toyota iQ haven't exactly come in for much praise, and nor have their prices. To this end, Murray is still touting £6,000 as an entry-level figure.

In other T25-related news, another teaser-shot of the car has been released, showing what the front of the car is shaping up to look like. It's probably not going to be much of a looker, but there's still a lot to come from the T25 project so we're holding our breath.

(Picture credits: Autocar and Gordon Murray)

Smart Roadster to return?

This is the news Tarmac has been waiting for - Autocar has released details that Mercedes-Benz has applied for several patents for a new three-seater Smart, touted to be known as the ForThree, in keeping with the names of other Smart models.

As you can see from the images, the new car will have a seating layout similar to that of the McLaren F1 supercar, with the driver sitting centrally and passengers behind and to either side of the cockpit.

According to the drawings and Autocar, the central seat is designed to swivel and slide towards the door to ease access. The car could potentially use both petrol and diesel units that Smart currently produce, and it may even be available with an EV option by the proposed 2014 release date. Mercedes are also developing a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission for use in the next A-Class, and this may even find it's way into future Smarts such as the ForThree.

The first generation roadster was nowhere near as popular as it was expected to be, selling just over 43,000 units in its two year production run. If Mercedes and Smart can find the right price for the ForThree, they may well overcome the main hurdle the first model faced - it's expense compared to more powerful and practical rivals.

Tarmac will be keeping a keen eye on the progress of this story and will bring you further developments as they happen.

Letter to Auto Express

I don't often feel compelled to write in to motoring magazines. Actually, I tell a lie. I often feel compelled, but rarely follow through with the desire.

However, Auto Express columnist Mike Rutherford (who also writes for The Times and The Telegraph) has finally irritated me enough to put digit to keyboard in his column for the 17-23 June issue of Auto Express. I shan't replicate his column in full - Mr Rutherdford aside the magazine is still one of the better motoring titles out there and this issue has an interesting comparison test between old and new Mazda MX-5s. But I digress.

Mr Rutherford writes: "If we're to believe those in authority and their ecomental pals, global warming is the greatest threat to mankind. The allegation is that the phenomenon will kill untold millions of people and places. What's more, some mentalist 'experts' deviously give the impression that CO2 emissions from 'murderous' motor cars are largely or entirely to blame for scorching the earth and allowing the planet and its inhabitants to crash and burn.

"I hear what they're saying, and I acknowledge their right to express their own opinions and predictions. But can we have less of the crystal ball gazing and scaremongering, and more of the hard facts, please? Where is the unbiased, incontrovertible, compelling evidence which proves beyond doubt that global warming will, on its own, destroy earth and mankind?"

He goes on to say: "When was the last time you actually heard any of the leading political parties even mention the T word [transport], let alone say what, if elected, they intend to do with the roads, rails, waterways and sky routes?"

The rest of his column devolved into a rather dull bash at politicians who've done far worse things than to not mention transport policy in their manifestos. Anyway, after adding weeks, months and years worth of straw with Mr Rutherford's smug columns, the camel's back finally succummed:

"Perhaps if Mike Rutherford is to get the unbiased evidence of man-made global warming he desires, he should first avoid biasing his column too far in the other direction. Labelling those who consider motor vehicles to be a large component of global warming "mentalists" is ignorant and arrogant. Regardless of whether Mr Rutherford likes their findings or not, these are still the findings of scientists which still hold more weight than the smug rantings of a mouthy motoring journalist. Indeed, Mr Rutherford is not even being forced to believe these findings and there are many, many other theories out there which he conveniently ignores in order to propogate an opinion that has already been done to death in the motoring media.

"Oh, and last time I checked, Mayor of London Boris Johnson was a Conservative MP, and he mentions "the T word" [transport] quite frequently, and I seem to remember his transport policy was instrumental in his election as Mayor. Perhaps Mr Rutherford is looking in the wrong places for his own research.

"Global warming probably didn't kill the dinosaurs, but perhaps Mr Rutherford is worried that environmental issues will wipe out the dinosaur journalists?"

It remains to be seen whether my letter will merit inclusion in the comments section of the magazine, but if it does I'll update the blog with the response, if any. Who knows, I may even receive an email from Mr Rutherford himself.

Abandoned fuel stations to go electric?

A plan to keep the increasing number of electric cars available buzzing along the streets has been revealed by US firm Evoasis.


The San Diego based company has announced that they have plans to turn disused fuel stations, both in the UK and elsewhere, into electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The plan is known as R2G (Red 2 Green), the name coming from London's red buses and tube routes, with green being fairly self-explanatory. The best news is that rather than standing outside in the cold watching your bank balance decrease, EV owners will be able to go inside, watch films and download music and TV in a lounge area. Charges are expected to take around 20 minutes, as this is the typical time for a "fast charge" in many EVs.

The other benefit to the system is that while your EV is plugged in, Evoasis want to offer diagnostics and battery tests, as well as the ability to download content for your in-car entertainment.


The first stations are due to be rolled out this Autumn, likely starting with major locations in London such as Euston or Waterloo station, with others following. This should follow hot on the heels of cars such as the new Mitsubishi iMiev which is due in the Summer, and benefit drivers of cars like the THiNK and NICE which are already becoming popular.

Images ©Evoasis via AutoExpress

The numbers have it: UK car CO2 emissions are falling fast

If ever there was a sign that times are tough and people are trading down to more efficient cars, it's the sharp reduction in the average CO₂ emissions of cars sold in the UK from 2007 to 2008.

Average emissions have dropped by over 5g/km in the past year, continuing a trend that's seen CO₂ plummet by over 30g/km in the last ten years. 2008's figures show a significant fall however, suggesting that the current economic climate, the spike in the price of fuel last year and purse-strings generally being tightened across the country are resulting in people buying much more economical cars than they may have in more favourable times. The figures have been outlined by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) More of the results are illustrated below.

(Images: SMMT)

The trend can also be attributed to the huge efforts that manufacturers have made in recent years too. BMW recently launched their 116d, the most fuel efficient BMW currently available, capable of over 50mpg and with CO₂ emissions as low as 118g/km. Many companies now offer stop-start technology which significantly reduces fuel consumption in city traffic, and companies like Mazda with their 2 and Volkswagen with their upcoming new Polo have worked hard to reduce weight, allowing smaller and more efficient engines to be used without compromising on performance. Volkswagen recently unveiled the new Polo Bluemotion concept at the Geneva Motor Show, which sips a gallon of fuel as infrequently as every 85 miles. It also manages to look very handsome indeed.

With cars such as these, expect the current trend to continue.

(Image: AutoBlogGreen)

Murray's Models - new T.25 in miniature

Gordon Murray's hotly anticipated revolutionary city car, codenamed the T.25, has been revealed in more detail in a series of models. The dioramas, revealed on Murray's website, illustrate some of the important features of Murray's new Mini and the reduction in environmental impact compared to other small cars.


If the amorphous green toy is anything to go by, the T.25 will be smaller even than the current king tiddler, the smart ForTwo, yet the car will apparently be safe enough to achieve a four-star Euro NCAP crash rating. Given that the four-seat Toyota iQ has just achieved the full five stars, and the smart has received four, this doesn't seem an unachievable feat. Some of the other figures are impressive too. The T.25 will apparently need only 20% of the factory space that a normal car requires, and twelve times as many body in whites can be transported in a shipping container as compared to the same for an average car. Lifetime CO2 from production to destruction is projected to be 40% lower, and the car will produce a tonne less of CO2 emissions per year.



The pictures also illustrate how there will be several variations on the same platform, and how three cars can fit into the average parking space.

The whole project is fascinating, and I join the rest of the automotive world in anticipation of viewing the finished product. Unfortunately at this stage, there is no word as to when this might be.

All images © Gordon Murray

72mpg from a Toyota iQ

Living up to manufacturer's fuel efficiency claims is something that cars generally struggle to do. There are exceptions to every rule however, and the Toyota iQ has become one of those exceptions with a small team managing to go 504.2 miles on 32 litres of petrol. This equates to 72mpg, when Toyota officially quote 65.7mpg. They managed to visit 19 British cities along the way. The half-way blog post is here and the start of the challenge is here. If the petrol iQ is capable of this much, one must wonder how much a diesel model could achieve...

The hypermiling iQ (Photo credit: ThisisiQ)

This shows what can be achieved not only by Toyota's impressive little city car, but also by careful driving technique. Doubtless many cars are capable of matching their claimed economy figures, but potentially hampered by the person behind the wheel.

Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year

Just a brief message to wish all of Tarmac's readers a great Christmas and as I'm unlikely to post again before January, a happy and productive new year.

Next year, I hope to offer you more regular posting, more discussion on cheap motoring and ecological and environmental motoring issues, many more motoring show reports, and even (if all goes well) the occasional relevant road tests.

I leave you in 2008 with one of my favourite static photographs of the year, and the closest I could get to an automotive Christmas tree...

Photograph ©Tarmac 2008

Bike hire hits London in 2010

Following the lead taken by cities like Paris and Barcelona, Transport for London has revealed plans for introducing a cycle hire scheme. The move is being used as a way of promoting healthy and environmentally friendly transport, and alleviating congestion both on roads and on the tube.

TfL plan to introduce 400 cycle stations with 10,500 docking points, and 6,000 bicycles up for hire. The high number of docking points should allow users to drop their bike off pretty much anywhere they like, and the scheme is aimed not just at residents and commuters, but also for the millions of tourists who visit the capital every year. A small poll on the TfL site reveals that commuting will still be the most popular single use for the bikes, but currently almost half the respondents will use the bikes for multiple activities.

I wouldn't normally cover non-car related stories on Tarmac, but as I'm soon to be a bicycle user myself, the news is particularly significant. Although I'm not a resident of London, the potential success of the scheme could open the floodgates for other cities around the country to launch similar initiatives, which would be great news. This is the sort of positive action councils should be taking in order to encourage people onto other methods of transport, rather than simply trying to discourage them from driving, as methods like congestion charging do.

The action in London is also a positive step to reducing congestion and emissions under their new mayor. After the huge legal battle previous Mayor Ken Livingstone has recently lost against Porsche, the sports car maker has donated the £375,000 payout to charity. Porsche argued that the proposed £25 a day charge was disproportionate and unfair, and were even able to prove that it would result in increased emissions in the capital. Maybe the cycle scheme should use Porsche bikes?...

British International Motor Show 2008

Webmaster's comment: Apologies if you're reading this in Feedburner and the images are breaking up the text. The article makes much more sense if you read it using my original post.

So, now that the show is all done and dusted for another year, I finally get around to writing that Motor Show report I promised. Overall it was a fairly good show, with enough significant new car launches to cause excitement, such as the new Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Insignia, as well as plenty of other interesting stands and a variety of things to do when you got bored of walking around the halls.

I'll begin with the Insignia, as that's where I began my walk around the halls. Vauxhall had a large number of cars and it was just as well because they were attracting a lot of attention. It's not hard to see why, because as medium sized family cars go, it's a very attractive one, better looking in my opinion than the new Mondeo, which looks messy in comparison. There isn't a great deal of difference in the look between the hatch and the saloon versions, but then this brings the preference down to what you want from the car, rather than which looks better. The interior seems very well built and also classy in a way we never saw from the Vectra, and at first glace reminded me of the Honda Accord, but with a more colourful use of plastics. Engines of note included the twin-turbo V6 all-wheel drive option, which is apparently faster around the Nürburgring than the Astra VXR.

Vauxhall also had a rather pretty concept vehicle on their stand, the Opel FLEXtreme, which looked about Astra-sized, had suicide back doors (as is popular these days) and a compartment in the rear bumper that stored two Segways. Perhaps design cues will be on a future Astra. As part of GM, Vauxhall was surrounded by other GM brands. Hummer was displaying a concept vehicle that could easily be a model below the H3 to compete with hardcore Land Rover Defenders, and Caddilac was showing the sharp-looking CTS concept, which looks like a coupe version of the BLS. Saab also had a concept, the 9-X BioHybrid, which doesn't appear too different from the 9-X concept of 2001 but has a new green engine and some fantastic looking turbine-blade wheels. Saab also had their new soft-roader, the 9-4X, in concept form. The Chevrolet stand was fairly uninteresting except for the Camaro concept, though now that Chevy are producing the car you wonder why they didn't bring a production model over for show.

Next to Saab was the non-GM Kia, who'd actually made quite an effort and had a fairly large stand. Unusually far back but certainly not out of the spotlight stood the Kia Kee, a bright green V6 coupe concept featuring what could be many future design details, and sending out a clear message that Kia means business now and isn't prepared to be seen as an unexciting manufacturer. Taking pride of place at the front of the stand were a selection of other concepts, the eco_cee'd (almost production ready), the ex_cee'd, which is a pretty cabriolet version of the normal cee'd, and a trio of Soul concept vehicles. The Soul 'Burner' is a kind of street racer's version of the tall small car with matt paint and red accents, the 'Diva' a 'bling'd' out shiny one with gold wheels, and the 'Searcher' which looked more like an outdoors pursuit car.

A short hop past the eco vehicles (I'll come to them later) found me at Nissan where the impressive GT-R was making it's UK debut. If you've seen Top Gear or played Gran Turismo 5 Prologue you'll know it's performance credentials, but it was interesting to see it in the flesh, along with a cutaway version of the car exposing it's technology to all. GT-R and an irrelevant to the UK electric powered Cube excepted, the Nissan stand had nothing to keep me interested so I walked to their partner Renault, where my eye was caught by two beautiful concepts, one a Laguna Coupe in pearlescent white (which if it makes production will be the best looking French car since the Peugeot 406 Coupe ten years ago), and the eye-catching Megane Coupe Concept. This featured two-part doors, where the glass hinged upwards in a gullwing fashion, and then the main body of the door followed suit, supported by a single huge hinge at the back of the door, allowing complete access to the funky cockpit. The good news about this car is that the next Megane will be heavily based on the styling of this concept. Renault was also displaying the Megane R26.R, which has recently set the fastest Nürburgring lap time of any hot hatch, at 8m'17s.

Across the hall were Mazda, who had the usuall array of RX-8s and MX-5s and Mazda3s, as well as the excellent Mazda2 (one of which was being held aloft by paper cranes, another in new Mazdaspeed form) and a few examples of their new 6, which looks as sleek as it does in pictures. It actually looks quite similar to the Insignia. At the back on a stage was the agressive and flowing Furai, with it's papery swoops lit up by LED lights and wearing a racing livery. In the centre of the hall were perfect original examples of the first generation Mazda MX-5 and the curvy RX-7. Opposite were the Jaguar and Land Rover stands. Jaguar didn't have anything particularly interesting to display but it was nice to see the XF up close, and Land Rover had the sleek LRX next to a pumped-up version of the Defender.

The Ford area was predictably massive, with a row of new Fiestas taking centre stage, plenty of Mondeos, a Formula Ford on the wall, and a bright Lamborghini-green new Focus RS right in the middle attracting admiring grunts from people in baseball caps. With almost 300bhp going through the front tyres, it'll be exciting at the very least. The best looking version of the Fiesta was actually the Econetic low-emissions version they had on display, because the blue paint scheme suited it a lot better than some of the awful choices on the other cars. A quick sit inside revealed it was certainly better quality than the previous model and very well equipped. The gearchange is mounted high like the Mazda2 it's based on but space in the rear didn't look too special, even compared with my own ten year-old Fiesta. It's sure to be a good car, but on balance I'd prefer the Mazda2.

I also took a quick look inside the Kuga, Ford's soft-roader, to compare it with the VW Tiguan I'd had a closer look at a month or so back. Personally I prefer the VW still, but the Ford rep who joined me inside the car did a good job of highlighting some great features the Kuga has, such as a three-pin plug in the back for accessories. Much better than a fag lighter. Alas, he couldn't make the speech-recognition function understand his commands though.

That was it for the first hall. Honda started the next, with a few new Accords being overshadowed by the sexy OSM (Open Study Model) concept, which in production form will be replacing the S2000 as Honda's sports car. The display model was front wheel drive and used a hybrid powertrain. Displaying the same characteristics was the Honda CR-Z, a spiritual successor to the old CRX and sporting the same split rear screen and looking every inch the agressive small coupe. On the upper stand was the FCX fuel cell vehicle, getting virtually no attention from the visitors. Hiding it isn't the best way to introduce the concept to the people.

Suzuki had cars hidden away too, but not important ones. A special edition Jimny sat next to a Swift rally car and a couple of motorcycles, but out front were the Kizashi and A-star concepts, a sleek, powerful fastback and a small city car respectively. Next door, Lexus had their LF-A sports car on display next to their worthy but dull range of big saloons and SUVs. BRABUS and Mercedes-Benz were attracting more attention, making best use of V12 bombshell saloons and AMG models.

Toyota was once again pushing the Hybrid message, with the hyped-up Prius sitting uneasily near three off-roaders, one of which makes use of a 4.5 litre V8 engine, albeit a diesel. Mixed messages for potential Toyota customers. Also near the Prius was the Hybrid I concept, which looked just like a future Prius fitted with features that will never make production. The mid-engined Aygo Crazy was also on the stand, but isn't as interesting in person as it is in magazines. A disappointing range. Subaru also disappointed, with just a diesel Legacy and a slightly hotter Impreza WRX 'S' remotely getting any attention.

Alfa Romeo however had a fantastic array of cars and the stand was packed on both days I visited. Whatever shade of red and whatever lighting they'd chosen, was making the cars look absolutely stunning, glinting like rubies and attracting visitors like magpies. Pride of place was reserved to the two 8Cs (a coupe and a cabriolet), a Brera Spider and a Mito. Examples of most of their range were available to sit and poke around in, so I made a bee-line for the Mito, here in left-hand drive. It looks much better in real life than it does in pictures, so that was my first worry dispelled. The interior seems well made, very nicely designed and typically sporty. The leather seats were gorgeous and all the controls (pedals, gearshift) seemed light. I'll endeavour to get a road test once the model is in showrooms.

SEAT had a large range of cars, with the Ibiza SC being the main attraction, but I didn't try it out for size. Looks good enough, but isn't particularly exciting. The Leon Cupra next to their touring car, painted in white, looked the business though, and was attracting a number of admiring glances. Despite being a 5-door it's certainly one of the better looking hot hatchbacks available. At the other side of the stand were a line of three"Ecomotive" models, a Leon, old Ibiza and a Sharan. It seems every manufacturer is cashing in on the bandwagon. Apart from looking very basic and painted a crisp white they didn't show any signs of being any different from the regular models. They do apparently have low emissions though, so maybe I'm just being cynical.

Hyundai had a new coupe on display, as well as an i10 ice cream van with a pretty show girl handing out free ice lollies, and a decent looking i30, but otherwise nothing of note. Peugeot had even less on offer, save for the 308 RCZ which they were "unveiling" all week to draw a bit of attention to their range populated by ugly and boring passenger cars. No amount of Le Mans cars, tarted up 207s and track cars can give a halo effect to that range.

I'll skip the supercars in the Sunday Times enclosure as you can read plenty about them elsewhere (most likely in the Times), but as far as sports cars Lotus' new Evora was drawing the crowds. Not as pretty as the Elise but a good looking sports car nonetheless. Lotus' stand, as usual, was populated by people of increased physical stature trying to feed themselves into Elises and Exiges and failing miserably.

After all this, there was much to do outdoors, if you could bear the queues. There was an off-road mountain style display with Land Rovers in police livery, and a VXR tent pumping out loud music the whole time and generally being as brash as the cars themselves. Honda had their own action arena that I neglected to go to for time and money reasons, but I did have a go at the Mazda Zoom-Zoom challenge, not wanting to miss the opportunity to try a Mazda2 and an MX-5 on a mini track. After an hour queueing you only get about five minutes of driving but even that is enough to confirm that the 2 feels very much like an MX-5 - there's some strong family DNA running through it. The gearshift in both is sweet and the steering accurate and with good feel for both cars. Pedal feel is lacking in both, though I'm sure with more miles you wouldn't notice. If you can't afford an MX-5, get a 2, you won't be missing out on much! Hopefully I'll get a longer drive in a 2 soon.

There were plenty of motorhomes on display which brought into mind images of epic Stateside road trips, and an array of commercial vehicles courtesy of What Van? Magazine giving them their own space. Like many of the manufacturer's standard cars, these were available to test drive.

So what of the no-shows? I was disappointed by the lack of Fiat, BMW, VW, Audi and Volvo most noticably, and it was a pity to not see Daihatsu there either, given that their parent company Toyota was there and yet had a pretty dull range. These manufacturers all have some great cars and some fairly recent releases (the VW Scirocco being a noticeable abscence) and although I'm sure they have their reasons for not attending, it would not surprise me if some customers shun these brands in favour of their rivals. Certainly, the Insignia was a high enough quality product to make people think twice about buying a 3-series or Audi A4.

Stand of the show definitely goes to Alfa Romeo. They're a brand on resurgence and the popularity of the stand can only be a good thing, even if it's made one extra person decide to get a 159 instead of a BMW. The Mito will certainly give MINI something to worry about. Car of the show for me was probably the Honda CR-Z, as it's exactly the sort of car I want to see, sporty, economical, small. As far as more mainstream cars go, the Insignia and new Fiesta will soon be everywhere but they're certainly going to be very good cars.

And so you've reached the end of Motor Show 2008. I'll soon be doing an electric/eco cars supplement so keep your eyes peeled!

All photographs ©Tarmac 2008