Fashion

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Stripe Up Your Life

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Use stripes to enhance your silhouette and add a pop of colour

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1. Holster Australia Sail Away shoe £49, Bodenhams of Ludlow; bodenhams.co.uk 2. Passionata Adila bikini (top £44, briefs £23), John Lewis; johnlewis.com 3. Joules Witham striped hooded sweatshirt £49.95, Anna Davies,

Betws-y-Coed; annadavies.co.uk 4. Salsa striped blouse £85, Abi Fisher, Willington, Cheshire; abifi sher.co.uk 5. Neo Stripe tee £27.50, White Stu ; whitestu .com 6. Barbour Ellewood top £44.95, Outdoor and Country, Chester; outdoorandcountry.co.uk 7. Lazy Jacks prism dress £29.99, Charlies Home and Garden, Shrewsbury; £29.99, Charlies Home and Garden, Shrewsbury; charlies.co.uk 8. Robell Rose trousers £69.95, Majors & Parker Taylor, Shrewsbury; majorsonline.co.uk 9. Striped knit dress £32.99, Zara; zara.com 10. Joules Coretta shorts £18.95 (sale price), Peppers Fashion, Church Stretton,

Shropshire; peppersfashions.co.uk 11. Thought Azalea pleated culottes £79.95, Bodenhams of Ludlow, as above 12. Paul Smith tote bag £595, Pockets, Shrewsbury; pockets.co.uk

Motoring

Genesis: a new brand and a new way of buying a car

Hyundai is hoping to cruise into the premium sector in the slipstream of Toyota’s Lexus. It’s a brave move, writes motoring correspondent Bob Hickman

FACTS AT A GLANCE

• Models tested: Genesis G 80 saloon and

GV 70 SUV • Price: from £47,950 (G 80); £41,800 (GV 70) • Engine: 3.0 litre diesel; 2.5 litre petrol • Performance: 155 mph, 0-60 in 6.0 seconds (G 80); 138 mph, 0-60 in 7.9 seconds (GV 70) • Warranty: 5 years

It takes time to conquer the high-end market. Badge culture very much still exists, and for most people Audi, BMW and Mercedes are the major players. Toyota is battling on and already the name Lexus is synonymous with the quality upmarket manufacturer, and so Hyundai has taken the somewhat brave step to introduce the Genesis range into this segment.

Primarily there will be an SUV, probably the flagship, but there are also saloon and estate versions, and a full EV on the horizon.

The question is, of course, is the product up to the hype? I was privileged to be invited to the launch and had the opportunity to drive the all-new saloon and also the GV 70, the SUV.

Genesis is intending to be different. You will not be able to buy the model of your choice at a traditional

“sweeping lines, with dealership: it is all done online. The vehicle is then delivered, in a custom trailer, to your home. Owners benefit a large from an extensive package called the grille, very Genesis 5-Year Care. It includes a long bonnet five-year warranty, five-year servicing, and lots of chrome” five-year courtesy car, five-year update on maps and the technology required to operate the car, and 24-hour roadside assistance.

The G80 saloon proved an executive car in every area. It’s available as petrol and diesel and my test car was equipped with a 2.5-cylinder diesel engine producing 300bhp.The external appearance is one of sweeping lines, with a large grille, very long bonnet and lots of chrome details – I felt it was an attractive package. It has a long wheelbase and this translates to a wonderful amount of space within the cabin. The interior is without doubt one of the highlights – it’s luxurious, and everywhere you look the fittings and the materials used are of the highest quality.

The drive was smooth, as you’d expect from an executive car, and the performance substantial: 0 to 60 takes a mere six seconds, with a top speed of 155mph, and the combined fuel figure is given as 32 mpg. The all-drive capacity of this vehicle has lots of traction, whatever conditions you may find yourself driving in.

One item that attracted my attention was that both wing mirrors have cameras secreted in them, displaying overtaking vehicles and also those you have just overtaken – very clever and useful.

The Genesis is available as Premium or Luxury line. The equipment included as standard in the entry-level model is extensive: LED lights, 19inch alloy wheels, heated seats, the list goes on… It is the interior features that tick the box. The Genesis looks and feels an executive vehicle; the rear space offers excellent legroom and headroom, and the quality and comfort of the seats is substantial.

Only time will tell if the Genesis is to be successful, and time is what they need. You cannot introduce a new brand and expect overnight success and huge sales.

The G80 Genesis is priced at £47,950 on the road, but with extras (sunroof £1,500, a fabulous sound system at £800) my test car came in at £54,280.

Bob Hickman is a devoted car and motorcycle fan. After a 30-year career as a police patrol officer, and then sergeant, patrolling the Midlands motorway, retirement beckoned and he embarked on writing about his love of cars and bikes. Bob is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and the Midland Guild of Motoring Writers. He rides a Royal Enfield Continental GT and drives a 1994 MG RV8.