A GLIMPSE OF BENTLEY’S FUTURE DESIGN

The Batur is more than just a glimpse of Bentley’s future design. It will be a significant step towards the way future Bentleys will be made, using the planet-friendly materials and techniques needed for a more sustainable vision of luxury car manufacture.

For Mulliner customers, the ability to specify bespoke colours, materials and finishes is of the highest priority and the Batur demonstrates even further Bentley’s ability to use unique combinations of colour and materiality.

Carbon fibre is known for its incredible balance of strength with low weight – but it is not a sustainable material. New, natural alternatives to carbon fibre are now possible using high-performance composites made from flax - a sustainable ‘super-fibre’. Immensely strong and incredibly light, this material has proved suitable for use throughout the Batur, from the exterior body kit to the internal hard surfaces.

Where leather is used, it will be sustainably sourced, thanks to a production process that uses less water and aldehyde than traditional tanning. There will also be the option to select traceable, low-CO2 leather – something that is only possible today in the low volumes involved in coachbuilding. Sustainable, leather-like textiles made from by-products of the coffee roasting process can even be selected, as can carpets made from recycled yarn.

A wealth of innovative new finishes are available for the Batur. From hallmarked 18-karat yellow gold crafted using additive manufacturing, to aerospace-inspired titanium, and the composites and textiles detailed above, choices like these only add to the immense range of leathers, woods and other options.

W.O. Bentley built the first car to bear his name in 1919. Immediately, his creations were in high demand – but he was an engineer, first and foremost. He made engines. He would affix them to a chassis, with wheels and a transmission system. The resulting machines were certainly cars – but to turn them into luxurious recreational vehicles, streamlined racing cars, or both, the services of a coachbuilder were required.

From the Roaring Twenties onwards, Mulliner built bespoke bodies and cabins for some of the world’s most iconic Bentleys, including the famous R-Type Continental of 1952. Today, Mulliner operates as Bentley’s personal commissioning division, delivering everything from bespoke modifications to coachbuilt cars.

ROAD TEST: SKODA KAMIQ - IT’S MADE STYLE AFFORDABLE

Naming your car after a word meaning ‘Something that fits perfectly’ (in the language of the Inuit people) is quite a bold move, but not one Skoda needed to fear with their Kamiq. The Kamiq feels classier than its equivalent VAG stablemates. There’s little in the way of cheaper finishes inside or out and its smoother more streamlined design makes it a stand out compared to other compact SUVs.

Four trim levels from a low price starting block of just £22,780 see all models having LED lights, cruise control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, air conditioning and powered and heated door mirrors. There are two engine options of 1.0-Litre and 1.5-litre with three power outputs and both manual and automatic gears. Nice, typically Skoda, features include hidden rubber strips that automatically pop out as you open the doors to protect their edges, an umbrella in the door and an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap. Most versions even have a removable, rechargeable torch that lives in the boot.

My particular test model was the top-ofthe-range Monte Carlo with 1.5-litre, 150PS engine and 6-speed manual gearbox. The finishing touch was the rather vibrant Phoenix Orange metallic paintwork which in itself was actually quite suited to the Kamiq, it did clash somewhat with the red flashes on the seats though! Colour clashes apart the Kamiq drew lots of admiring glances, which is quite a feat nowadays when so many modern cars are only different because of the badges they wear.

Standard fare on the Monte Carlo includes everything from navigation and gesture control to a full panoramic glass roof and the most stylish and comfortable sports seats you’re ever likely to find. Priced at £26,805 my car’s option list bumped the price to £28,370 but that did include over £1k for a detachable tow bar and a similar figure for the vibrant paint finish.

On the road the Monte Carlo’s 1.5-litre TSi power plant is a spirited performer with the benchmark 62 mph passing by in whisker over 8 seconds. It smooths bumps with aplomb and the handling is sharp enough to prove entertaining, possibly helped by the fact it isn’t the highest riding SUV. That said it’s not meant to be a Land Rover substitute, it’s much more of an all-rounder.

Skoda have really hit on a styling success with their new models and it’s a look that’s as sharp as it is subtle. With Kamiq it’s made style affordable.

ROAD TEST: TOYOTA COROLLA TOURING SPORTS - THE PERFECT CHOICE?

For many people, especially of a certain age, mention estate cars and Volvo comes to mind, estates that were favoured by antique dealers everywhere. Look for a large estate now and to be honest you’ll struggle. We’ve moved to ‘lifestyle’ estates which are colloquially known as Tourers, smaller load capacity but arguably more stylish and better handling than the estate barges of old.

One of the sleekest and most affordable estates, sorry tourers, is Toyota’s Corolla Touring Sports. Carrying their very wellproven hybrid technology, still a much more all-round and useable proposition than an EV, the Corolla may not be the most exciting means of transport, but as a package it pretty much does everything you could want of a car. Lots of equipment, affordable running costs and very well bolted together. It feels like a car that will still be running and looking good in 20 years-time.

Prices start from £31,560 with four trim levels and two engine options – 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol hybrid. Standard fare on the entry level model provides everything from front and rear parking sensors and auto lights to smart phone connectivity and dual zone air conditioning.

My test model was the Design trim, second up in the range, which adds keyless entry and start, power tailgate, privacy glass, power fold door mirrors and auto dimming rear view mirrors to its standard equipment.

One of the first things to say about the car is its apparent low stance, it’s looks very low yet isn’t compared to other cars of a similar type. So Toyota’s stylists obviously know a thing or two about sleek design!

Inside it looks and feels well assembled and the quality puts some rivals of similar price in the shade. You still get the bolt-oniPad look of so many cars but that apart there’s a pleasing normality with a standard automatic gear shift lever, buttons (hurrah!) and decent functionality to the touch screen.

As with anything Toyota the Corolla is a smooth and refined drive, push the throttle too enthusiastically though and as is usual with a CVT transmission it hangs onto high engine revs meaning it’s rather vocal. Progressive rather than sudden acceleration is the order of the day.

If you’re looking for a car that’s got more practicality than a hatchback, but still handles as capably, looks good and is superbly well built, then the Toyota Corolla Hybrid Touring might just be the perfect choice.