Flintoff spared ban for speeding

ANDREW 'Freddie' Flintoff has escaped a driving ban for speeding in his Bentley after arguing "exceptional hardship" to magistrates. Flintoff, 36, was already on nine points for speeding and in danger of an automatic ban with another three points after admitting being behind the wheel when flashed by a camera doing 87mph on the M6, near Linstock, Cumbria on January 28 this year, Carlisle Magistrates' Court heard. But JPs accepted a ban would amount to exceptional hardship because of the effect on others who rely on his extensive charity work and the privacy of his three children.

New Opel/Vauxhall Astra saloon revealed – but not for the UK

The new Astra with a boot has been revealed but it’s not heading for the UK. It will, however, be offered in Germany and Spain. The hatchback has taken over the car world in recent years when it comes to family cars (although we could see the crossover / compact SUV supplant it before long), which has meant the demise of the traditional saloon, certainly in the UK market.

Vuhl 05 is a Mexican Ariel Atom – costs from £66,000

The Vuhl 05 (pictured), track-focused road car, has been revealed The Vuhl 05 – which has been teased recently – was unveiled this afternoon in London as Mexico’s answer to the Ariel Atom. The Vuhl 05 uses a bonded monocoque with honeycomb panels and aluminium covered on plastic panels to keep weight down to just 695kg. That means that even though the Vuhl 05 has only 285bhp available from its mid-mounted 2.0 litre turbo Ford EcoBoost engine, it can still get to 62mph in 3.7 seconds thanks to a power to weight ratio of 400bhp per tonne.