Less than half of the country’s drivers regularly have their cars serviced. In a poll of UK drivers, only 49 per cent said they always remember to have their car maintained according to service schedule. The poll revealed that 27 per cent of motorists admitted to only getting their car serviced when they could afford it, and 9 per cent would only bother if they felt it absolutely necessary. Some 15 per cent stated that they never bother with servicing, with some of these admitting that they did not even know how to make basic checks on their car, like tyre pressure, oil and water. The poll was carried out by an online division of Hero Insurance Services Ltd.

It seems that Chris Eaton, the new British tennis hope that emerged as an overnight star at Wimbeldon, has the right idea when it comes to motoring. Chris, you will remember, drives a battered Vauxhall Astra with one wing mirror covered in duct tape. And in these exciting times of the credit crunch, that makes him a role model because news has recently emerged that owners  of cars built before 1988 are paying much lower running costs for their vehicles.

Experts say that cars of this age no longer suffer from depreciation, they are cheap to maintain and insurance costs next to nothing. Of course, it's also great fun to drive a classic.

Martin Mosley of Carparts-direct.co.uk said tax, insurance, servicing and fuel can be less than one year’s depreciation on a brand new car. “We have seen a huge increase in the number of motorists putting their old cars back on the road in recent months due to the cost of road tax, insurance and fuel,” he said.

Excitement over the all-new Ferrari California continues to rise as the official unveiling draws nearer. Available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hard top, the public will first be able to set eyes on the beast at the Paris International Car Show in early October. 

Ferrari has drawn on the heritage of the original 1960s 250 GT California, which is clearly visible in the shape of the hood scoop and headlights to the sweep of the rear fenders and vents behind the front wheels. The aerodynamics have been optimised to ensure that this is a highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.

In line with the rest of the current range both chassis and bodywork are aluminium. To improve the weight distribution, the 4.3-litre V8 engine is mounted for the first time in the marque’s history in the mid-front position - which means it has a boot at the back!

The Ferrari California has F1-Trac traction control, a system that made its debut on the 599 GTB Fiorano. The engine features direct fuel injection and a “flat” crankshaft and is coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car’s performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions. Comfort is further enhanced by a new multilink rear suspension system. Most importantly, it moves from zero to 62mph in less than four seconds.

For further information visit www.ferraricalifornia.com

Lamborghini has unveiled a more potent version of its Gallardo coupe. Called the LP560-4 (which is somewhat similar to the unimaginative names that scientists give to far away galaxies) the car is powered by a 5.2-litre V10 engine which propels it to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds.

Part of the cars ridiculous name reflects the fact that it delivers 560 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, while the “4” at the end of the name indicates all-wheel-drive.

We’re told by reliable sources that the engine features a new “Iniezione Diretta Stratificata” direct injection system. For Lamborghini drivers who like to keep an eye on prices at the fuel pumps, the good news is that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by 18 per cent compared with Gallardo Coupe it replaces. 

The redesigned four-wheel-drive system, an improved suspension design, and optimised aerodynamics all contribute to an improved driving experience. A weight reduction of 44 lbs and decreased friction between the components also enhance performance.