News briefs

SHELL is finally launching V-Power Diesel in the UK. It employs the same gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology as the fuel used by the Le Mans-winning Audi R10 and will cost 6p a litre more than Shell’s regular diesel. Initially available only in the South East, it will spread to the rest of the UK in 2007.

FOR a £900 premium, SEAT is now offering the option of DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) on its sporty Altea and Leon FR models. Both come with paddles to shift through their six speeds, and both are slightly quicker off the line than their manual-boxed counterparts.

SILVERSTONE is offering a special Christmas price of £99 (a third off the normal price) to drive a single-seater, rally car or Lotus Exige. So if you don’t want comedy cartoon Y-fronts for Christmas, direct your loved one towards www.silverstone.co.uk

READER Peter Roberts has started a petition against the introduction of the GPS tracking scheme at the heart of the Government’s road pricing proposals. He’s looking to attract one million signatures to the petition, which you can access online at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/traveltax