You can’t seem to move for Yetis at the moment.
First naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough revealed he longs to make a film about the Abominable Snowman, which is said to inhabit the remotest parts of the Himalayas.
Sir David, 87, said: ‘I genuinely believe a creature akin to a yeti could exist. I’d love to make a documentary about it.’
Then on Thursday, scientists revealed there could indeed be a Yeti.
Tests on hair samples by scientists at Oxford University showed a genetic match with an ancient polar bear, with boffins believing there could be a subspecies of brown bear in the High Himalayas that has been mistaken for the mythical beast.
For motorists, however, getting to grips with a Yeti is a bit more straightforward.
And Skoda is about to launch the second generation of its popular crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV).
The first generation has already proved a big hit.
Last weekend, I saw a Yeti driver in his vehicle with a trailer — in, of all places, Surbiton in Surrey, home of TV’s The Good Life — and asked him what he thought. Loved it, he said, apart from the lack of a towing lock.
Then another one pulled up. What are the chances of that? Two versions of the new Yeti are available for the first time — the standard and the more ruftytufty Outdoor.
Skoda says the standard ‘appeals to buyers who demand the high driving position and visibility of an SUV, but don’t require off-road capability’. It is offered in front-wheel-drive form only and available in three trim grades: S, SE and Elegance.
There is a choice of three engines, including a frugal 1.6 TDi CR 105PS DPF GreenLine II unit that emits just 119g/km of carbon dioxide.
For more adventurous driving conditions, the Outdoor has a noticeably more rugged look than the two-wheel-drive standard and comes with the option of a new fifth-generation Haldex clutch four-wheel-drive system.
A spokesman added: ‘The bumpers incorporate steeper approach and departure angles for off-road use, while the use of black trim along the sides and lower elements of the bumper means the Outdoor can take rough surfaces in its stride.’
The Outdoor comes in four specification levels: S, SE, Elegance and L&K. The range includes two petrol engines and four diesels, from 105 to 170 bhp.
There are both manual and automatic gearbox options.
Following its public debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, UK order books for the facelifted Yeti open this month, with the f irst customer del iveries expected in January.
Prices are from £16,600 for the Yeti S 1.2 TSi 105PS, up to £27,050 for the range-topping Outdoor L&K 2.0 TDI 140 bhp 4x4 DSG.
New technology on selected trim levels includes rear-view parking camera, bi-xenon lights with LED daytime running lights and keyless entry, start and exit system and the latest generation Park Assist.
Four metallic colours have also been added to the range: Moon White, Jungle Green, Metal Grey and Magnetic Brown.
All-electric Nissan Leaf: Wentworth-based
businessman and consultant Massimo Fedeli is pictured receiving the keys
from Nissan's electric vehicle manager Paul O'Neil
Heard the one about the two Ferraris overtaken by an all-electric Nissan Leaf?
Veteran broadcaster and journalist Nick Ferrari was the spirited fast-talking auctioneer at the London Press Club Ball as the star lot — a year’s driving of the pollution-free Sunderland-built hatchback — was won for £3,000.
The buyer was the former head of Ferrari in the UK, Wentworthbased businessman and consultant Massimo Fedeli, whose usual stockin-trade is gas-guzzling supercars. He is pictured receiving the keys from Nissan’s electric vehicle manager Paul O’Neil.
‘It’s a fascinating car — a little different to what I’m used to. But it interests me. Especially for driving into London. No congestion charge or tax to pay. And no petrol, either,’ Massimo said.
Unlike Ferraris, which top £100,000 and have supercar performance figures, the top-of-the-range Leaf, at £26,000, goes from rest to 62mph in 11.5 seconds, has a top speed of 90mph and a range on full charge of up to 124 miles.
A fleet of 14 Leafs ferried VIP guests to and from the event, with two more parked outside. X Factor finalist Ella Henderson was the star singing performer.
Out to relaunch her career, she performed an exclusive preview of three songs to appear on a forthcoming album. More than £30,000 was raised on the night for the Journalists’ Charity, of which £20,000 came from the auction.
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The remodelled Jaguar E-Type: The 1968 left-hand
drive series 1 4.2-litre roadster has been stretched by 4½ in during a
major restoration by Classic Motor Cars Ltd, of Bridgnorth, Shropshire
How do you improve on perfection? How about stretching it a bit? Then maybe adding a trailer?
Purists may wince, but that’s what one collector did with his 45-year-old E-Type Jaguar.
The 1968 left-hand drive series 1 4.2-litre roadster has been stretched by 4½ in during a major restoration by Classic Motor Cars Ltd, of Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
The owner also requested a trailer to tour without compromising luggage space. Panels from E-Type rears were used to make it.
Nick Goldthorp, managing director of CMC, said: ‘This is something we have never done before.
‘Our client wanted the interior leg room of a Series 3 V12 E-Type, but the aesthetics of a Series 1 car. The extra space alters the whole attitude of the car.’
The roof line has also been raised 1¼ in and the boot floor lowered and reshaped to build in a 20-gallon fuel tank and allow a wider spare wheel, as the car is now fitted with larger 16 in wire wheels.
Owner Paul Branstad believes the result is more beautiful than the original.
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