Drivers who fill their cars with expensive ‘superfuels’ and expect to see big economy gains should think again, according to a report by What Car?.

Real-world tests were carried out for What Car? by the AA’s former senior research engineer, Peter de Nayer. In these tests, high-octane premium fuels including BP Ultimate, Shell V-Power, Esso Supreme and Total Excellium performed little or no better than their cheaper equivalents, in spite of costing around 7% more per litre.

“Our tests show that premium fuels are an unnecessary expense with no major fuel economy benefit,” said What Car? editor, Steve Fowler.

“The verdict is still out on whether superfuels prolong engine life, as fuel manufacturers claim. Nonetheless, even using the fuel companies’ own figures, you’re unlikely to travel 7% further on a tank of fuel for a 7% increase in your fuel bill.”

The top-performing fuel in What Car?’s tests was Sainsbury’s 97-octane fuel, which delivered 0.5 mpg more than its 95-octane fuel ­ in real terms that means just 6 miles more per tank.

“Unless the prices of these superfuels come down, there are far easier and cheaper ways of reducing your fuel consumption and your car’s emissions,” continued Steve Fowler. “By changing your driving style, anticipating the road ahead and sticking to the speed limit, you can make fuel savings for free!”

What Car?’s Top Tips for more economical and greener driving are:

* Change your driving style – don’t use the accelerator like a switch ­ be gentle ­ and don’t over-rev the engine. Allow more time for your journey, too.
* Lose weight – don’t leave heavy items in your car that you don’t need and remove roof racks and roof boxes when you’re not using them.
* Look after your car – a properly maintained car with correctly inflated tyres will use less fuel.
* Switch It off – If you’re stuck in traffic, switch your engine off. And don’t use energy-sapping features such as air-con if you don’t need to.
* Anticipation – reading the road and traffic conditions will enable you to drive more smoothly, helping economy and your passengers’ constitution!
* Stick to the speed limit – driving at the legal limit or just below and selecting the highest gear possible without letting the engine labour will pay dividends.
* Leave the car at home – an engine is at its most inefficient when cold, so don’t use the car for the shortest journeys.
* Plan your journey – avoiding busy times when the roads are most congested, while bypassing roadworks will mean less stop/start driving and less fuel used.

PLEASE NOTE EMBARGO - Not for publication or broadcast before 0001 hours Friday 28 Sep 2007

The first revised Highway Code in eight years has today been unveiled by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick. The updated Code offers the latest road safety rules and advice, as well as promoting greater courtesy and understanding among all road users, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

A new Safety Code for Novice Drivers, to help motorists better navigate their first few months behind the wheel, has also been added. It offers practical advice like "If you are driving with passengers, you are responsible for their safety. Don't let them distract you or encourage you to take risks" and "Never show off or try to compete with other drivers, particularly if they are driving badly".

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"The Official Highway Code is for life, not just for passing your driving test. It is a crucial tool for all road users - car drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians alike - and applies to every stage of your life. Road safety is a responsibility we all share and everyone should have a copy of the Code to keep their knowledge up-to-date.

"However, we know that the first few months after passing your driving test can be a risky time. This is reflected in the latest Code which offers practical safety advice and reminders of the rules new drivers must abide by."

The Code has also been updated to include new legislation that has been introduced on vehicle emissions and smoking in vehicles that are work places, as well as the provision of new stopping/directing powers to VOSA and Highways Agency Traffic Officers. Alongside this, it references new initiatives like Quiet Lanes, High-occupancy Vehicle Lanes, Home Zones and Active Traffic Management schemes that people should be aware of, as well as increasing, re-writing or enhancing existing advice to promote greater co-operation between road users and further promote safety.

The Code is substantially updated every 8-10 years. The last significant revision was in 1999.

Notes to Editors:
1. The Highway Code celebrated its 75th birthday in 2006. When it was first launched in 1931 - at the cost of one old penny - there were just 2.3 million motor vehicles in Great Britain, yet over 7,000 people were killed in road accidents each year.

2. It is the official guide to using the roads safely and legally. It has contributed enormously to road safety and reliable road transport. However, every day, on average around nine people are killed and around 80 are seriously injured in road collisions. So it is as important as ever that all road users, including drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians, should update their knowledge of The Highway Code.

3. Much of the advice in The Highway Code has changed and evolved over time by necessity. The basic advice in a Highway Code of 30 years ago may not be applicable today, given increased traffic volumes; larger, faster vehicles; more complex road layouts; updated/new road signage and markings; and many other factors.

4. All road users have a responsibility to ensure their knowledge is updated, in order to adjust their awareness and actions appropriately, for the benefit of others and for their own safety.

5. The new Code was drawn up following a public consultation which resulted in 26,963 comments being received, all of which were considered and evaluated by the relevant groups within DfT and DSA before the final wording was decided.

6. The revised Code has increased in size by approximately 50%. It includes 29 more rules than previously and many other rules have been increased, rewritten or enhanced to make things much clearer for all road users on how they should act or react in a variety of situations.

7. The Official Highway Code is published by The Stationery Office Ltd (TSO) and is priced at £2.50. Visit http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/highwaycode or call 0870 600 5522. Copies are also available from all good High Street and online bookstores The Code is also available for free at http://www.direct.gov.uk/highwaycode.

8. For the first time TSO are publishing The Official Highway Code on CD-ROM. The new, interactive version, launching in November 2007, will feature a range of interactive quizzes and games to test knowledge and understanding of the rules of the road

Jeep has teamed up with outdoor clothing and equipment retailer, Snow+Rock, to produce a new special edition Jeep Grand Cherokee, available for a limited time at Chrysler dealerships.

The stylish newcomer is available in both Limited and Overland guise and extras include chrome tail lamp guards, black running boards, rear splash guards, a moulded cargo tray, multi-purpose roof crossbars (Limited models only) and a choice of ski carrier, roof box or bike rack.

And to make this new model even more attractive, there’s £2,000 off the price of the standard Limited and Overland models, plus customers will receive a Snow+Rock voucher for £250 which can be spent at any one of its 16 stores in the UK.

Peter Lambert, Managing Director of Chrysler UK Ltd, said: “The limited edition Snow+Rock Jeep Grand Cherokee is ideal for people who enjoy making the most of the great outdoors.

“Not only does it look great, but comes with a range of functional accessories which make life easier for carrying equipment and tackling the rough stuff.”

For further details on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Snow+Rock limited editions, and the full range of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models please contact your local Chrysler dealership.

Snow+Rock details can be found at: www.snowandrock.com

Gaydon, Warwickshire 21 September 2007 − Land Rover is supplying 49 of its vehicles to the Highways Agency, the organisation responsible for maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major ‘A’ roads.

The new Discovery 3 vehicles will replace existing Land Rovers from the agency’s fleet which have been used by its uniformed Traffic Officers, who patrol the motorways day and night helping to keep the traffic moving. The vehicles have been used intensively in recent months to cope with the disruption caused by this summer’s floods. In the last 18 months, each vehicle has clocked up approximately 213,000 miles of use.

Land Rovers are selected by the Highways Agency for their towing and load carrying capabilities, good all round visibility and their capacity to cope with a variety of adverse weather conditions, such as snow, ice or floods. The 4x4s assist Traffic Officers in dealing with accidents, carriageway debris and broken down vehicles.

Since August 2006, Land Rover has delivered a training programme for the agency, which all Traffic Officers must complete. Seven Land Rover Experience off-road centres run the 'Adverse Weather Conditions Driving Course’ which has been designed to ensure that all officers have the knowledge and ability to use the vehicles safely and effectively, and in all weather conditions.

The training programme adheres to Land Rover’s Fragile Earth policy, which incorporates an off-road code for responsible driving and actively encourages the use of environmentally conscious practices.

Land Rover’s UK Marketing Director, Andy Griffiths, said: “With nearly 60 years of experience, in overcoming the elements and negotiating any terrain, Land Rover has a wealth of experience to share.

“The training programme has been specially developed with the needs of the Traffic Officers in mind and has been designed to ensure that Officers are ready to cope with the worst that the British weather can throw at them.”

Land Rover works with emergency services, police, and ambulance teams across the country. The company supplies a quarter of the global aid agency market and is involved in numerous important conservation programmes worldwide, which are hugely beneficial to local communities. Without the use of Land Rovers, some of their rescue missions or emergency operations would be impossible.