BIT GIULI-BETTER

Alfa romeo has added a new trim level to its Giulietta range. It’s called, not very imaginatively, the sport.

The spec includes 17in wheels, side skirts, tinted rear windows, a front splitter and new rear diffuser with red detailing. It’s a styling job in other words.

The new Giulietta sport is available with petrol and diesel engines both producing 120bhp.

The Giulietta looks stylish but it’s getting pretty long in the tooth now. I’ve not heard that any replacement is on its way. Ford has a new-generation Ka+ on the way which will be joined by a totally new version called the Ka+ Active. As you can probably guess from its name, it’s a crossover version of the Ka+ that features off-road styling features and a raised ride height. The Ka+ Active will join the Fiesta Active which is also being launched this year and which will fulfil the same crossover role. The Ka+ range will go on sale later this year.

road safety charities including Brake and IAM roadsmart have welcomed moves by the Department of Transport to look into a graduated licensing scheme for young drivers. It would include post-test checks and continued learning.

Very laudable, but young people might rightly ask why older drivers’ skills are not checked, despite driving conditions and the environment changing dramatically since many of us passed our tests.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveal that car sales fell by 6.3% last month compared to January 2017. I have a feeling that this trend is going to continue all year, a feeling backed by conversations with people in car companies who are rather worried about the year ahead. Interest rates rising, continued worries over Brexit and inflation are all going to be reasons not to buy.