Points and fine for ignoring red X signs

MAY brought the news that red X signs indicating a closed lane on a smart motorway would be enforced by cameras, with offenders receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice, three points and a fine of up to £100. Previously, drivers could be penalised for breaching X rules only if a police officer witnessed them doing so. Highways England issued more than 180,000 warning letters to drivers ignoring red X signs between January 2017 and May 2018.

THE launch of a new Porsche 911 is always a big deal. In the model’s 56-year history there have been only eight generations – and this 992-codenamed version proved to us that it’s the most technologically advanced yet.

An updated turbocharged engine still featured at the rear of a wider chassis that used more aluminium than ever before, while the interior came in for a massive overhaul.

The 992 arrived at the same time as the facelifted Audi R8, which still turns up its nose at turbocharging with its glorious 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10, and faced the Porsche in our exclusive twin test. Here, both cars proved stunning to drive for different reasons, but it was the 911 that showed it was the more complete sports car. Despite a lower power output, it out-performed the R8, out-cornered it, rode better and offered more practicality – and the new technology it offered sealed the deal.

Yet the swollen size and new assistance systems that forced some mechanical and electronic changes over its predecessor meant the 911 felt more remote than ever. Make no mistake, it’s still the best sports car on sale, but with the base Carrera and manual models not launching until later, this was a hint at the 911’s future development path.

Both proved stunning to drive, but the 911 showed that it was the more complete sports car

AN extensive facelift for the evergreen A4 was one of May’s biggest stories – and while most mid-life refreshes amount to some new headlights and trim pieces, the updates to this fifth-generation Audi were as far reaching as things go.

A total visual transformation gave a sportier look, complemented by a cabin overhaul that centred around new infotainment. There were fresh engines, too, with all but the 2.0 and 3.0-litre diesels featuring mild-hybrid technology. Meanwhile, the hot S4 moved somewhat surprisingly towards diesel power – a total recipe change.