NIPPY

and nifty in town with sporty looks to match, I was much taken with Kia’s spicy new Picanto super-mini (left). Subjected to the worst of London’s inner-city stop-start driving, it performed admirably.

It’s no slouch on motorways and country lanes either, as a run up to the Midlands proved.

The range starts at £9,450, but I drove a fetching, fully-loaded top-of-the-range 1.25 GT-Line S at £13,950. It came complete with 7 in touchscreen satnav and hi-fi with speed camera alert, reversing cameras, sunroof, heated front seats, privacy glass, stainless steel pedals and retractable mirror — handy for parking in tight spots.

The interior is similarly sporty, with supportive sports seats and good headrests

Top speed is 107 mph and rest to 60 mph acceleration takes 11.6 seconds, but its 1.25-litre 83 bhp petrol engine linked to a five-speed manual gearbox should deliver a thrifty 60 mpg.