FreshBooks has added even greater functionality to its invoicing and accounting software designed for small businesses. It will now offer bank reconciliation and double-entry accounting to help its fastest-growing customers.

FreshBooks now includes a General Ledger, Chart of Accounts, Accountant Access, Bank Reconciliation and a host of other new features to enable growing service-based businesses to scale. FreshBooks says it will let businesses work seamlessly with an accountant and be 100% tax time ready.

FreshBooks is also beefing up its appeal for freelancers and business owners just starting out, allowing them to track their time and manage their receivables. This new advanced accounting functionality will live in the background of the software, ready for the business owner or their accountant to access when needed.

• This is the best accounting software in 2020
• Have a look at the best tax software of 2020
• Also check out our roundup of the best invoicing software in 2020

Small business appeal

“We understand that small business owners went into business to serve their clients and do the work they love - not to learn accounting,” said FreshBooks CEO and Co-founder, Mike McDerment. “Our team is proud to have added greater functionality to FreshBooks that will help our customers accomplish even more, on their terms, without adding any unnecessary complexity.”

A new report from FreshBooks shows that accountants and bookkeepers recognize that complex accounting software is a huge problem for small business owners. The report shows that almost 70 percent say that small business owners find accounting software intimidating, and 83 percent say it’s typical for small business owners to make mistakes when using it. It’s no surprise then, that so many small business owners don’t use accounting software at all.

“Small businesses that send invoices have unique needs that are hugely underserved by the accounting software market. FreshBooks focuses on these businesses exclusively because we believe that by trying to serve everyone, you serve no one,” said McDerment.

• We've also highlighted the best accounting software in 2020

Launching an online business makes way more sense than going down the old-school route of having a physical presence somewhere, with premises that are an additional drain on resources. With the right idea you can do the same thing on the internet and shave off all of those unwanted overheads, free up spare cash (if you even had it in the first place) and run a much tighter ship.

Conventional businesses can drain cash from your bank account in no time, whereas an online venture has the potential to be successful while also only requiring a reasonably small outlay. Obviously that’s not true if you’re aiming to be a major player, but if you’re launching a business on a much smaller scale then the time is ripe for getting your idea online and out there to the masses.

What you need?

Assuming you have a solid business idea - and that's easier said than done - you’re halfway there, but you’ll also need the means to keep it going once you’re up and running. If you rely on stock then it’s worth keeping that in mind. You don't want to launch a business only to find that you encounter supply chain issues soon after. However, if you’ve got an idea that doesn't require physical items of stock then you’re in a much better place.

One good example is that of tuition. Imagine you’re a guitar teacher who can't currently get out to customers, for whatever reason that might be. Health scares, bad weather; the list of potential hazards seems to be growing all the time. If you're a guitar teacher though, it can be business as usual. That’s just one example, but if you’ve got skills that can be transferable via the internet then you might be in a pretty good place.

Breaking it down

If you start to think about what you’ll actually need to carry out something like teaching guitar classes online then there’s really not much to it. You’ll clearly need an internet connection, as that’ll give you access to your window on the world. Broadband would be the preferred connectivity level, but there’s no reason mobile broadband wouldn't be okay too assuming it allows for video calls. There’s all sorts of tech here at TechRadar that will help you along that path.

Naturally, you’ll require hardware, which’ll need to be a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. That will also need software and a camera to allow you to do your teaching to customers. As for software then video conferencing tools are plentiful, with Skype being an obvious first port of call for many but there are others. Setting up the system should be straightforward enough. You’ll also have access to internet calling, as well as email so all communications bases are covered.

Taking money

Then comes the provision for getting paid for your services, which is also thankfully way more straightforward than it used to be. There are various options for setting up a payment gateway or simply for credit card processing. If you do plan on any bricks and mortar element, you will also need to ensure you have a Point of Sale (POS) in place.

So, back to our example of a guitar tutor, he or she could offer digital services by simply sending emails with payment requests through Paypal or similar for payment. This could apply whether the tuition is provide through online resources or via one-on-one tutoring.

Start promoting

While the everyday nuts and bolts of your new business venture are important, another area that will need to get close scrutiny is promotion. There’s no point in setting up a virtual shop window if nobody knows about you. If you’ve already been running a existing physical business then doubtless you’ll also possess lots of existing customers. For those people the answer is to simply send them an email, text or other digital communication to update them.

If you're starting from scratch though then you’ll want to consider spending some quality time profile building. The first port of call will be to build a website. This task has never been easier and even if you have no technical skills and little in the way of creativity, there are countless online options that can do much of the work for you. Online options include simple drag-and-drop website builders, which often come with the all-important web hosting backbone. Web hosting too can cost peanuts if you shop around. 

For our guitar tutor, they could easily set up an online ecommerce website and take payments for digital bookings rather than for products - something a lot of vendors now support.

Template heaven

Using an online website building service is brilliantly simple in many cases. You can pick and choose from site styles or themes and then populate these pages with your own content. You’ll need some decent images, which can come from a smartphone or digital camera, while you’ll also need to come up with some decent text. Think less is more for this task, as too much text and people will get bored. A simple but effective message is all you’ll need in most cases.

You could also get an individual to put a site together for you, or get a design outlet to do it for you. That said; if you’re starting out small then it’s a good idea to stick with something cheap and basic. After all, if things start taking off you can always expand. If, incidentally, your new business is more about selling products rather than services then be sure to pick a website creation tool that allows you to integrate e-commerce functionality into your pages. Again, this is super-easy to implement these days.

Profile building

Having built the website you’ll also need to start social media promotion. In fact, getting in early with that makes a lot of sense, so start building the foundations with the usual social media options, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram among others. This will take time, so you need to work at it and post regularly. It might seem like a chore, but this can really pay dividends. Of course, if you have spare cash or a marketing budget you can also opt for content marketing as well as online marketing services and advertising.

Adding up

Hopefully, with all of those component parts in place your new online business should soon start to tick over nicely. There’s no easy answer to doing this, unless you have a brilliant idea that nobody else has yet thought of. It could take time. Nevertheless, it can be fun seeing a new business grow and, if money starts rolling in, then you also have access to lots of software tools online that’ll help you manage your finances.

In fact, if you search for things like best accounting software within TechRadar then you’ll soon see that there are packages available for businesses of any size. It’s vital that you keep track of your incomings and outgoings too as, eventually, you’ll need to pay your taxes and other overheads. Needless to say, those chores can be done online too. So, what are you waiting for?

• Don't forget to keep track of your personal finances as well!

Remote working offers up all sorts of opportunities and certainly much more freedom than being confined to an office. And, thanks to technology you have a tantalizing suite of digital tools at your disposal. Here’s our pick of the best options so you can hit the ground running.

Productivity power

Although many people think that a suite of Microsoft Office tools will answer their prayers there are also plenty of other options when it comes to general remote working productivity. A simple search online will reveal a plethora of alternative office suites, many of which are free. You can produce written documents, spreadsheets and deliver all manner of other digital output without signing up to the mighty Microsoft. Google, for example, is obviously a major player but the collection of online collaboration tools it has available are invaluable, particularly as they can be accessed online and from anywhere.

Just having something like Google Drive at your disposal is super convenient for storing, well, just about anything. At the same time, there are plenty of other Cloud-storage options that will prove essential as you get more productive and accumulate lots of digital files. Many are free, though some paid-for options deliver more flexibility and a good deal more storage space if you’re expanding at a rate of knots.

Safe and secure

If you’re working remotely then one of the first things worth considering is getting yourself set up with a VPN, or Virtual Personal Network. Alongside conventional online security options such as antivirus software (which you should have too), the humble VPN can be useful as it effectively masks your computer in a way that renders it basically invisible. 

As well as adding another layer of anonymity to proceedings, which is handy if you use random Wi-Fi networks, it’s also useful for tapping in to websites that might otherwise be off limits due to geographical restrictions. If you need to do lots of research online, and stay secure while you do it, then a VPN is an essential.

Internet lifeline

Next up, you’ll want to connect with others remotely, which has never been easier. Video conferencing has come a long way in recent years and it’s now possible to enjoy regular communications with colleagues, clients and fellow collaborators without fuss or bother. Dialing into a meeting online used to be fraught with minor irritations, include connectivity issues, audio quality quirks and, on a purely practical level, not knowing who was going to say what and when. Yep, collaborating over the internet used to be chaos.

Video conferencing

Now though there are some brilliant software tools for getting the best from online conference calls, both talk and video-based. Zoom is an obvious example, particularly where you need to speak with several people and have them all present virtually without the meeting descending into white noise. Zoom offers clever call management, with lots of options for sensible mediation, the capacity for chatting alongside video meetings and handy scheduling that brings a sense of order and calm to virtual meet-ups.

Office collaboration

Slack is another tool that works perfectly for remote workers as it brings almost office-style communication to any location. There are others like it of course, but Slack is one of the best, simply because it has been refined over time and now offers a pretty comprehensive collection of features and functions. You’ll be organised in no time using the power of this software, and so will your fellow collaborators no matter where they might be. There’s a free trial and then the paid for version is more affordable than some of the rivals out there.

Project management

Working remotely is easy enough, but it’s vital to stay organised and have a basic plan of action. Trello is one of those tools that, once you’ve been using it for a while, will make you wonder how you ever managed without it. Simply put, Trello is a cloud-based project management platform that allows you and others on your team to manage projects with ease. 

It comes with a comprehensive range of tools and options that enable anyone given access to it the ability to stay update with what’s going on. Remote working can often cause communication issues, crossed-wires and uncertainty, so it's vital to have a project management tool such as Trello and/or others like it that deliver clarity and precise timings for deadlines, allocated duties and more besides.

Text appeal

WhatsApp is a hugely popular tool for staying in touch with people, either on a professional or personal level. Setting up a WhatsApp group if you need to network with a collection of people can be a really practical way of sharing facts, figures and schedules with others. WhatsApp is also useful for adding a sense of fun to proceedings if you’re looking for a little bit of light relief from the daily grind. Naturally, if WhatsApp doesn't appeal then there is a rich seam of alternatives to WhatsApp, from Viber and Signal through to WeChat and others too.

Language barriers

If you’re a remote worker who plans to stay productive overseas then there are also tools that can help you get around minor things, like the local language for example. Duolingo is a cool app for tackling a raft of different languages while adding a little bit of fun into the mix. Meanwhile, Google Translate, as an alternative example, is another powerful tool for getting around language barriers and proves once again that there are no real barriers to productivity when it comes to remote working. For more serious projects, there are a number of translation software options out there.

In the zone

Similarly, if you work across time zones with fellow collaborators who might be in other parts of the world then something like Figure it Out is well worth investigating. Available as an extension for the Google Chrome browser and also as a web version, this handy add-on is a useful way of keeping tabs on who might be contactable in the office (home or otherwise), or indeed anywhere, by showing their time zone in an instant. More useful than you might think if you’re prone to globe-hopping with your work duties.

• Need to buy a new PC? We've featured the best desktops and laptops.

Working from home is an easy thing to say, but it's not always as straightforward as people hope for. However, you can make the transition much more painless if you have a little bit of a plan in place. We’ve done some of the hard work for you too, having devised a simple five-point checklist of things to consider when you’re building a home office for the very first time.

Why, you might wonder, do you need a home office anyway? Well, in the same way as lot of family members, friends and work colleagues don't seem to think working from home involves doing a proper days work, you need to be in the right ‘zone’ in order to be productive, efficient and, let’s not forget, happy. Flopping down on the sofa with a laptop might seem the easiest option, but it’s far from ideal.

Therefore, the best option is to turn a spare room into a home office. You don't have to commandeer the whole room either, as if it’s just you working from home then it’s surprising how little space you actually need. But how you lay out and occupy that space is critical to productivity.

Of course, not all of us have the luxury of a spare room that we can transform into an office, but there are ways around that too. The main thing is to find or create some dedicated space that you can call your own for the time that you’re working. Even if it’s the kitchen table, make the effort to turn it into a proper work area. Make a concerted effort to keep this your productivity zone.

So, with your sights on potentially suitable space, here are our five top tips to consider when building your home office.

1. Space

We all want more space and if you’re building a home office then you’ll need some, though not as much as some people like to make out. Central to the home office theme is your actual working area, which ideally will involve having a decent desk. You can go down the flatpack route for one, or go the whole hog, splash lots of cash and get a bespoke solution in the shape of a proper desk.

If you're planning on working from home long-term then the latter option can be sensible. There are lots of furniture outlets, both physical and online that can produce a tailor-made desk solution for you. You can get a decent desk in all sorts of shapes and sizes too, plus some companies will come around and fit them if you baulk at the thought of anything DIY-related. Just don’t buy a cheap-and-cheerful offering as any wobbles, shakes or other flaws will soon become too annoying to bear.

If you’re looking for another angle entirely then consider getting yourself a standing desk. These quirky things are just that; desks that can be raised and lowered to suit your height and preferred stance while providing all of the usual flat working space you’d get from a conventional equivalent. Some models can let you stand or sit at them, which is the best of both worlds.

2. Seating

A good quality office chair should be your next goal in the home office kitlist. While it’s tempting to use any old chair that might be surplus to requirements, this is not only going to be bad for your posture but over time it’ll probably start interfering with your productivity. Being comfortable while you work is vital, so it’s really worth investing in a proper office-style chair that can keep you comfy and efficient during your days and, possibly, nights working from home.

On the point of being comfortable, you should also consider any other accessories that’ll make put you in a better and healthier position. If you’ve got a desktop PC then kitting yourself out with a quality monitor display can be prudent. In some cases you might want to emulate the work office environment that many people use and have two monitors, depending on what sort of work you do obviously. If you’re using a laptop then a laptop stand can be another way of improving your working position.

3. Connectivity

While we’re all connected when we’re out and about thanks to smartphones, tablets and laptops, the home office can present you with a whole new set of challenges. The need for decent internet is a given nowadays, but it’s not always in the room that you’ll want to call your new home office. If you're in a small property then chances are the Wi-Fi router signal will reach wherever you are. If you live in a larger place then it might be worth beefing up your signal. Broadband providers and third-party hardware solutions are both worth investigating on this point.

The other option, if you run into technical issues such as being too far from the exchange, which is a common issue with some providers, is mobile broadband. Similarly, some properties have cable broadband in the street outside but providers might not have run a line into your property. Flats and apartments can often fall foul of this. If that’s insurmountable then it’s a good idea to consider using mobile broadband as there are plenty of options and by shopping around you’ll be able to find the best current deals to suit your needs. Dongles and MiFi options are numerous too.

4. Hardware and software

Your home office will also be the base for all of your hardware that will transform you into a powerhouse of productivity. However, older houses can often have a distinct lack of power points, so factor a multiplug into your budget equation. It's a small thing but vital if you’re going to be charging things like laptops and phones, as well as powering printers and other office peripherals. Investing in a decent lamp can be another solid purchase as having a properly lit workspace can make a huge difference on how productive you are.

Having a printer isn’t an essential in a world dominated by emails, digital documents such as PDFs and all the rest of it. However, even a fairly low-budget printer can be handy for the occasional times when you urgently need a physical copy of something. Just don't forget the ink and paper supplies to go with it.  And, talking of emails and PDFs, you’ll want to have the correct and legal software in place to stay productive.

If you’re running to a tight budget then it might be worth investigating the many and varied free software options out there. There are some accomplished alternatives to Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. In some cases they're actually better, depending on your willingness to adapt to a slightly different way of working.

5. Yourself

While it’s easy to max out your credit card ordering anything and everything to create the perfect home office, it’s easy to overlook yourself in all the fun and games. Think about what you like in the regular office workspace and maybe attempt to recreate that at home. While your home office space will lack the fellow employees there’s no reason why you can’t have a decent coffee machine to hand, or even a water cooler for that matter.

Having a dedicated work area that feels like a bona fide office will, ultimately, make you much more productive. It’ll also do a lot to confirm to family, friends and other remote working colleagues that you are actually doing a proper days work from home. Something you’ll be able to confirm when the latter group dial in for a Monday morning video conference. Just don't forget to put a tie-on to complete the ‘business as usual’ stance.

• Don't forget to protect yourself online with the best antivirus software.

Volt’s website gives you an indication of what to expect from its cool-looking new Infinity two-wheeler. "We don’t make e-bikes that look too electric" it says, as you pick over the fascinating history of this innovative British brand. It also gives you a great idea of what to expect from this latest addition to the growing range of Volt e-bikes.

The Infinity does indeed look like a proper bike, and the Volt designers have done a commendable job of making an aesthetically pleasing machine. This is despite the fact that it features the usual frame mounted battery pack and electric motor at the crank combination that defines many e-bike designs.

The company has opted to build the Infinity around two core elements; the Shimano 250W crankdrive motor and its associated Steps operating technology, which delivers 15.5mph or 25kmh tops. It also adapts assistance dynamically, depending on your requirements.

Interestingly, there’s a new LS version of this bike, a two-wheeler that's a slight variation on the theme of the base Infinity model, but features most of the same components such as 700cc wheels, Schwalbe puncture resistant tyres and SR Suntour NCX suspension.

The all-important battery, meanwhile, is a 36V standard 418Wh lithium-polymer affair from Sony and, in theory at least, delivers up to 70 miles from one charge using the Eco PAS mode. It’s a heady cocktail of quality components.

The biggest difference with the LS though is the step-through frame, which Volt says is smaller and lower than the original. That should make it more appealing to people who’ve found the original incarnation a bit big or don’t like the imposing crossbar.

Either way though, you’ll find the frame is dominated by the chunky battery and the Shimano drive unit at the crank. Without this intelligent power management system however, you’ll find the Volt Infinity a hefty little number.

As is the case with e-bikes, the battery and motor add weight, with the Infinity being 21kg without the battery and 23.65 with the power pack on board. It does feel quite heavy, especially if you’ve got to lift it in and out of a doorway or on to a train for example, even though the frame is actually aluminium.

Easy riding, on the road or off

Nevertheless, start pedaling, relax a bit and the Volt Infinity soon starts to become increasingly enjoyable. The bike features the eight or 11-speed Alfine D12 gear system, which in tandem with the Shimano Steps technology provides effortless automatic shifting. It can also be used manually if you prefer to have more involvement with your bike. Either way, the cycling part of the experience is as good as anything else on the market.

Shimano’s up-down push button located on the left side of the handlebars allows you to manage power assistance and it’s a tried and tested format that works well. An additional benefit of this when you’re not cruising is that it features a walk assist mode, which proves invaluable if you’re on the way back from the store with the bike laden down with groceries. It might seem like a little thing, but we found ourselves using walk assist frequently.

Credit should also go to the Infinity’s stopping power too, courtesy of Shimano Alfine hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels. The overall effect then is an e-bike that starts, goes and stops again without hassle.

Shimano’s handlebar-mounted computer is easy to use, both before you head off and while you’re on the move. It’s quick and easy to navigate and does things without fuss. It’s all well thought-out Japanese simplicity and compliments the overall experience with speed, distance, battery power and your chosen gear all displayed.

There are some neat touches to the Volt Infinity too, especially for people who live in countries with decent levels of rainfall. The full mudguards are invaluable, saving you, your clothes and shoes from getting a dousing on rain-drenched roads.

If you happen to head off road, not that the Infinity is an off-roader, then you’ll find it does function well on grass and soft trails. It’ll also fend off a bit of mud too. The Schwalbe tyres, though definitely of the road variety, actually seemed to deliver decent grip on wet grass.

Although Volt e-bikes have sizeable price tags the overall feel is certainly premium based on our short time with the Infinity. Volt has used quality components here, as witnessed by the tried-and-tested Shimano core running gear.

The Sony battery is reportedly good for 1,000 charge/discharge cycles and can be fully recharged in three to four hours. That’s fine for juicing up overnight if you’ve finished using it for the day, allowing it to be ready for the next commute or shopping trip.

Despite the valiant attempts to jazz up the Volt Infinity with a few subtle flourishes in the graphics department this e-bike does look a little understated. But that’s actually a good thing. Take some e-bikes into town and you’re soon being eyed-up by characters who can see the value in making off with your expensive new machine.

Rock up on the Volt Infinity though and you might remain unnoticed, which should hopefully mean you get to enjoy it for a lot longer than many e-bike owners.

• The best e-bikes: options for all cyclists and occasions

Volvo has never been cooler than right now. As a company, it appears to be in great shape and turning a profit. There are some great cars in the current model range with more to come plus big plans for electrification and, yes, even more safety features. Volvo has also pledged to end road deaths in any of its cars this year, so 2020 is a big deal, and the imminent arrival of the new all-electric XC40 Recharge SUV is getting the ball rolling. 

TechRadar visited Volvo Cars HQ recently, on the outskirts of Gothenburg and there was plenty to see. As you’d expect, there was much about safety, and quite a lot about electrification, but there was also the sort of Scandinavian quirkiness that makes the Swedish brand so appealing to many car buyers. Where else, for example, would you find a new car with an indicator sound derived from a twig breaking?

Jan Ivarsson, senior technical safety advisor, is something of a Volvo veteran having been with the company for over 35 years. Safety has, of course, always been a big part of the Volvo brand, but with electrification comes new challenges. It made the perfect place to start. Volvo, he told us, is pushing ahead with plans to make its electric cars safer than ever, despite the slightly different issues it presents them with.

A guiding hand

Walking us around the rolling chassis of the XC40 Recharge, Ivarsson explained that Volvo has been making a transition from working with protective safety towards cars with more collision avoidance functionality.

In the future, the company also wants to do more to combat people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That means the next generation of Volvo vehicles will have an advanced camera system installed to act as a countermeasure to unsafe driver behavior.

You could argue that anyone drunk or under the influence of drugs might not be able to question their own judgement on driving proficiency. Ivarsson, however, thinks Volvo can be the connection for getting help.

“We would like to support the driver in that type of situation,” he says. “If needed, we will put the car by the side of the road. We’ll support you all the way.”

While safety is a given with Volvo, is this going above and beyond what is expected from legislation? “Since this is a new generation of vehicle types, I think if you look at rulemaking then this is an ongoing process,” Ivarsson says.

However, Volvo has the advantage of historical data, which it has collated for many years from collisions involving its own vehicles. “We have done that since the 1970s,” adds Ivarsson. “I have a library of different kinds of crashes, from fender bender-type situations all the way up to really tough ones.”

And, crucially, 2020 is the year when Volvo has committed to having no road deaths occurring in any of its cars. “That is our vision,” Ivarsson adds. “We have had this since 2007. This is the vision for our engineers working with safety.”

The sound of the future

Later, Volvo staff presented us with an even deeper dive into their ambitious plans for making its electric cars safer for people, not only on the inside but on the outside too. After walking through a labyrinthine series of corridors we arrived at the Volvo sound lab, where the XC40 Recharge has been given its own aural identity both inside and out.

Interactive sound designer Fredrik Hagman and technical safety expert Mikael Ljung Aust showed us around the facility and demonstrated their new ‘sound’. Recent legislation requires manufacturers to ensure their electric and hybrid cars emit a noise when they move, both going forwards and also when reversing. But the process of developing the right warning isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

The sound, or Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), has been tailored by Volvo to fit into its overall ethos. “There is a fear that electric vehicles, especially at low speeds, don’t make enough sound in order to be heard in a city environment. Hence the legislation,” Hagman explains.

There are some mild variations on the theme, but all three legislative requirements that cover the US, China and the EU require the sound to meet a certain level, frequency and pitch. “Overall the level is in the range between 40 and 60 decibels. The frequency must shift with the varying speed too,” Hagman says. 

The test vehicle on show (an XC90) has got one speaker hidden under the front end of the car and another at the rear, in order to push the warning sound downwards and circulate it around the vehicle more efficiently.

The audible alert, meanwhile, has been produced with conventional studio software, which the team used to produce initial concepts. From that they tuned the sound to match different speed requirements.

Crucially, the next step was testing it out on users in the real world. “You can design it in the studio, but it's not until you get out and try it in the correct context that you get a vastly different appreciation of the sound,” Hagman says. “When you get rid of the combustion engine you get rid of the combustion engine noise, but there are still lots of other noises while driving an electric car. Tire noise for example.”

What has been produced is hard to pin down as we move outside for a real time demonstration. It’s a little like, as the engineers put it, a crescendo on a piano. It’s there, and you hear it, but you can’t quite put your finger on it.

Back to nature

For reversing, meanwhile, Volvo wanted to avoid the common-or-garden truck reversing sound that is unmistakable. Volvo has therefore come up with a neat variation on that theme, as it’s a rather lilting but totally noticeable tone that works a treat. It’s not so ‘trucky’, joke the audiologists.

With all the tech that’ll come with the new Volvo XC40 Recharge, including its unmistakable ‘sound’ the team have also stuck with the underlying earthy vibe often associated with the brand. 

“We’ve approached the interior design with a more ecological approach,” says Hagman. “So, for the interior sound we designed it with a lot of organic thinking. For example, the turn indicator is actually a twig breaking, which has then been sampled.” This seems to align with Volvo’s  organic approach perfectly.

While we were visiting TechRadar also got a chance to have a test track session in the new Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5. Granted, it was only a few laps but we got a good impression from the taster experience.

And, when the new all-electric Recharge SUV hits our roads in the coming months it’s good to know you’ll be able to hear it coming: albeit in the low-key and very organic way that Volvo does best. Listen carefully, and you may even hear a twig break…

• Self-driving cars: your complete guide

Last week, Toyota and its luxury arm Lexus hosted an event called Kenshiki Forum 2020 to showcase its newest models and potential creations of the future. It was a handy one-stop-shop in terms of getting to see (though sadly not drive) a diverse selection of cutting-edge cars.

'Kenshiki' is Japanese for insight, and we got plenty of that over the course of a day inside the darkened confines of an old industrial location just outside Amsterdam. For example, we got up close to Toyota’s hugely exciting GR Yaris, which has been developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Created on an a dedicated platform, the pocket-rocket features a new 257bhp, 1.6-litre three cylinder turbo engine and a lightweight all-wheel drive system. It’s going to be awesome.

Toyota also announced that it would be introducing a new compact B-segment SUV based on its Global Architecture or GA-B platform. Tech Radar got to see the basis of the platform, which will allow the manufacturer to produce a variety of models with different widths, heights and wheelbase lengths. It’ll be used for production of the new Yaris, but other models will doubtless employ it too given its flexibility.

From sketch to showroom

We also got to see the most head-turning car of the lot, the Lexus LF-30. It's not a production model, but as Ian Cartabiano from the design team explained, this concept isn't just an extravagant exercise in showing off, either.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen this car actually moving,” he commented after we watched it roll silently across the stage area in the cavernous warehouse where the event took place.

Cartabiano was clearly excited, and no wonder, because the Lexus LF-30 really fires up the imagination as to where electric vehicles might be in 10 years' time. “I really feel passionate about this car,” said the American designer, who’s currently based at ED2, the Lexus design studio that lies hidden in the hills in the south of France. “Three words define this car from the very start: brave, artistic, futuristic.

"To create this car, we used a new design process internally. Of course, we still do hand sketching, but for this car we used VR sketching, we used 3D polygon modelling and we did a lot of rapid prototype printing, as sketches.” To elaborate this point, he handed around toy car-sized models that emulate the same lines of the full-size concept.

The winds of change

There are many dramatic touches to this car, but one of the highlights has to be the in-wheel motors and the way the tyres and wheels have seemingly become one. “It's very sci-fi,” agrees the designer. “That's the first time that we actually were able to get spokes into the tire sidewall, so it's not fake. It really goes into the tire and the tire treads themselves were designed by Goodyear to guide air into the in-wheel turbines. So they're actually functional.”

Impressive though the wheels are, Cartabiano's favorite part of this car is actually the way the front wing has been sculpted. "As a designer, I must have taken about 800 or 900 photos of this,” he said. “I really love looking down the front shoulder of this car at the surface rotating and moving and going under the wing element where there's an actual opening for air to pass through. I love this shape. I love this form.”

Things are just as wild on the inside, as the door opens up to reveal a space-age interior. “This dramatic door opening is made possible by the carbon fibre structure of the whole car,” said Cartabiano “These doors only weigh 16kg. The driver and each passenger in this car get a unique seating experience. So the driver gets a performance cockpit; the front passenger gets a seating experience inspired by a first class jet cabin. The rear passengers have this active Zen lounge space.”

Staying with the pretty ‘out there’ thinking the designer adds: “The HMI interface was inspired by bringing the universe into this car. So, for example, above the rear passengers, there's something we call the sky gate.

Now the sky gate is an augmented reality navigation system inspired by the way the ancient mariners used to navigate the seas using the stars. It connects the rear passengers to the front passengers with their driving experience. It's a way to share the road ahead.”

The icing on the cake has to be the disc-shaped key for the LF-30. “I actually call this thing the soul of the car,” said Cartabiano. “In the future world of connectivity, this key will hold all your data that you wish to share and also your presets, or how you want it to drive. But, beyond that, it's a beautiful piece of jewellery. The designer who designed this used to design jewellery and perfume bottles for Dior. I really love this piece.”

Mirai image

Slightly less of-the-future but still facing the hurdle of a lack of refuelling infrastructure was Toyota’s new second-generation Mirai.

This hydrogen-powered dream machine is a treat to look at in an uncomplicated way with its simple, clean lines delivering an air of understated elegance. It’s a step-up from the original hydrogen-powered saloon that appeared in 2014 with its 20-inch wheels that carve up into the sides to great effect.

Along with fresh new styling, both inside and out, the Toyota Mirai also boasts an increased range thanks to the way three on-board fuel tanks have been incorporated into the design. Toyota says the increase is up by about 30%.

Meanwhile, the car is also said to be more responsive and handles better thanks to the more hunkered down design and higher body rigidity that comes from using a modular TNGA construction platform developed by Toyota.

The Toyota Mirai is an interesting creation and deserves to have the infrastructure to support it. However, with the UK as an example having just 17 hydrogen outlets at present, we’re not quite there yet.

Another interesting development also unveiled at the show was Toyota’s new Kinto brand, which isn’t so much a unique idea, but it could represent a neat twist on a concept that has been tried by other manufacturers with, it has to be said, mixed results.

Blending a collection of ride sharing, carpooling and leasing options Kinto sounds promising, particularly for people with increasingly diverse transportation needs.

• EVs explained: everything you need to know about electric cars

There’s no doubt that connected vehicles are the way of the future, as any number of initiatives from all corners of the tech spectrum illustrate. 

The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) for example, is a collaboration of vehicle manufacturers, tech companies and the telecoms industry that wants to come up with a more universal solution for our future mobility and transportation needs. Being connected is central to that.

Complex problem

However, this is a complicated and not easily solved issue. Standardising how vehicles, and indeed everything else from your household’s white goods to pets, prams and coffee percolators connect, is still far from clear. Whatever connectivity method is used, joining up the dots between vehicles, devices and people is certainly the way forward, particularly in urban areas where city populations are on the increase.

One example in the USA aims to tackle the urban issue head-on. The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) connected vehicle pilot is a great new initiative designed with making streets in the Florida city safer and much more efficient. 

To do this, the city has been working with Siemens to develop a network of wireless boxes or Vehicle to Everything (V2X) roadside units (RSUs) that effectively join up those dots between vehicles.

Connected tech

This network of 46 roadside boxes is so far linked to around 1,000 car-owning volunteers along with 10 buses and ight streetcars. It’s just one of a handful of pioneering projects in the US, including one in Wyoming and another in New York City, aimed at streamlining traffic flow and cutting down on accidents. To do this THEA is utilising vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication technology to make it all work.

The local authority signed an agreement with the US Department of Transport (USDOT) back in 2015 and the Tampa/Hillsborough Regional Expressway Authority (THEA) has been working alongside the Hillsborough Regional Transit Authority to implement the concept. They already had a solid foundation, after realising the benefits of all-electric tolling systems. The Connected Vehicle or CV project seemed like an obvious extension of that.

Dynamic warnings

For the Tampa project, CVs communicate using a two-way short-to-medium-range wireless tech called DSRC or Dedicated Short Range Communications, which is a bit like Wi-Fi. This doesn’t mean the car, bus or whatever it might be is automated or autonomous as the driver has full control at all times. However, it does mean the driver can receive a series of dynamic warnings on the go, including audio and visual indications for end of ramp deceleration and forward collision alerts, amongst others.

We recently got to see the pilot in action and it boasts a number of potential solutions, all of which are tied into the connected vehicle concept. City officials even closed off a portion of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway for us in order to illustrate the various facets of the project. There was even a police escort at the entry to the highway, just to deter anyone tempted to drive on to the otherwise deserted city overpass.

Congestion busting

Sitting in the back of a typically cavernous Chevrolet the team explained to us how the system had been designed with a number of objectives in mind. 

Central to this is that series of driver alerts, which appear in the driver’s rear view mirror as and when they get triggered. The first example to appear was after we’d driven up the highway and then back down the hill towards a sharp bend in the road. The team explained how the specially adapted rear view mirrors were able to flag up numerous warnings in their CVs.

Officials explained that this sharp curve, which ends at the traffic light-laden intersection of East Twiggs Street and Meridian Avenue, is prone to traffic congestion that builds up around the bend. 

To combat crashes the alert system automatically flashes up a warning to tell you if traffic is queuing and also to slow down for the curve. The best thing about this is the way the warning appears in the rear view mirror, so it’s pretty hard to miss or ignore.

Smart motoring

Similarly, going the wrong way on roads is surprisingly more common than you might think, especially in America it seems. This issue is potentially compounded in Tampa where the city has employed a reversible lanes initiative (REL). Again, this is being employed in the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and it’s designed to make optimum use of traffic management. Lanes are switched around during different times of the day in order to increase traffic flow during rush hour commutes.

This is a very practical solution but not without its issues. The THEA connected vehicle pilot is perfect for addressing the problems of confused drivers going the wrong way. Using the connectivity of the vehicles and the roadside boxes drivers are warned of wrong-way drivers well in advance. City officials explained that this could be the way to stop accidents, with this stretch of road being the perfect test bed following a number of fatalities over the years.

Safety first

Another bonus of the system is when you come off the expressway and into town. City streets are full of people and not all of them are as conscientious at looking out where they're going as you are. As a result, the connected system adds another level of safety by issuing pedestrian warnings as you drive through the intersection and onto the urban roads.

However, the system is also useful for making traffic flow more efficient. Case in point is the TECO Line Streetcar System. This is an electric trolley service that runs between downtown Tampa and Ybor City. Safety has been improved in this example too, as the connected vehicle system flashes up alerts when lazy or distracted drivers decide to turn across the urban rail tracks in front of a tram.

More efficient

Better still, particularly considering just how long the lights take to change at American intersections, is the way the system can optimise signal timings. Having vehicles connected can also let drivers know when there are obstacles in the vicinity that they may not have otherwise seen. This is particularly useful at blind junctions and suchlike, where you might have no clue as to what’s around the bend.

And, with those roadside boxes working the lights more efficiently, you're not stuck at an intersection for three minutes when there’s nothing going the other way. All of which means you’ll get to your destination faster and, hopefully, in one connected piece too.

The Volkswagen Golf has been a huge hit over the years, with 35 million and counting sold so far. It’s still mighty popular with new car buyers who prefer their motoring experience to have a no-nonsense Germanic edge.

While the new eighth-generation model doesn't look that much different to earlier incarnations externally, the interior that has gained a lot more appeal if you love your in-car audio. Volkswagen has teamed up with Harman/Kardon and has developed a brand new audio system specifically for the Golf Mk 8.

What you get here is a small battalion of 10 high-performance speakers, including a 160mm subwoofer that has been packed into a 10-5 litre sealed enclosure for added bass boost. Meanwhile, the music gets pumped out via a 480-watt amplifier.

Distribution of the sound works a treat thanks to one 80mm centre speaker in the dashboard, four 25mm tweeters in the A-pillars and rear doors along with twin dual voice-coil woofers in the front doors. A further two 168mm single voice-coil woofers are also positioned in the rear doors, and music delivery gets additional help from the Fraunhofer Sonamic Panorama.

Consistent listening

With more of us listening to music in our cars that might come from a variety of sources, such as smartphones, MP3 players or USB sticks the level of inconsistency can be annoying at best and, at worst, distracting as you try and adjust the audio quality coming from your speakers on the move.

The Fraunhofer Sonamic Panorama helps to balance out any aural inconsistencies and boost the overall dynamic range of your tunes. Add it all together and the Golf Mk 8 should deliver one of the best in-car vibes available. And, with four core sound settings: Pure, Chill Out, Live or Energy there’s something to suit all tastes.

The new audio system in the Mk 8 Golf was just one of a raft of new products unveiled at a recent Harman Behind the Sound event in Munich. And, while manufacturers are attempting to lower unwanted noise inside our cars, audio systems excepted of course which are going the other way in terms of volume, there are other areas of auto manufacturing that need to become noisier. Harman’s HALOsonic is one such solution, developed to produce sound for electric vehicles.

Audio engineers at Harman were tasked with developing a system to help improve pedestrian safety around electric and hybrid vehicles. The result is HALOsonic, which uses external Electronic Sound Synthesis (eESS) to produce sounds from speakers at the front and rear of vehicles.

Cleverly, the eESS is able to actively control the volume and characteristics of the audio signal in order to give unsuspecting pedestrians a much better idea of the vehicle speed and proximity.

The eESS works by dynamically gathering data from the electric motor in the vehicle along with controls in the car, such as the pedal position, RPM and speed. Inside the eESS controller there are two modules: a Harmonic Generator Module and a Residual Noise and Sound Models Module. The former generates engine harmonics to produce a ‘basic’ engine sound. Meanwhile, the latter module boosts that with a natural characteristic to make it that little more real. The sound is then transmitted to the front and rear speakers on the car.

While it’s slightly ironic that silent, or nearly silent vehicles are being gifted ‘noise’ the idea makes a lot of sense, particularly in light of recent EU legislation that requires EVs to have an audible alert. There’s a neat addition to the system as well, in that eESS is capable of creating custom-designed engine sounds. That means manufacturers can tweak and fine-tune the sound of their EV or hybrid vehicle so that it’s carefully suited to both the model and brand.

However, you can’t help but wonder how soon these systems will be modded by enthusiasts to make their humble little electric city hopper sound more like a supercar. And, perhaps, vice versa.

Tailored sound

We also rather liked the slightly cheesily-named Personi-Fi, which has been developed to cater for a wide variety of musical tastes. Personi-Fi has been created so that everyone can create their own tailor-made audio setup. Using a dedicated Personi-Fi app, car owners can capture their preferred audio arrangement, complete with finely honed favourite flourishes and keep them for whenever they’re needed. That’s good news for anyone who shares a car with someone who has different a different taste in music. However, there are also real benefits for people with specific hearing needs.

Finally, and something that is a supplement to Personi-Fi, is Harman’s Virtual Venues. This is another new innovation from the audio specialist that lets you recreate the listening experience you’d get from a favourite or notable music venue. Within the app, for example, there are options to select revered locations such as Sydney Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera in New York or the Royal Opera House in London. It’s not just opera venues mind as Virtual Venues also captures the essence of smaller venues, such as jazz clubs as well as outdoor arenas.

Harman says that painstaking research and the development of new algorithms has allowed it to capture the magic of these venues around the globe. And, as a result, that magic can now be enjoyed either in your car, through smart home speakers, soundbars and even your own headphones too. Nice.

• Seven bizarre gadgets to expect at January's CES 2020

Concept cars are always a good bet if you’re a trying to drum up a bit of attention and get the crowds flocking to your booth. And, at Tokyo Motor Show this year there were plenty of them vying for pole position.

But while many of these weird and wonderful visions of the future are nothing more than designer dreams, Nissan was showcasing its Ariya Concept, which is actually a lot more developed than just being a funky creation on wheels. This is a car that could actually happen.

In fact, Nissan had two new concepts on display at the show, with the Ariya being presented alongside the IMk. This dinky little all-electric offering draws its main inspiration from the tiny Kei cars that proliferate Japan’s packed inner city streets, but adds a whole lot more inside the bijou box design.

While the shag pile carpet might not be for everyone, the IMk looks undeniably cool and would sit nicely at the compact end of the growing EV marketplace. The car is designed with Japan firmly in mind, and its main purpose would be for shorter journeys. Simple, but effective.

While the Nissan IMk remains a pure concept for the time being, its larger relative the Ariya, suggested company executives, is in a much more advanced stage of development. A crossover EV, which is set to feature twin electric motors, the imaginative new model has evolved from the Nissan IMx concept that debuted in Tokyo back in 2017.

The Ariya Concept revolves around the core values of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility thinking. As a result it would feature a host of new and improved technology with Nissan’s ProPilot 2.0 sitting at the heart of it all.

The beefed up package of driver aids would include the ability to enjoy hands-off highway driving, complementing Nissan’s already handy Door to Door Navigation. The much more sophisticated navigation system would benefit from a raft of cameras and sensors that cover a full 360 degrees around the car.

Meanwhile, your smartphone is meant as a key piece of the controls puzzle. For example, getting the car ready for your departure with seat position and heater controls adjusted before you’ve even got in could be carried out using your handset. There’s a party trick thrown in for good measure too. ProPilot Remote Park lets the car park itself once you’ve got out. Pretty useful if you’ve found a particularly tight space that makes getting out of the car itself nigh on impossible.

A celebration of Japanese design

Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s senior vice president of global design seemed particularly excited about the car as he stood in front of it. He explained that both the exterior and interior are meant to celebrate the Ariya’s Japanese DNA. It’s definitely got more attitude than the similarly-sized X-Trail for example.

The striking front end is dominated by the traditional grille-replacing ‘shield’, which instead of being a conventional affair hides a lot of the tech that makes the car tick including Lidar. Another high point, quite literally, is the way the interior can accommodate even the tallest of occupants, despite the fact that the Ariya has its batteries in the flat floorpan.

Based on what you can see from Nissan’s images, once you’re sitting inside that Japanese influence is obvious, while less immediately spotted aspects such as seats with thinner frames means that the car should feel roomier.

It’s all Japanese minimalism too, with a 12.3-inch display monitor that features haptic controls offering a definite air of less-is-more for occupants.

And, if you want a premium feel then you should get that too from the seat coverings, door trims and natural wood flourishes that deliver an almost living-room-on-wheels experience.

The Ariya Concept sounds like it might have performance to match those dynamic looks too, with CHAdeMO quick charging via a port at the back of the front wing a la the Audi e-tron. Dual front and rear electric motors should promise lots of torque and Nissan executives hinted that its capabilities could be boosted with handling tweaks pulled in from the inspirational and legendary GTR. Concrete facts and figures on the eventual specification are pending, but the Ariya does sound like it could be a very exciting prospect to drive.

Wild looks

It isn't just Nissan that has been busy on the design front though as several other flamboyant concept vehicles dominated the Tokyo Motor Show floorspace. Toyota unveiled its mad-looking e-Racer concept, along with the similarly zany LQ.

Meanwhile, Lexus also had a solid pop at creativity with the outlandishly OTT design lines of its LF-30. Next to that the Mercedes-EQ looked mild by comparison. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi had a pretty wild concept offering in the shape of a plug-in hybrid SUV called the Mi-Tech.

Elsewhere, the rather likeable Hanare from Suzuki brought the living room on wheels theme back to life and this oddball creation doesn't get hindered by the sort of silly accoutrements you get in regular cars. In the case of the Harare that includes a lack of steering wheel and driver’s seat. Whether or not you’d actually ever see one on the road remains to be seen, but unlike the Ariya that's concepts for you.

Suzuki also had another bright idea on its booth – the shapeshifting Waku SPO two-seater PHEV that can morph into a pick-up or van. Its less radical Hustler looked modest close by as it draws inspiration from existing Kei cars.

Away from pure concepts, Mazda took the covers of its first proper EV in the shape of the MX-30, which is far more sensible. That’s not to forget the loveable and out soon Honda-e too of course, which made the revised and hugely practical Jazz look slightly tired by comparison.

So then, lots of EVs, and one or two concepts that might actually make it into production…

• EVs explained: everything you need to know about electric vehicles

Nissan is keeping things nice and simple with the brand new Juke. There are just two model variants, both sharing what seems like a tiny engine for the size of the car. You can buy it with the one-liter DiG-T 117 horsepower six-speed manual gearbox or plump for a DCT automatic model with the same three-cylinder engine. That’s it. (Note that sadly the Juke is no longer available in the US.)

While the trim options are many and varied, the refreshingly straightforward powertrain options are welcome. You still get to give your Juke a bit of zing with those interior choices though thanks to Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna packages to choose from. There are also eleven new exterior colours and two-tone paint comes as standard. Sign up for a Tekna+ model and you’ll get chunky 19-inch alloys into the bargain.

Considering its size – it’s a smidgen longer than the outgoing model – the new Nissan Juke looks like it has the potential to be underpowered. But, while it’s only got that 999cc three-cylinder turbocharged engine, it’s much better than you might think. Way better than the older bigger-engined car in fact. We got to try our premium specification model Juke on city streets and mountain roads and, generally, it was pretty punchy.

Pleasingly agile

The handling feels pleasingly agile as you wend your way through busy city streets with our automatic edition having the benefit of Nissan’s ProPilot driving assist. That doesn't come with the manual incidentally. Hit the highway though, and you notice the steering become heavier when Sport mode is selected, done via a button down by the shifter. The automatic model we drove also featured the big 19-inch alloys too, which delivered an even loftier view from the accommodating interior.

Heading up steep and tortuously winding mountain roads was interesting, in a good way. If you switch the automatic gearbox to flappy paddle mode the Juke struggles a bit with all the activity as you flick through the numbers. Once you get the hang of it though the automatic is quite a lot of fun.

And, naturally, in full auto mode the driving experience is simplicity itself. That turbo delivers some extra puff when needed too, especially when you want to get past a rather more sedate fellow motorist.

Meanwhile, there’s quite a lot to like on the inside of the Juke, with a snazzy interior that features lots of quality materials, particularly in the premium Tekna+ offering. Ours had very lively Energy Orange accents on the dashboard, door panels and armrest, which we got to like the more we drove the car.

The ambient lighting around the gear lever looks good too. There are other cool styling touches, with an arrangement of bulbous vents proving irresistible to the touch. The front seats are also a very nice part of the package with our model feeling super comfy and all-enveloping. A leather steering wheel tops it off. 

Tech upgrade

But it’s the tech aspect that has been also been upgraded with Juke two. Opt for the higher-specification if you can and get the eight-speaker Bose Personal Plus audio system, which is standard from the Tekna model upwards.

Our car had it and the sound was decidedly muscular with two sets of Bose ultra-nearfield speakers incorporated into the front seat headrests. You can access controls for these via the seven-inch infotainment screen and, along with boosting bass and treble, it’s possible to make them deliver 360-degree hi-fi to everyone inside the car.

The infotainment system is also very decent. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus TomTom Maps and LiveTraffic. Nissan says that early in 2020 the Juke will also feature in-car Wi-Fi.

As is the norm, there’s also a supporting app that lets you keep tabs on your pride and joy, as well as being able to track your journey history and so on. 

However, it’s worth noting that while a base level Visia model starts at £17,395 (about $22,000, AU$32,000) you’ll pay over £25,000 (about $32,000, AU$47,000) for the bells and whistles Tekna+ or Premiere Edition cars. And, as a result, there are compromises on the lower-end editions, including the fact that Visia and Acenta models only get a 4.2-inch TFT as opposed to the seven-inch screen in the pricier cars. If you like lots of screen real estate you’ll need to pay extra for it.

Smart assistance

Nissan has packed lots of safety functionality into the new Juke too, with the likes of intelligent emergency braking featuring pedestrian and cyclist recognition proving handy around town.

We found it quite keen to get involved on our model, even when there wasn’t anything to get too worried about. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable commodity to have on tap. Intelligent lane intervention and warnings are similarly useful if you enjoy the feeling of a bit smart assistance while you drive down the motorway.

Models with the better Tekna specification get additional tech treats, including intelligent cruise control, the aforementioned ProPilot on the automatic along with blind spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert and the rather good Around View Monitor that delivers universal views of your Juke thanks to a 360-degree camera, plus more besides.

We should just mention the trunk because thanks to some deft restyling, which splits the taillights, there’s a wider opening. That means you get 422 litres of space to play with and easier loading. It’s impressive. The rear seats feel a little bit roomier, with some fine-tuning allowing greater headroom and definitely more space for those with long legs. All in all, and including the extra trimmings, the Juke feels like a solid package.

There won’t, unsurprisingly, be a diesel but the new manual Nissan Juke delivers around 45-47mpg, which is respectable though you’ll doubtless get less with the auto version. There’s every reason to feel that it could do at least as well as the original goofball Juke and, perhaps, even better. Not bad for an original idea that’s been around for a decade or so and got the ball rolling for the whole supermini crossover brigade.

• Everything you need to know about electric vehicles

Vauxhall’s new Corsa-e will likely make a lot of friends with impatient types who are open to the idea of an all-electric car, but lack the time or inclination to get its battery charged.

Why? It’s going to arrive in April next year with the capacity for fast DC 100kW charging to replenish the 50kW battery. The feature isn’t an extra either, and it could pull in a lot of people who would otherwise pass on the chore of having to charge a battery over popping into a filling station for fuel.

A five-minute pit stop or, potentially, many, many minutes as you wait for those battery bars to replenish is perhaps why so many of us have decided to hang fire on moving over to an electric vehicle. This is still the most frustrating aspect of electric car ownership and it’s mainly about the infrastructure.

Having a car that can be recharged promptly is therefore a definite bonus. And, with its perky recharging potential that could mean the Corsa-e could really hit the right note, assuming you can find a vacant 100kW charging station that is.

In real terms that means you’ll be able to get another 160 miles or so in around half an hour, which is admittedly very handy. Vauxhall also underlines that the Corsa-e boasts a 205 mile range, which has been ticked off via WLTP certification. The car will also come with a rather more sedate 11kW charger, which will get you charged at home in around 7.5 hours using a domestic wallbox.

Plug and play

Aside from that, there’s certainly nothing too revolutionary about the Corsa-e in the looks department, but Vauxhall isn’t really the go-to brand for controversial design lines. What you get is a pretty straightforward car with not too much in the way of surprises.

Interestingly, the Corsa-e will also be available as a petrol and diesel option too and, as a result, the charging port is where the normal fuel filler cap would be. Reversing into those annoyingly short-cabled charging bays when you’re out and about might prove to be the only option in that respect.

While that’s not a big deal it’ll be interesting to see if it provokes a reaction from people who prefer just to pull forwards in to a bay for a battery top up down at the shops. Another reason why, for example, the new Renault Zoe works so well, as it’s got the charging point in the nose of the car.

Elsewhere, while you do get some references to the fact that it’s an ‘e’ model, the Corsa looks conventional from all angles. The front and rear ends get the job done while the bit in the middle offers no nonsense access to the interior via four doors on the example shown here. The funky 17-inch alloy wheels on the press day example, however, delivered a much-needed sliver of excitement mind.

Premium touches

The overall impression is similar when you take a look at the interior styling. It’s a fairly meat and potatoes layout that will prove popular with the many people who like, and have bought the current best-selling Corsa.

That said, Vauxhall has clearly had a decent stab at adding in some more premium touches to spice up the interior, at least with its Elite Nav-trim model. The seating provides enough space for four adults and, as another bonus the car is surprisingly low down in that respect. Headroom isn't compromised.

Indeed, the battery seems to have been tucked into the bottom of the Corsa-e quite cleverly, meaning that the room on offer makes you soon forget you’re riding on a trio of cells in the floorplan. Out back, the boot space is thankfully big enough for your weekly grocery shop, which is probably the sort of journey the Corsa-e is going to be used for in many cases. We’d like to see how it fares with larger objects though, like a folding pushchair for example.

Vauxhall’s Corsa-e will sport a fairly robust tech specification too. As is the expectation from buyers now, the levels of features and functionality found on the inside are reasonably beefy. Apple Car Play and Android Auto, for example, are part of the package as is Bluetooth audio and wireless smartphone charging. There’s a 10-inch touchscreen display on the dash, which is pretty good on the eyes and allows access to options like your preferred in-car apps. The cheaper entry-level SE Nav model comes with a smaller seven-inch touchscreen. Active Lane Assist, meanwhile, is one of the key safety highlights.

Down below that the centre console has a neat shifter, which lets you select drive modes, with Normal, Eco and Sport options to choose from. While Eco unsurprisingly provides the leanest consumption of battery power Sport mode will let you tap into 134bhp from the motor. Battery power reserves will doubtless suffer as a result though there is regenerative braking to put some juice back in to those cells along the way. Eco mode, on the other hand, offers access to 81bhp, which is enough for pootling around town.

What the Corsa-e is like to drive, however, is yet to be determined as Vauxhall has so far limited most journalists to a passenger ride, most recently at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire. We first saw the Corsa-e at the Frankfurt motor show, where it sported Opel badging and it looked good there. The same can be said for its Vauxhall-tagged edition here in the UK, particularly the blue example in these photos. It’s not a head-turner, but we like the low-key lines.

The next step is to get behind the wheel and put it, and that speedy charging potential through its paces. Patchy charging infrastructure permitting that is. As for pricing then the base-level model will start at £26,490 (about $34,000, AU$49,000) after the UK government grant, so it’s competitive.

• Everything you need to know about electric vehicles

Driving an electric car requires a bit of forethought before you set off on a journey. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just different compared to a petrol or diesel-powered model.

Short hops aren’t really an issue, but longer runs can be trying and downright stressful if you’re running low on volts. You therefore need to factor in range considerations and what you’ll do with the time while you’re waiting for the battery to charge. The same goes for topping up at the other end if you plan on making it back home again. To be honest, it can be a bit of a pain if you’re not an organised type.

But Renault’s latest Zoe could help to put an end to range anxiety. The new and improved EV supermini comes with a more powerful 52kWh battery, which sees it enjoy a 32% increase over the older model’s 41kWh powerpack. It’s enough to do more than 200 miles. Getting the power to the road is done via a new 100 kW motor, although there's also a slightly tamer 80kw power unit on offer too.

Driving this particular battery-powered car is therefore a very relaxed affair. That air of calm begins with the welcoming interior, which features an array of plush new fittings, restyled areas including the centre console with its very cool drive selector and super comfy seats. The steering wheel is nicely trimmed too. It’s all a lot more upmarket than you might expect for a car that’s keenly priced from £18,670 (about $23,000, AU$34,000).

For the long run

However, the most soothing aspect is the aforementioned range of this great little car. Renault has done a fine job with the new battery, and as we found out on a lengthy, not to mention rather hilly journey recently, the Zoe is more than capable of taking you on a long run. Better still, it’ll get you back again with nothing to worry about.

Renault reckons the Zoe is good for 245 miles, and based on our experience of the car we’d say that’s probably pretty accurate. Before you get into the supermini though it’s immediately obvious where the car has been tweaked from an exterior perspective. The front end is perhaps the most noticeably different from the outgoing model. Well, not different as such, just carefully honed.

The changes are subtle but effective, with a more refined hood, cool embellishments to the grille insert and some funky looking LED headlights, which are complimented by slick new running lights. It’s enough to give the Zoe plenty of driver appeal, which is further complimented thanks to some tasty new colours, including Celadon Blue, the gorgeous Flame Red and a rather more restrained Quartz White.

Back to that fetching interior though and the trio of Renault Easy Life trim options – Play, Iconic and GT Line provide something for everyone. In a nod to environmental concerns Renault has used recycled plastics and sustainable materials for many of the internal components. In fact, the Iconic models even go so far as featuring upholstery that’s 100 percent recycled material.

We think the Zoe really benefits from the remodelled 10-inch TFT instrument cluster, which is simple but effective. You get a great real-time view of how the battery is faring while you drive. The 9.3-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash is worth exploring too, featuring as it does Renault’s Easy Link multimedia system. There’s also wireless smartphone charging on the Iconic and GT Line trim options via a pad down on the centre console.

We found the satellite navigation system OK, but it’s got a few quirks, which gradually evaporate the more you use it. Elsewhere though you’ll find Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Easy Connect apps that point you in the direction of charging locations. That said; we find that a quick scan using Zap Map is still one of the best ways of finding out where and when you can carry out your next charge.

However, as we’ve already mentioned, you certainly find yourself less preoccupied with recharging the battery on the Zoe. In fact, range anxiety barely reared its head during our lengthy day out, which took us from the sea to the hills and back down again.

Foolproof charging

The supermini handles OK too, with disc brakes all round helping it to stop, while going around tight mountain corners is great fun thanks to its reasonably balanced feel. There are three different wheel designs and sizes; 15, 16 and 17-inch, so you can personalize the experience even more. Overall the trim options seem to cater well for most tastes and budgets.

Journeys can be further embellished thanks to the all-new driving mode selector. Located in the revamped centre console, this gives you access to the B mode, which lets you enjoy the regenerative braking aspect of the Zoe. This also puts some goodness back into the battery as you head down those inclines. It works OK but lacks the fun factor of something like the e-Pedal in the Nissan Leaf.

Interestingly, the new 52kWh battery, which weighs 325kg, is physically no bigger than its predecessor. More usefully though: the Zoe now has direct current or DC charging alongside AC, though you’ll need to pay extra for that privilege. And, on a practical note, the Renault logo on the nose of the car covers the charging point, which means it’s easily accessed, even if you’re parked at one of those locations that have annoyingly short connecting cables.

If you’ve got access to a more powerful DC outlet then you can get around 90 miles back on a charge in roughly 30 minutes, which is more than enough to get you out of trouble. However, with that impressive new range and the Zoe’s overall capabilities, it feels to us like the new model will get you there and back again no problem. You might even feel happy skipping a top-up altogether during the journey.

There’s an additional range anxiety-beating comfort blanket too: Renault is offering a free 7kWh home wallbox for domestic recharging. While it won't offer blisteringly fast recharges it’ll be more than adequate for getting your battery back up to 100% overnight. That’s a real bonus and perfect for what this car is designed to do.

Deliveries of the new long range Renault Zoe begin in January 2020.

• Self-driving cars: your complete guide

The Honda e is one of the most exciting small all-electric cars to date and, at the recent Frankfurt motor show, TechRadar got a chance to get up close and personal with the cute compact. The last time we saw this car during Milan Design Week it was in prototype form, although to be honest not a whole lot has changed now that Honda has the ready-to-go version available for pre-order.

It’s been a long road to get to this point, and although the design seems to have been just about right from the off, talking to Honda staff at Frankfurt revealed that the car has had a bit of a rough ride thus far. It seems that Honda executives weren’t initially sold on a small electric car design for short journeys. However, pricing for the compact city car was unveiled at Frankfurt, with two different options to go for. So now the Honda e’s cards are firmly on the table.

First up is the base-level 100kW model, which will cost from £26,160 (about $33,000, AU$48,000), but the more appealing option appears to be the Honda e Advance, which has a price tag of £28,600 (about $36,000, AU$53,000). The extra money gets you a more powerful 113kW battery plus the benefit of additional technology not seen on the cheaper edition. Neither car is bargain-basement, but there’s plenty here to tempt buyers away from rival options like the forthcoming Mini Electric and the new Renault Zoe.

There’s plenty to like about the Honda e too, with an exterior that blends the retro styling appeal of the old Honda Civic Mk 1 with a smooth, stylish vibe that feels bang up to date. There are no frilly bits either; the Honda e keeps the styling simple but effective, and is all the more memorable for it. Pop out door handles are cool and reduce drag while the front and rear lights are very cool. All in all then the Honda e gets a thumbs up in the looks department.

Tech-laden

Prior to a closer look at the car – in particular its very interesting interior - we chatted with Kohei Hitomi, head of Honda e, and Mirai-Aki, head of connectivity, who both seemed relieved and suitably proud that the car is basically good to go. Mirai-Aki then went on to give us a tour of that interior, with the tech-laden dashboard being the main source of interest. It’s hard to miss for sure, with a central section dominated by twin 12.3-inch touchscreens.

At each end there are also six-inch screens that show you the view from the cameras mounted on the front doors. The Side Camera Mirror System replaces conventional mirrors and the effect is impressive thanks to the added benefit of having a normal or wide view on offer. While there’s a relatively conventional cluster of controls in and around the steering wheel area, the dashboard of the Honda e is quite a thing, It’ll be good to have a drive and see how it ticks in a real world scenario.

Before we got into the car to hear about its charms, Mirai-Aki also showed how you can unlock the car using your phone with the Honda+ app installed. It’s a similar story once you start getting acquainted with the Honda e. The car comes with its own Personal Assistant, which has been developed so that it can evolve as it becomes more familiar with your own personal preferences.

So, for example, say ‘OK Honda’ while adding a question or instruction and it’ll respond accordingly, with a combination of a vocal reply and something appearing on the screen in front of you. Mirai-Aki showed how good it was at telling us the weather, which is pretty basic stuff admittedly but there is lots more scope with the system and, says Honda, machine learning means it’ll get better the more you use it.

Elsewhere, the interior of the five-door car is pretty straightforward, with functional seat coverings and enough room for four adults. There are some faux wood trimmings along the dash, which provide another blast from the past, while the rest of the fixtures remind you of why Honda has such a good reputation for quality. Doors, most notably, close with a reassuring clunk.

A real aura of fun

While we’ve yet to have a go in one, reports of how the Honda e drives seem generally positive. Even though the little car is, in essence, designed as something to be used for short distances, you should be able to cover around 136 miles on a full charge. The Honda e also has the benefit of the torque you get from an electric motor with 0-100km/h coming up in a perky eight seconds.

The other benefit is that the car has a turning circle of just 4.3 meters which, combined with rear wheel drive and decent weight distribution, means it should be a lot of fun to drive. The stress of finding a space in pokey town centers will be relieved with a semi-autonomous parking mode, plus there’s a rear view mirror that doubles as a digital reversing camera. You’ll need to splurge and go for the Advance edition to enjoy all of the tech extras, including a Wi-Fi hotspot, but they’ll be worth it from what we’ve seen so far.

Honda needs a bit of luck with the Honda e; while it has certainly provided us with numerous exciting cars over the years, like the NSX, S2000 and Type R models, it's also endured lots of ribbing for producing slightly dull models.

The Honda e gives off a real aura of fun and, while it doesn't have blistering performance, feels like it should be great around town. A range of cool colour options should also ensure that you don't fail to spot the car, or indeed its grinning occupants for that matter.

• Self-driving cars: your complete guide

5G delivers super-fast connectivity that can be used for many everyday tasks and it’s the area where driverless cars are being developed that really fires up the imagination. Autonomous vehicles are currently being tested that offer distinct possibilities for the future, but will they become a part of everyday reality?

Everybody is getting very excited about the rollout of 5G. Faster connectivity and a wider reach of services will hopefully mean we all get a better online experience. 

However, 5G isn't just about speedier web browsing, quicker movie-streaming, lightning-fast gaming and improved communications at home, at work or on the move. 

In fact, 5G could be about to play a big part in the way we get from A to B, particularly when it comes to autonomous vehicles. Of course, driverless vehicles are already with us, and many can operate on their own. 

However, the downside is that there still needs to be a real person behind the wheel just in case. Legislation and, perhaps, a little nervousness dictates this, but will human intervention using the ‘just in case’ scenario be needed at all in the future?

A complicated process

Times have changed and so has the technology being used to provide a stronger backbone for supporting driverless cars. While 4G seemed like a big deal at the time it was never going to be much use in the word of vehicle autonomy. 

5G on the other hand, is offering car manufacturers an array of options for the evolving transport marketplace when it comes to connected and autonomous vehicles, or CAVs. 

It’s the rapid-fire connectivity of 5G that could lie at the heart of CAV development, although this will also be dependent on infrastructure in order to join up the dots. Autonomous vehicles, by their very nature, are heavily reliant on data and lots of it. 

This means that having driverless cars on our roads isn’t going to happen overnight. It’s a complicated matter, but the advent of 5G is certainly going to help speed up progress. 

Central to progress is, naturally, research and development. There are car manufacturers doing their own thing, and there are independent companies who are working on their solutions. 

There’s even a good degree of collaboration between manufacturers and the standalone businesses that can see the vast potential of 5G when used in the context of CAVs. 

Millbrook Proving Ground in rural Bedfordshire, England, is a great example of how the R&D is driving things forward. With its private but comprehensive testing facilities the location has long been an automotive testing hotspot where autonomous vehicles can be put through their paces in public road-like conditions, but in safety too. 

Currently the location is home to AutoAir, a 5G testing environment and, as mentioned above, it’s the direct result of collaboration. In this instance it’s been a team effort from the likes of McClaren Applied Technologies and the University of Surrey along with tech input from the likes of ARM, Real Wireless, Quortus Limited, Blue Wireless and Dense Air Limited. 

Alongside the owners of Millbrook, who’ve obviously got prime facilities to use as a testbed for all this research, it’s easy to see just how much effort is going to be needed to make 5G work as it could and should with CAVs. 

That said, a lot of the research is focused on urban areas, but if autonomous vehicles are going to have universal appeal then perhaps it’s not too much to expect driverless cars to eventually venture into rural areas also. The 5G Rural Integrated Testbed (5GRIT) is a partnership between SMEs and universities that is looking into creating better 5G infrastructure in rural locales, so it’s a distinct possibility.

Faster response times

In the case of AutoAir, the organization has set up a complex 5G network that uses an array of technical components in order to create the ideal testing environment. There are multiple masts and even more base stations that allow technicians to produce all manner of different scenarios, such as maintaining a 1Gbps connection at speeds right up to 160mph. 

Adding to the potential of this speedy connectivity is the way the system can utilize vehicle-to-vehicle or V2V applications. This is further boosted by cellular vehicle to everything (C-V2X) applications. 

The latter could be the magic ingredient in the development of 5G in autonomous vehicles because it helps join up all those dots we mentioned earlier. Not only will it be able to see what your vehicle is doing, it will also be able to check on other traffic, cyclists, pedestrians and update you on what the wider infrastructure around you is doing. 

The growing prevalence of Internet of Things devices will also mean that our infrastructure will improve to work in tandem with the data being driven to and from autonomous vehicles. 

This could actually be the way to even out traffic flow and melt away jams or bottlenecks. Connected traffic lights, for example, could talk to vehicles and vice versa. Similarly, the same could happen with street lights, road signs and, indeed, anything else that vehicles and their passengers need to be in touch with during that journey from A to B. 

With demand for vehicles growing and only so many stretches of tarmac to go around, city planners and car owners alike will have to make compromises. But, thanks to 5G, the level of compromise might not be quite as bad as some are making out. 

The low latency of 5G means that the responsiveness will be much more instantaneous, which autonomous cars will need to have in order to interpret sudden changes in road conditions and also where hazards occur.

Invisible-to-Visible

One interesting example of how 5G could take this a step further is Nissan and its Invisible-to-Visible innovation. The company unveiled its futuristic vision at CES 2019 and the concept offers up some fascinating possibilities. 

Using fast connectivity and augmented reality an in-car system will be able to monitor you and your surroundings to help flag up things you might be interested in, such as points of interest, places to eat and so on. 

However, the really interesting thing about I2V will be its ability to see around corners, and thereby alert you to any potential hazards such as obstacles in the road, passengers obscured by vehicles and so forth. Naturally, in order to do this effectively cars will need the sort of connectivity speeds that can ping lots of data backwards and forwards instantly. It’s going to be just the job for 5G in other words.

Similarly, Ford is working with Vodafone on connected vehicle technology that uses the power of 5G to warn other cars when emergency vehicles are approaching. 

Combining this with autonomous driving underlines just how excited we should be getting about the future and the potential safety benefits, not only for ourselves but for everyone else on the road. The data-driven experience isn’t just pie-in-the-sky fantasy either and forms part of a €15 million (around $16.8 million / £13.3 million) trial of connected car technologies and automated driving currently underway in Germany. 

Which brings us back to the speed and volume of data that is subsequently produced during all this. There’s lots of it being accumulated. 

Testing at Millbrook is routinely producing up to and sometimes over 4TB a day and, thanks to 5G’s capacity for handling such a high amount of information, the processing of data is much more rapid than it could have ever been before. 

Plus, due to the proliferation of smaller antennas that are dotted around the test facility, the coverage and efficiency is boosted while not having an unduly negative effect of the surrounding geography. Previously, larger masts would have been needed, while the new option is to have lots of masts, but much smaller and more efficient variants on the theme. 

So progress is being made – but it’s not quite there yet. Will we see autonomous vehicles controlled using the power of 5G in the very near future? Perhaps not, but as the teams at Millbrook and other test facilities around the globe are finding out, it will happen. It’s just a matter of time.

5G Uncovered, in association with Samsung, brings you everything you need to know about the next wave of connectivity - not just how fast it's going to be, but in just how many ways it's going to change your life. Our 5G Uncovered hub is carefully curated to show everything there is to know about the next generation of connection.   

• Mapping the world: solving one of the biggest problems facing autonomous cars