RAY MASSEY: Take your seat in the Hyundai Inster
Hidden among rolling hills in Bedfordshire is a wonderful automotive facility that looks uncannily like a life-sized Teletubbies set.
But amid the undulating landscape of trees, grass and futuristic buildings, is a complex network of tracks where a wide variety of mainly camouflaged motor cars and military vehicles are secretly being put through their paces during development.
This is the world-renowned Millbrook Proving Ground, run by testing specialists UTAC. It boasts more than 30 miles of roads and replicates every challenge encountered by British motorists from bumps and potholes to a two-mile high-speed endurance circuit.
I was there for the annual driving jamboree of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), at which major car makers bring their newest models for journalists to test drive and share the latest industry news.
During my visit, I had the chance to drive Hyundai's funky and surprisingly spacious new four-door Inster, a mini urban SUV which has just been crowned best electric car in the World Car Awards. The Korean car is an affordable and roomy rival to Renault's R5 hatchback, with a higher roof and more headroom.
Prices start from £23,505 for the standard Inster 01 running on 15 in alloy wheels, £26,755 for the Inster 02 with 17 in wheels, and £28,755 for the Inster Cross.
There are two battery options: a standard 42kWh, and the longer range 49kWh which I drove. Accelerating from 0 to 62mph in 10.6 seconds, and with a top speed of 93mph and a 229-mile range, my Inster drives well, with sufficient punch up the hills, manoeuvrability on corners and spirit on the straight. I like its bright interior, with customisable door trim and up to 351 litres of boot space.
But my time at Millbrook also included a reality check, provided by SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. He warned that the Government must do more to incentivise motorists to switch to EVs: cutting VAT on charging, introducing a three-year halt on VAT on EV sales and providing more public charging points.
Hyundai's Inster is an example of the unprecedented choice of EVs currently enjoyed by motorists. But I can only agree that we will need 'bold support' from ministers to reverse the lack of public demand from private EV buyers. Without it, zippy cars like the Inster won't get beyond Millbrook's test tracks.
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