The traditional motor industry is currently gaining a lot of media exposure, some of it not so favourable. Tricky western economies, have impacted sales, and century old companies are reviewing business plans in the face of rising fuel costs and the environmental lobby.

On the plus side, within the sector there has been a boom in the micro-city-car. No longer a poorly designed, poor relation to the ‘proper’ car, a visit to any major metropolis will highlight the proliferation of Smart Cars, Minis, small VWs and the hugely successful Fiat 500.

Themed Fiat 500 models are on brand and on market, the designers have kept this retro two door fresh over its current second generation, five year production run. Sporadically launching new variations aimed at different age groups and markets.

The Fiat 500 look is a good one, appealing to a wide audience, and the associated promotion on brand and funky.

Despite its ambitious pricing, the TwinAir model has been successful, partly due to its London Congestion Charge exemption status and low fuel consumption in the urban environment.

The micro-city-car will be one part of the transport sector which will continue to grow as lifestyles change.

Whether the Spanish development team are 100% on track with their folding car is to be determined. However, a passenger vehicle that can reduce in size in circumstances, makes sense and will become a viable reality.

For town and parking, the driver wants small and agile. For the extra-urban run a more stable and hence larger floor pan form of transport are necessary. A car that can adapt for both environments makes total sense.

Hiriko is a Spanish/MIT tie up and launches its futuristic vehicle this week via the EU, probably not the best endorser of innovation, but nonetheless giving a pan-European PR platform to this innovative project.

The concept is a good one, the passenger pod moving skywards on parking to reduce the overall length of the vehicle when stationery. Independent drive to each wheel makes the ability to metamorphosis possible. The front opening access door which encompasses the windscreen does not work so well and raises questions of access for the infirm and elderly. Overall the Hiriko is a move in the right direction and one of many which will transpire as fuel costs rise and space becomes ever more premium.

This week launching in the UK is the all new 911, internally known at Porsche as the 991. It looks… pretty much like all the other 911s from the last 20 years. Taking cues from the 993 and 997, it is a good looking car. But any innovations, are not in its looks. No doubt the classic design will prove popular with fans, but it is not the leap Ferrari made from the 355 to the 360, 430 and 458. There is no doubting the 991 is a Porsche, and sales will speak for themselves.

Today I have been with the capable Adrian, professional driver trainer at the Land Rover Experience situated in the Yorkshire Dales near Skipton. This is our third encounter. I knew the new Range Rover Evoque would be good on and off-road, Land Rovers are, but it far exceeded expectations. This car is a winner. It looks great inside and out. Featuring fun classy touches, such as an Evoque logo cast by the door mirror puddle lights, a tailgate which can open automatically to an owner’s pre-set height, a decent sound system from Cambridge based Meridian, and a good looking, easy to use satnav/entertainment console. The latter showing two different screens simultaneously to the passenger and driver, for example a map route and a TV show, on the same two view screen, at the same time, high-tech.

Having now driven a few Evoques, there is little to fault on this luxury urbane cruiser. If you are looking for something different which can carry a decent load in comfort, the Evoque has to be somewhere near the top of your list.

Friday was spent looking around the workshop and studying the excellent modification work being done by Twisted in North Yorkshire. Taking standard Defenders, Twisted builds bespoke vehicles to the customer’s specification. We particularly like the new but old looking safari style TD5 pictured above.

The French have always been naturals at motoring innovation and none more so than in the eco-motoring space. They are excelling with their greener and more efficient models available on the market today. Similarly, their upcoming new launches in the space are abundant and exciting. From the Citroen DS and before, the French have been automotive innovators. The latest concept from Peugeot above, as ever with this stylish manufacturer, looks and will for sure drive brilliantly!

A very good looking, new press advertising campaign for the second generation BMW One Series is shown above. As with the mk I, an urban bent seems to be the aim and theme for promoting the latest BMW One Series. To an extent, this car created a market, where once there wasn’t one. The premium mini-hatchback and saloon. Somewhere above the VW Golf and alongside the Audi A3, the BMW One Series has been phenomenally successful with both traditional and non-traditional BMW buyers. The rise of the plethora of smaller premium vehicles from all manufacturers, especially German, highlights the move to greener and more economical motoring.

This Audi concept car is modelled on the short wheelbase Quattro of the early 1980s. A champion rally car. The designers have done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the time and updating it for 2011. A game changer for Audi, the Quattro is iconic for anyone interested in cars and of a certain age. The smart money would be on this style of car being produced in one form or another by Audi. It looks absolutely amazing and will no doubt be highly sought after once in production.

Famed for its Victoria Beckham styling, the new Range Rover Evoque will be hitting our roads in four weeks time.

At this well organised preview driving event, customers and interested parties were invited to put the car through its paces. With next generation looks and sports car handling, the Evoque is for sure going to be a class winner. Watch out BMW, Audi and Range Rover. The Sport is looking OAP compared to this mini 4×4 cross.

Approaching August, we are now mid-season in the race calendar. Last weekend saw the ever growing Silverstone Classic, which is now Silverstone’s second largest event after the recent British Grand Prix.