A round up of today's other motors stories in brief...
BMW 7-seater seen in action
Once again we've spotted BMW's new 5-Series-based seven-seater undergoing tests. Contrary to initial reports, it now seems that the new car will not be a direct rival to the Mercedes R-Class premium people carrier.
Instead, the new BMW is more of a four-door hatchback format with a larger footprint and stance than the 5-Series.
It's still likely to offer seven seats, but the very back row will offer a choice of seats or bootspace and headroom might be more limited than on fully-fledged seven-seat people carriers, making it more of a rearseat option for children. A 2009 launch date has been pencilled in for the new car.
Ford's new Ka set for launch at the Paris Motor Show in October
Ford has released official images of its new Ka range, due for public unveiling at the Paris motor show in October.
The long-awaited replacement for the current model, which has been on the market for 12 years, this new model is built in conjunction with Fiat, and shares much of the same underpinnings and features of its 500.
The two cars will be built in Fiat's Tychy plant in Poland. All three engines from the Fiat 500 will feature in the Ka range: a 69bhp 1.2-litre petrol; 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol; and a 1.3-litre 75bhp MultiJet diesel.
Both the 1.2-litre and 1.3-litre diesel engines carry the lowest VRT rate of 14 per cent and motor tax of €100.
The delay in releasing the Ford is down to the time it takes to develop and build construction robots for the interior.
Backseat brawl syndrome kicks in after just three hours
Whatever about air travel with a brood of squabbling kids, at least there is in-flight service to look forward to. Travelling by car has no such perks and, according to a study released last week, "backseat brawl syndrome" (BBS) is rampant for those who decide to pack the kids into the car for the annual holiday.
Children last an average of just three hours and 15 minutes into a journey before they start poking each other's eyes out and elbowing each other in the ribs.
According to the study, 12 per cent cannot even reach 60 minutes before BBS kicks in.
The study, carried out by easyCar in Britain, reaches the conclusion that the ideal length for a driving holiday abroad is four days, before children turn into little war criminals as you try to negotiate maps and signposts.
Some 29 per cent of drivers surveyed said they managed fewer than three days on the road before tempers started to fray.
Thirty-four per cent claim never to argue when on holiday.
Despite the tendency for children (and adults alike) to squabble in the car, 69 per cent rated the car the least embarrassing way to travel - far more than the plane (7 per cent), ferry (3 per cent) or train (3 per cent).
Toyota Winglet to take on Segway
Toyota is to build its own rival to the Segway personal transport assistance robot.
Testing of the Toyota Winglet, which is operated from a standing position just like the Segway, is due to start later this year.
The Winglet allows the rider to change direction by shifting body weight, making it easy to manoeuvre in crowded spaces.Three versions are offered: one with front handles like the Segway and two others that support the passenger's legs.
Toyota aims to introduce robots for practical use in the early 2010s.
Toyota acquired Sony's robot business in March last year and it plans to double the number of engineers working on robots to 200 in three years.
The robot division has about 90 engineers now.