{"id":3057,"date":"2015-02-19T09:41:10","date_gmt":"2015-02-19T09:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenie.wpengine.com\/young-drivers-guide\/?p=3057"},"modified":"2019-05-01T17:01:10","modified_gmt":"2019-05-01T16:01:10","slug":"small-cars-big-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ingenie.com\/young-drivers-guide\/small-cars-big-technology","title":{"rendered":"Small cars, big technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

People think all young drivers putter about the place in clapped out little cars. And you know, we do tend to drive smaller cars because they're easier to run and insure. And park.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

But less size doesn't have to mean less awesome. As a 5 foot nothing girl, I believe this quite passionately. So here's 5 of the best small but perfectly smart cars on the market:<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Vauxhall Corsa<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\"vauxhallcorsa-14\"<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n
A firm favourite in the ingenie community, given a great big tech boost in recent years.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n

Category: driver assistance<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Traffic sign assist:<\/strong> This is the perfect thing for me - I am not very good at seeing, processing and remembering road signs. The system recognises signs (the speed limit, for example) and displays them for you on the dash. So no more 'I just didn't see it, officer!'<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Following distance indication:<\/strong> Your stopping distance<\/a> increases in poor weather, so you need to know how far you are from the vehicle in front. Vauxhall's following distance system keeps you informed of the avoidance time - so instead of trying to guess by counting the seconds between lampposts, your dash screen will tell you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Easy parking:<\/strong> With a camera on the back, the parking assistant works out the exact manoeuvre for the space you want. All you need to do is operate the brake and accelerator.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Citro\u00ebn DS3<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\"Citroen<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n
This may split the crowd. I personally think this is a fantastically good-looking car. There's been one parked outside my flat for a while, and every now and then I imagine it's mine. <\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n

Category: looks<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Roof customisation:<\/strong> The DS3 has an awesome two-tone roof that Citro\u00ebn describe as 'floating' because there are no roof supports to the back of the car, so it's all glass. There are also loads of different roof graphics available, from checks to leopard print.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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3D LED rear lights:<\/strong> These are coooool. The red LEDs are designed in retreating loops of light for a 3D effect. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

These innovative (and energy-saving) lights come as standard in all DS3 models and you can add Citro\u00ebn's super cool xenon headlights as an option.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\"3D\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Volkswagen Polo<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\"VW<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\n
The amazing Polo, which has been a top choice of young drivers for many years, had a pretty awesome tech update in 2014.<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n

Category: safety<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

Automatic post-collision braking system: <\/strong>Volkswagen say 25% of crashes involve a second impact, which can obviously cause severe additional injuries. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The new Polo has an additional braking system designed to react to the first collision and significantly reduce kinetic energy to avoid another smash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

City emergency braking:<\/strong> This handy laser sensor braking system means no bumper car action in the stop-start of slow moving traffic - it detects a risk and primes the brakes, ready to react if you don't.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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