OVER 5,000 drivers are expected to take part in Opel's three day test drive which has made a comeback this month. The scheme, whereby drivers get behind the wheel of an Opel for three days, has recommenced after an initial successful stint, and will run until the end of June.

Potential buyers will be able to sample an Opel Astra, Astra Sport Hatch, Zafara or Vectra to find out essential questions such as engine performance in every day use, the suitability of the boot for large objects and, with driveways shrinking, how well the car will fit outside the front door. Opel's marketing manager Margaret O'Boyle said that their research from last year's programme shows that 84% of test drivers were more positive about Opel as a result.

The iniative comes as figures show that the Ford Focus was the top selling car in the January/March sales period. Toyota Corolla came second with the Avensis third. Other cars in the top 10 sales list are the VW Passat and the VW Golf.

VW excite with first Golf based Coupe in a decade

VW is working on a new model . . . an exciting Golf GTI Coupe. The new car could see the return of the Scirocco badge although many thought at the time it was just a Golf with a long bonnet.

This time around the engineers plan more excitement in what will be VW's first Golf-based Coupe for a decade.

The 2+2 Coupe will get a new chassis, have a rounded front and rear with a high glass sloping roof with hints that there will be plenty of room for four full-sized passengers behind the high waistline which is now so fashionable.

While the new model will share many parts with other VW models, the styling will set it apart. Apart from the roomy interior the designers have been given a brief to make the car practical for everyday motoring so a sizeable boot was called for.

The Coupe may be some time away while designs are being formulated and "nalised but VW hopes to be able to sell it at a middle of the road price . . . well below the price-range of Audi's new forthcoming TT model.

In fact there is speculation that the entry level engine could be as small as the 1.4 litre turbo-charged petrol version. The range is expected to grow right up to the 2litre 200 bhp engine used in the Golf GTI.

New Mercedes Benz E-Class packedwith hi-tech features

THE New York auto show gives a glimpse into the future of new models due to arrive here.

A restyled Mercedes Benz EClass sets about reclaiming the mantle of quality which the marque lost due to badly sourced hi-tech parts.

MB say there up to 2,000 parts are new or improved and that quality and reliability is now firstgrade.

Both the saloon and estate versions have more flowing body lines that fit in with the MB family look of the B, C and S-Class. Safety is an important area of development for MB and new head restraints plus improved brakes are part of the package.

Also some S-Class technology is included such as computers that close sunroof and windows, tighten seatbelts and re-align headrests if there is a hint of an impending accident.

Lights are now set to adjust automatically to cater for city and country driving and new brake lights will "ash with extra intensity during emergency braking to warn other motorists of problems ahead.

New suspensions will give better and safer drive appeal, steering has been improved and the engine lineup gives some of the power plants on offer up to 25% more power.