CONNECTED DRIVE

We live in a connected world. Our smartphones, the apps and media within – there’s absolutely no escaping it. Cars were once a sanctuary, the only intrusion from outside being the radio, and that could always be switched off. Car makers have embraced our brave new connected world and cars are now an extension of our phones, initially a means of communication via Bluetooth, that connectivity now enabling wireless internet access, music streaming, data, navigation and more. It’s little wonder that alongside all these we’re seeing ever greater autonomous driving functions to take over while we’re endlessly distracted.

Now I’m no Luddite, but for me the best thing about being in a car is the distraction of the drive itself. The ability to navigate seamlessly is superb, and a vast selection of music is no bad thing either (nor, indeed, is a good podcast – try Road to Redline) – but even then, they’ll be switched off, or