Two of the UK’s world most renowned petrol-heads, Ben Collins aka the Stig and, Jodie Kidd, model and self confessed speed freak, were asked to take part in a short film which pitted themselves against each other in a head-to-head fuel efficiency challenge.

The films, created for the New Thinker’s Index – an interactive digital experience, aims to challenge the way people drive and think.

Both Stig and Kidd are used to driving at full throttle, but this challenge was to see which of the celebrity drivers could be the most frugal when it came to driving efficiently.

Top spot would be awarded to either driver who managed to curb their natural instincts to go fast and use the least amount of fuel throughout the race.

Jodie Kidd said about her experience: “Whilst it is great to sit behind the wheel and go hell for leather, this challenge needed me to think in a whole new way about driving.

“The New Thinker’s Index Big Green Race taught me a lot about fuel efficiency and how to affect it with my driving style, which is definitely knowledge that will be useful day-to-day.

Ben Collins agrees with his fellow petrol-head: “As a racing driver you can analyse and agree an approach to a race with your team before it starts because you have a good idea of the variables before you even get in the car.

Stig and Kidd are a part of a host of high profile personalities from a variety of walks of life who have been asked to challenge the natural way of thinking for the launch of New Thinker’s Index for Hyundai.

They include land speed record holder Richard Noble OBE, who was challenged to see if he could think differently and help a group of children increase their speed when they enter the Belchford Soapbox Challenge.

The series of short films look to prove that new ways of thinking are just as important and new technologies. There are also online tests, which will enable users to compare the way their mind works against great thinkers of the past; from sports stars, music legends and actors.

To see the films and take the test visit www.newthinking.uk.msn.com.

This is a sponsored post

Sponsored post: Jodie Kidd and former Stig go head to head in fuel efficiency challenge is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

Check out the video trailer below to get an idea of what Dunlop have on offer.

Over at the ‘Inside Racing’ YouTube page there are some cool videos such as a car stunt in a multi-story car-park in Bristol, insights into past and present racing legends and a look at landspeed records. It’s like Top Gear without the occasionally annoying presenting.

It’s worth checking out. If you’re a motorhead there’s bound to be something on there to keep you interested.

This is a sponsored post

Dunlop Launches Inside Racing Internet Magazine for Motor Fans is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

So is there a correlation between ‘Joy of life’ and the Megane? Watch the video below to find out. In some humorous scenes ‘Claude’ arranges a carnival in which Meganes can be test driven to bring out the hidden ‘Joie de vivire’ of Gisburn. Despite the rain 300 of the 500 residents of Gisburn turned up so Renault may have sold some more meganes since the campaign, I mean brought in some more ‘Joie de vivire.’ It’s certainly worth a look. The film was directed by Oscar-nominated director Henry-Alex Rubin, who shot 48 hours of film over five days and described Claude as a “French Borat with a heart.” Check out the video below:

And if you head over to www.themeganeexperiment.com you can check out the differences between Gisburn and Menton including Menton having been the location of a James Bond film and having no rich tea fans whilst Gisburn with no Bond film has 40% of its residents munching on the boring biscuits. You can also check out your own towns ‘Vivre’ rating and of course, book a test drive.

This is a sponsored post

The Renault Megane Experiment: Can a Car Change a Town? is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

According to them, “all too often inexperienced drivers give themselves away behind the wheel of a car, they lose their manners and sometimes their marbles too.”

So they’ve started a Facebook group where you can watch the videos from their brilliant add campaign and as the page suggests, click on ‘Like’ and support the ‘Respect on the Road campaign’ if you think the type of behaviour shown in the video is irresponsible and needs to change.

Along with the ‘Road Rage Kids’ videos, you can also check out ‘Cab-cam’ were a London Cabbie lets off some steam about bad driving.

This is a sponsored post

Respect the Road and Cut out the Road Rage is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

Sponsored: A cockpit. An engine. Two wings. Is this still a car? is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

The yet unnamed new car will be a lightweight, ultra-powerful mid-engined V8 supercar with a price tag of under £75,000. The car will have a 0-100mph time of under seven seconds, and will target serious track day drivers, while also being completely usable on the public road.

“Our new car will offer buyers performance and dynamics that they’d normally have to spend well over £100,000 to experience, but at a far more affordable price,” said Lee Noble. “It will combine simplicity, strength and agility, while its two-seat, closed body will ensure sensible levels of refinement for road use.

The development of the car began in earnest a year ago, and the first prototype, which will be used to validate the all-new chassis and powertrain, is currently being built in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in the same plant that produced all the M12s.

New Lee Noble Supercar Coming in 2010 is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

For the new Land Cruiser, Toyota has retained the body-on-frame construction that has always been an integral part of Land Cruiser’s exceptional off-road ability. Careful attention to the suspension design and NVH measures ensure high standards of on-road ride, handling and comfort are maintained.

In the UK new Land Cruiser is offered as a five-door model powered by a revised 171bhp 3.0-litre D-4D engine, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. Three equipment grades are offered – LC3, LC4 and LC5 – with seven seats fitted as standard on all but the entry level version (on which third row seats are an option). Customer orders are being taken now with first deliveries from early December. On-the-road prices range from £29,795 to £44,795.

Toyota Launch New Land Cruiser is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

Beaulieu Calendar of Motoring Events for 2010 is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

The Caddy Topos Sail design concept, based on the smallest model in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle van range, uses design cues from classic yachts and has its multi-functional roof covered with wooden decking surrounded by aluminium roof rails.

The wooden sun deck on the roof is accessed via four matching wooden and aluminium steps in the Caddy’s tailgate, and to complete the design theme there are wooden inserts along the side of the vehicle and in the rear bumper.

Other highlights of the Volkswagen stand demonstrate its strong heritage in leisure vehicles with a celebration of 20 years of the California camper.

Volkswagen campers became popular almost as soon as the Transporter van was introduced in the 1950s, and the California model was introduced in 1988 when the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter was in production.

With California conversions of the subsequent fourth generation of Transporter van and today’s latest fifth generation model, more than 80,000 have been sold, which must make it one of the most successful campers ever.

Today’s California was introduced in 2006 and is unique as it is now made by Volkswagen, who must be the only vehicle manufacturer to produce its own camper.  It is built to the same high quality standards as the rest of the range, and sold with a full three year warranty.

Concept – A Caddy with a Boat Deck! is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars

Why not share the fun by using the social bookmarking feature.

Here’s our Top 5 Stories

1. Hello Boss… er, it’s about your Ferrari -SHOCKED showroom driver Martin Bullen faced a tricky phone call to his boss after this £250,000 Ferrari went up in smoke…

2. Why are there no cheap electric cars? - Car manufacturers have put many billions of dollars and almost a hundred years into the development of the internal combustion engine…

2. The 10 Weirdest Cars of All Time - These are some of the most innovative and unique cars ever exposed to the public…

4. 10 Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure - Chances are it’s the price of gas, not auto insurance, that’s driving you to the poor house…

5. The Amazing Effects of Nitrous Oxide On Your Car - Nitrous oxide is more than just a chemical turbocharger, it’s powerful medicine…

Here’s our Top 5 Videos

1. 2008 Clarion Movie Feat Jay Kay

2. Top Gear England vs Germany

3. Becoming a Drifter

4. Semi truck tries to outrun train

5. CRISTIANO RONALDO VS BUGATTI

Round-Up of the Week (01/08/08) is a post from: Reviews 4 Cars