There was a time when only fast cars could do 100mph. Now, although speed limits haven't changed, only a handful of cars can't do a ton. This is one on them; it falls short by seven. But that's still 23 above what you're allowed to do. It means there's less chance of an automatic ban. It's like removing your testicles or – less drastically – your studs before playing football. You might not perform so well, but your chances of a straight red are considerably reduced. If you haven't got 'em, you can't show 'em (I'm talking about studs now, but you could say the same about testicles).
Top speed is not the only important less-than-100 figure for the Hyundai i10 Blue. This is the eco version (blue means green) of Hyundai's city car. It has a new one-litre engine which cuts out at the lights, low rolling resistance tyres and an alternator management system, whatever the hell one of them is. All of which means C02 emissions fall below the magic 100g/km mark. So the tax disc is free and you don't have to pay the congestion charge in London.
And just to drag out the less-than-100 thing to breaking point, this is the only sub-100g/km car that costs less than 100 x £100. It's still a lot more expensive than an i10 with a 1.2-litre engine (which is only £20 a year to tax), so it's probably worth getting only if you live in London, or if you want to feel a little bit smug and green (or possibly blue).
The i10's main problem is its appearance. To look at it's not interesting, or cute, or quirky or anything. "It looks like a little old lady's car," says my girlfriend. And she's right. So I get her to drive it. Well, she's a lady, she's not very big, and as she's no spring chicken any more to be honest, it seems only right.
And suddenly, when she's inside and she can't see it, she thinks it's brilliant – nippy round town, easy, light, precise, parks like a dream. There's room for four of us, we've got air conditioning and can plug in the iPod. And when we get to the big red C that signifies the beginning of the congestion charge, we simultaneously lower our windows (though they have to wind them down in the back) and give it the finger.
For the motorway, I take over. It's not that little old ladies can't drive on motorways, it's just that with all that fast-moving traffic it helps to have studs, if you know what I'm saying. And you know what, it's fine – maybe not a natural motorway cruiser, but then it's not meant to be. We reach 70 without major incident, and beyond that... Well, beyond that would be illegal, so it's immaterial.
Hyundai i10 Blue 1.0 Petrol
Price £9,600
Top speed 93mph
Acceleration 0-62 mph in 14.8 seconds
Combined fuel consumption 67.3 mpg
CO2 emisssions 99 g/km
Eco rating 8
At the wheel Dot Cotton (there's even a massive ashtray)
