BIG SHOW

Chinese motorists spoilt for choice

Move over, Detroit — the world has a new Motor City. As western car giants flirt with financial collapse, Guangzhou in southern China hopes to make itself a new global motor manufacturing hub — a wish that has been boosted by the opening of a huge motor show. Among 700 cars exhibited were 100 new models, and western marques were there in force, including Porsche, seen here touting the 3.8 litre 385bhp 911 Targa 4 in glass-roofed S guise. The Chinese price? Just less than £165,000.

BIG GADGET

Drivemocion

The maker of this device cheerily invites you to attach the Drivemocion LED display to your car’s back window, and its remote-control unit to your windscreen. You then choose one of five messages destined for the following driver, which is fine as long as you flash out the “smiley face” or “thanks” as you tootle around, or perhaps “sorry” after a clumsy bit of driving. However, you might find yourself instead favouring the “angry face” or “idiot” in the course of the typical British car journey, in which case it’s quite likely you will succeed in triggering an unwanted episode of road rage. It’s priced at £19.99.

www.gadgetworld.co.uk

BIG GIG

Simple Minds

Celebrating an impressive 30 years in the business, Jim Kerr’s stadium rockers embark on a string of UK gigs this week. In a night of unmitigated, Scottish-tinged Eighties nostalgia, the band will first wheel out Glaswegian popsters Deacon Blue, then play their 1982 album New Gold Dream in its entirety. It’s claimed that the Minds have influenced the likes of Moby, the Manic Street Preachers and even current indie raves Klaxons, so maybe there’s life in the old dogs yet. See them at Manchester MEN Arena on November 27 (tickets £35). They then play in Birmingham and London.

www.simpleminds.com

BIG DRIVE

Mini Cooper E

Los Angelenos tried out BMW’s new electric Mini last week, but only two at a time, as 5,088 lithium-ion cells replace the rear seat. The Mini E won’t sell, but will be exclusively available for US lease at a hefty $850 (£574) a month — twice the price of a regular model. Lessees will benefit from a fast recharging socket at home, claimed to juice the car in 2Å hours for 100 miles of motoring. The costs haven’t deterred carbon-conscious Americans, as 10,000 have already expressed interest in the 500 cars Mini will be making.

www.miniusa.com

BIG CD

Paper Trail, by TI

TI dominated the US charts over the summer, and even won the approval of Eminem, who said that these days he can only bear to listen to his own music — and TI’s. Recently, the self-styled King of the South rapper introduced electro influences into his sound, and the chart-friendly results include his collaboration with Rihanna, Live Your Life — last week’s second bestselling UK single on downloads alone. But don’t think this fine album is merely pop fluff — there are plenty of hardcore dancefloor fillers too.

www.trapmuzik.com

BIG GAME

Football Manager 2009

This season’s Football Manager has arrived in the virtual dugout and on high street shelves. The aim is to soak up a wide array of stats about real players then select a squad, after which you sit back and chew your fingernails over the games. The matches can now be viewed in a graphical 3-D format, which is only a partial success, but perhaps more useful is the assistant manager’s provision of tactical tips. Fans will love the updated player details, and despite being a glorified spreadsheet, the game remains addictive. PC/Mac, £40.

www.footballmanager.com

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