Porsche unleashes its diesel drifter

Porsche's four-door Panamera saloon isn't to everyone's taste. Some people think its rear end makes J-Lo look under-endowed and that the styling doesn't work, although not all agree.

And its abilities as a cross-country express are undeniable, with 30,000 having been sold since it appeared in 2009. Now there's a diesel version which can still gallop to 62mph in 6.8 seconds and yet also returns better than 43mpg.

On the road the first thing you notice is that it doesn't sound like a diesel, thanks mainly to a new exhaust system. There's a pleasant, refined yowl as it streaks through its eight automatic gears, but it's a world away from diesels of old.

The cabin is sumptuous, with acres of two-tone stitched leather and various shades of wood, depending on the model. However, as on various other Porsches, the rocker switches in the roof-lining look and feel cheap. The front seats are comfortable and grippy and leg and headroom for the two rear passengers are excellent. Boot space is reasonable, although the load area is very shallow.

On a cross-country dash across the Scottish Highlands the car felt brilliantly composed on fast, sweeping roads, and its powerful brakes felt reassuringly effective. It's an easy car to drive quickly and smoothly, and with claimed fuel consumption of 43.5mpg it is a masterful mile-muncher.

Completing the 2011 Panamera range is an £86,476 Hybrid, which felt heavier and less nimble than the diesel, and a flagship Turbo S, with 550bhp and a £122,623 price tag. At £62,134, the diesel is expected to account for half of all Panamera sales, and offers an effective blend of good economy and sparkling performance. Thanks mainly to its 550 Nm of torque, the car makes a strong case for itself - despite having a big bottom.

Got the hump with other motorists failing to spot you on your motorbike? Fed up with rain seeping into your backpack when you commute? The Respro Hump backpack cover could be the answer.

It's a waterproof "jacket" that fits over the front, sides, top and bottom of your daypack, and that helps you be seen at night.

It fits over an existing backpack (15-30 litres) and fastens securely around its waist.

It works well on an ordinary backpack, less well on a specialised Dainese motorcycle backpack incorporating a back protector, thanks to its unusual shape, so check first.

It costs from £19.99 and is available from Infinity, Metropolis and Hein Gericke dealers. David Williams