CARS REVIEWS: G-Wiz ELECTRIC DREAMS It may look like Noddy's chariot of choice, but the G-Wiz could be the real answer to city motoring. Over 500 miles to the gallon, zero-pollution, free andNO parking, London Congestion Charge-exempt and under £6,000 to buy, the new G-Wiz sounds like the environmentally friendly urbanite’s dream. If you have a short daily commute into work and do relatively low mileage trips with the family at the weekend the fully electric four-seater G-Wiz city car has much to commend it.  Top speed won’t reach higher than 40mph unless you’re going downhill with a following wind and leaning forward with your head and chin out like a ski jumper, but you’ll still get towork on congested roads about as quickly as a Ferrari. The process is more relaxed too. As racing people from the lights is a non-starter and the ‘slightly-second’ Daewoo Matiz looks make showboating unwise, you can get on with the business of getting from A to B without fuss.The quirky toy car styling makes onlookers smile too (especially kids). There are compromises of course. The seats feel like they’re stuffed with horsehair, offer no support when going round corners, and the non-powered steering and brakes need to be worked   This review in FQ MAGAZINE November/December 2004  >> more     hard. But you get used to it. It’s easy and almost silent to drive and the rear seats will easily cope with two kids and still leave a little luggage space for light shopping. The front one will take a child seat and there’s no passenger airbag to worry about. Fear not, the car is EU-approved and road legal and feels safe enough at the speed and road types it’s designed for. The biggest downside is the current car’s 40-mile range. Journeys need to be planned and recharging sorted after about 30 miles to avoid damaging the battery (though longer range ones are in the pipeline). Charging can be done at a normal household plug point although you’ll want to avoid casting out a hazardous extension lead across the pavement outside your house. A garage or workplace car park is preferable and many London car parks offer the G-Wiz free parking and charging points – with others set to follow. The twice annual service costs £350 but is easily offset by the ridiculously cheap motoring electric power affords. The battery comes with a three year warranty too. All in all, the G-Wiz is a wizzy non-polluting vehicle without reproach in an urban setting. Just make sure you’ve got a cool estate or MPV for family holidays when you leave the city limits and/or a fast sportscar for macho moments. You can overdo that ‘sensitive dad’ schtick, after all.   G-Wiz Price £5,899 Engine 13.1 Kw Top Speed 40mph 0-60 Don't wait up Economy 500+mpg* >> Read More FQ Magazine available now thoughout the country in all good independent newsagents including Tesco, WHSmith and Sainsbury's for just £3.25!