GPS helps beat fuel rises

SAT-NAV MAKER TOMTOM has unveiled its new Go x40 Live series with the first of three models which promise to help drivers stem rising fuel costs by providing information on the cheapest petrol stations on the route.

The new devices also promise better dynamic navigation by combining up-to-the minute traffic information and historical travel time information for every road, specified for every day of the week, at five minute intervals.

The High Definition Traffic will be available for the first time in the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The company is also working with Road Angel to let drivers warn each other about road tax speed cameras.

The company has even tapped Google to provide local searches, making it easier to find the nearest panel beater after you prang the car because you're playing with the new GPS too much.

According to head honcho, Harold Goddijn, this is all because "We don't want our customers to spend time in traffic if they don't have to."

To help avoid driving up someone's exhaust or into a pond while playing with your new toy, the thoughtful blokes at Tomtom have added voice command and control as well.

The three new units will be available in the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and Switzerland in the next few months, and will start for around 300 quid, but exact dates and prices will confirmed in the coming weeks.

The price will include a three-month trial period of Tomtom Live, after which subscription costs £9.95 a month. µ