Dutch GPS company TomTom announced the impending release of its GO x50 series of portable navigation products yesterday, promising hands free calling and improved map and fastest route functions.

According to the company, the sleek looking TomTom GO 750 and GO 790 models will be available in the fourth quarter of this year at a yet to be announced price.

Both will feature the latest GeoSmart maps of New Zealand and will be hands free - a big bonus given the government's moves to discourage products that distract people while driving.

The GO x50 series models also incorporate TomTom's IQ Routes and Eco Routes technology, which use historical travel data to help drivers' cut down on fuel costs and speed up travel times. But strangely, TomTom is only promising that IQ Routes will increase travel times "in up to 35% of all cases". That may sound like it could actually slow you down the rest of the time, but TomTom's New Zealand spokesperson Georgie Stent said the IQ Routes application should never result in slower travel times than those achieved using a TomTom without IQ Routes installed. In short, the IQ Routes software should only result in good!

Other improvements will apparently include clearer voice directions and glitzier graphics, and the sleek new-look models should also look fancy sitting inside your car.

TomTom's marketing manager for New Zealand and Australia, Chris Kearney, said the new models "superb new design and interface" would ensure TomTom remained "the choice of advanced drivers who demand the best of their GPS".