COFFEE has a unique power to make even traffic jams or the morning commute bearable.

And it perks you up wonderfully on a long tiresome drive.

In short, if you back yourself not to spill it, then coffee is the perfect companion when you’re on the road.

Now you can forget the thermos and lacklustre stop-offs at service stations because there’s a gadget to give you quality espresso on the go.

It’s called the Lavazza A Modo Mio Espressgo, it plugs into your car charger socket and costs £129.99, but is it any good?

The theory certainly seems sound. That is until you get into the car –a tired 2004 Ford Fiesta, for fact fans – and you realise how fiddly it is.

Obviously you shouldn’t make coffee while driving. Obviously. But it’s still a trifle tricky while sat in the car park.

You have to fill the little reservoir, pop in a cap and screw the top back on.

Then you wait, not for long, but a couple of minutes.

Then you have to unplug, turn it upside down, flick a stubborn switch, pour and flick the switch again before it starts spitting coffee at you as it empties.

Et voila, coffee in just a couple of minutes.

I’m sure that it gets easier the more you do it, but you certainly couldn’t (and shouldn’t) do it while waiting in traffic.

As a contraption for the commute, the logic of making an espresso in the car is lost when you have to sit and make it before you set off.

But it is just the ticket for multi-drop drivers or people making stop-offs regularly.

And if you like little, strong coffees and you’re off on a road trip then this is the kiddie. They taste bold and make the car smell beautiful. You’ll be buzzy for hours too.

By my reckoning, Lavazza is missing a trick by only including a car charger. Imagine if you could use it to make coffees when you arrive at the other end of your road trip.

The A Modo Mio Espressgo costs £129.99 at lavazzamodomio.co.uk and includes a starter kit, carry bag, sixteen capsules and a measuring cup.