When you rent a car (lived in Germany for 4 years and drove to Czech, Italy, Netherlands, you name it) --get a model they dont have here in the US. There are some really fun vehicles to rent. Many have a sixth gear as well for high speed autobahn driving. Depending on the size you want smallest is a Smartcar.

My wife and I used to play a fun game when we'd get cars with the seat heaters. Actually she'd play and I was the target. When I wasnt looking she'd turn the seat heater on full bore and I'd sit there like a frog in a slowly boiling pan literally sweating my as* off until I figured it out. For her it never got old.

If you go to Paris have fun! Drink about 6 cups of espresso and hit the turning circles for full on combat driving.

Never drove in England though. Have fun!