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February 29 BREAKING NEWS: first glimpse of Lotus Project Eaglecj hubbard writes: Who press releases an email with a title like "First Glimpse of Project Eagle" at twenty-five to six on a Friday night? Someone with a sense of humour, clearly, as by first glimpse what they actually mean is this:
Yeah. That's what we said. It's all to do with the technology display Lotus is apparently going to have out at Geneva - displaying the various architecture and build techniques it's developing for its new supercar. The the fully built thing is scheduled to appear at the British Motor Show in July-August this year. In the meantime we'll just have to live with a few juicy details - including the fact that cold weather, and ride and handling testing is going on right now; the roof will be made of composite material (probably code for carbon fibre) and forms a stressed part of the whole (so no convertible, then...); and that the chassis is based not only on Elise/Exige/Europa technology, but also the Versatile Vehicle Architecture of the APX (Aluminium Performance Crossover) concept. This apparently makes it easy to customise and easy to repair... I guess we'll know even more by the end of Tuesday next week. But I for one am just please to hear the Eagle is actually (?) well on the way to being a production reality. --- Links: Preview: Geneva Motor Show 2008 New Ferrari bodyshop 'best in world'
Licence to thrill
Dan Trent writes:
Photo by cj, video by Dan Off to Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands yesterday to video two AMGs – the C63 and the CLK63 Black Series. Why there? Well, the fact the facility has its very own test track and wet steering circle for perfecting sideways skills was an obvious attraction. And with rear-wheel drive and lots of horsepower both cars were ideally suited for the task. It was just a pity the old ’ealth and safety rules meant we weren’t allowed to switch off the ESP on the track. Still, given our frankly pathetic efforts on the steering circle that’s probably for the best. The offer of a drifting lesson from one of the instructors needs to be taken up as soon as possible! To save our blushes (and stop us pranging the AMGs) M-B World also provided us with our very own tame racing driver, who – as you will see – very much IS allowed to switch the ESP off. If you fancy seeing him and his colleagues from the Silver Arrows Display Team in action they perform regularly at M-B World – see here for details. For now, here’s a taster...
Dan --- Links: First Drive: Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series First Drive: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows Display Team
February 27 Image of the week: would you like a flake with that?cj hubbard writes:
The other main reason I regretted not lugging my DSLR along to the Hyundai i10 launch was this (in defence of the poor quality pictures, it was incredibly badly lit):
Custom made by Andy Saunders - who I was lucky enough to share a table with over dinner - to highlight the i10's standard fit air conditioning, this is a fully operational i10 ice cream van.
We could play spot the car part here...any guesses where the back came from?
That number plate surround sure looks familiar, too...
The light-up cone is all the way from the States. Via eBay.
Sparkly pinstriped seats? Very American ice cream parlor.
This is Laura from the Hyundai press office, proving that the thing actually works:
The whole conversion was built in five weeks. Given the quality of finish, that would already be impressive even if Andy hadn't also been holding down his day job of running a garage and MOT testing station. Weekends and evenings were all the time he could spare for it.
The attention to detail is superb. That's the i10 boot release, retro-fitted as a third brake light.
Unsurprisingly, there were a few calamities along the way. Including the freezer, which was bigger than originally specified and would only go in the van after a hole had been cut in the floor. The van was then lowered down over the freezer using the MOT inspection ramp...
All the additional fabrication necessary to turn car into van also meant the i10 tail lights also caused a few headaches. Eventually they went in upside down. But not before the original pair suffered for the cause - one was inadvertently melted during some welding, the other got clipped (literally and figuratively) by an angle grinder. If the i10 hadn't been a brand new car getting replacements would have been less of an issue, but as it was there's now an otherwise pristine i10 in Dunsfold with a couple of bits missing... --- Links: Image of the week: holy sportscar (batman?) Fete-all attraction with the Hyundai i10 Andy Saunders Kustoms (This being his old website; a new one with the andysaunderscustoms.com address on its way)
WHAT!?!Just drove the C63 AMG home before we film it tomorrow. Was flicking through the various in-dash menus, as you do (the entire speedo lights up red to warn you you're about to hit the rev limiter by the way - very cool), when I stumbled across the miles to empty display. With a full (66-litre) tank, the computer calculated range is apparently 169 miles. Flipping hell. Fete-all attraction with the Hyundai i10cj hubbard writes: Right. I'm here to fill you in on the Hyundai i10 launch. The trouble is knowing where to start... I should explain that usually (and I'm not necessarily saying it's the case in this instance) when a manufacturer is a little worried about making an impact with a new car, the PR team often go out of their way to create an interesting and unusual launch. For the new i10 - which is the all-new replacement for the Amica city car - Hyundai had arranged not only an unusual hotel, but also a fairly unusual evening out. The hotel was actually the Gatwick Yotel - a sort of westernised Japanese business hotel, vaguely by the guy behind Yo! Sushi, and the other Yo! brands - completely rebranded the iotel for the event. Not often a hotel will allow that sort of thing, but it's a new chain and was happy with the publicity. The rooms are like little pods. Very space efficient. Somewhat like being in the set of Firefly. So small I couldn't even get a decent picture of my temporary abode using my compact camera (not the last time I'd regret not bringing my DSLR on this event).
The size of the room didn't prevent me from losing one of cufflinks, however. Which left me mildly irritated this morning - but only at myself. I would literally lose my head... And all that. Next point of note was the i10 parking arrangements. Hyundai had somehow convinced Gatwick airport to let it cordon off a large area of its short stay, £14.90-for-three-hours car park. I wasn't the only hack impressed at this feat.
Anyways, skipping the car (you'll have to wait for the first drive), let's move on to the entertainment. How's about this for transportation:
I have no idea whether it's a Routemaster or a Countryliner (opinions differed). But we could scarcely believe how fast the driver was able to hustle it along the country roads to the venue. I'm not sure we actually left the ground at any point, but it certainly felt like it on occasions. The gap back to the traffic behind either meant they couldn't keep up. Or it looked so frightening from the outside they were keeping their distance. Great - if faintly white knuckled - fun. The venue itself? Dunsfold Aerodrome, and the Top Gear hanger. And as if that wasn't amusing enough, Hyundai had turned it into a country fete for the evening. This is the MD of Hyundai UK cutting the ribbon to open the fete to us all.
Beyond the ribbon...was this little lot:
That's the i10 itself in the foreground. Not a bad looking thing really - just a shame the tall body manages to make 14-inch wheels look so small.
That's the pub. An inflatable pub. Called...
You'll get that if you know your old Hyundais. There were also "Stellar" beermats - the attention to detail and effort that had gone into this was really quite heartwarming.
That's the croquet pitch (field? lawn?), the coconut shy, hook-a-duck, and other stalls in the background. The line to the left is the start line for the welly wanging. (I'm not joking.)
And of course, the village sign... Also on display in the "pub car park" was an i30 estate, which isn't out yet (looks really good), and a new Hyundai van that isn't arriving here until much later in the year.
For some reason the van was in police livery, but was serving time as the cloakroom. Expect an eight-seater people carrier based on this enormous great thing in the not too distant future. A sort of budget Mercedes Viano, presumably. After a very enjoyable evening's fun and games (I won a Maglight on the hoopla...) it was back to the hotel. But the fun didn't stop there. The short, supplementary next morning test route took us to a lhama farm for breakfast.
No lhamas were consumed. And neither were any reindeer.
To use a sporting cliché, it's a funny old game sometimes... --- Links: Spot the difference. In more ways than one. (And yes, the i10 is better finished inside than the Grand Voyager - it starts at just £6.5K)
New Ferrari bodyshop ‘best in world’Dan Trent writes: A hectic few days on the road, encompassing Evos, classic Mercedes racing cars and – following a slight detour off the homeward M4 – a visit to a brand new Ferrari repair facility in the decidedly unglamorous surroundings of Slough. It wasn’t hard to pick out the Ferrari owners (flash suits, glossy millionaire mullets, sleek blondes in close proximity) from the journalists (jeans, trainers, scraggy beards) but it was fascinating to see the amount of work that goes into rescuing formerly prancing horses. Based just a few hundred yards from Ferrari GB’s head office, Bodytechnics is the first bodyshop in the UK to be given approval to work as an official Ferrari accident repair centre. The company has worked closely with Ferrari GB for many years now but, following a £1m investment and two years building a brand new facility, the partnership has been formalised as part of a programme to set up three official bodyshops to serve the UK’s Ferrari owners. No surprise then that this is about as far removed as it’s possible to be from the traditional under the arches panel beater and spray shop. Clinically clean and packed with the latest technology, there are three spray booths, eight ramps and specially lit areas to ensure the finished work is up to the high standards demanded both by Maranello and Ferrari owners. Bodytechnics even has its own fleet of low loaders, especially configured with extra shallow loading ramps able to take Enzos and other super low-slung models. Of course, fixing bent Ferraris doesn’t come cheap. We saw one 360 Modena on the chassis jig having suffered ‘major front end damage’, the repair bill for which will come to around £35,000. Of course, most of the work is far less dramatic but it’s nice to know if your driving ability can’t quite keep pace with your wallet there is somebody there able to restore your pride and joy to its former glory. Just don’t expect to keep your no claims bonus. Dan
February 25 Spot the difference. In more ways than one.cj hubbard writes: Early (ish) start this morning for a UK-based Chrysler launch. It was - as I'm sure many of you know - blinkin' freezing. I seem to be a in constant state of deicing just at the moment, although it is quite amazing to see the build up of ice crystals first thing.
Extra bonus points if you can tell what car I'm currently driving from that picture. I'll give you a clue: in monetary terms it's quite a far cry from the CL 65 AMG of this time last week (on which more shortly), but in some respects almost more fun. I did say almost. Anyways, up the M1 to Fawsley Hall in Daventry to greet the all new Chrysler Grand Voyager and a 'refreshed' 300C. Let's play spot the difference. Here's the old 300C (handily on site, thank you Chrysler):
And here's the new one:
Hmmm. The exterior changes are extremely minor - most of the upgrades are on the inside. Let's leave that lot to road test, and try an easier one. The old Grand Voyager:
And the new Grand Voyager:
Yes. Chrysler has managed to make it look much more like a van. Oh well. And as modern Peugeots jut at the front, the new GV juts at the rear...
It is full of clever stuff, though (although, not necessarily lovely stuff, perhaps to the relief of Skoda's copyright lawyers). For example, if you look at this photograph closely (click to enlarge), you'll see that each of the screens is displaying something different. There are even two sets auxiliary composite connections for plugging in different game consoles. The end of in-car arguments?
Also, Chrysler is immensely proud of its 'Stow n Go' seating, first introduced in 2004, which sees all of the seats able to fold flat into the floor. So much so that it's stuck this badge on the outside:
There's a new 'Swivel n Go' seating system coming. A coded message to car thieves as well? The holes the middle row seats fold into double as storage bins, holding up to 340-litres. That's as much as many small hatchback's can carry in the boot... We'll save the on-road impressions for the first drive, but in the meantime check out an example of the not lovely (unlovely?) stuff. This panel gap is right on the top of the dashboard, surrounding the unit containing the optional MyGIG infotainment system. Where everyone can - and will - see it.
It was the same on the driver's side. This, my American friends, is why Europeans don't think your cars are as good as theirs. On a brand new to market £25,000+ vehicle (the spec on the test cars was upwards of £30k) that is simply astonishing. A £7,500 supermini can and does do vastly better. Which is another clue to what I was deicing this morning. --- Links: A day in the life: from X5 to C-Class to Honda
Showing them how it’s doneDan Trent writes: Motoring hacks are a competitive bunch and track-based launches are always an opportunity to observe the driving talent – or lack of – exhibited by one’s fellow journos. And when it’s a feisty car like the new Evo X and you’re on a bespoke tarmac rally stage test circuit the pressure is really on to perform. We’re here at Prodrive’s proving ground in Warwickshire (an amusing irony, given that this is where Subaru rally cars are honed) and I’m just calming down after a session on the tight little test track seemingly designed to test your ability to hold down your breakfast as much as the finer points of chassis set up. With instructors on hand there’s plenty of expert advice on how to handle the new Evo on the track but for one hack this was clearly superfluous, the final corner (…the one where we were all standing and watching, natch) being dismissed in a series of smoky and dramatic four-wheel drifts. Not wanting to be outshone, one of the instructors leapt into another car and attempted to stamp his authority over the situation … and promptly almost span. Oops! Muttering something about the gearbox not shifting down when he wanted he made a sharp exit, stage left. The afternoon will see us out on the high speed handling track – a chance for honour to be regained perhaps? We shall see. Dan
February 22 X-cruciating?cj hubbard writes:
All photos by Mark Sims Despite all his complaining about the X5's fuel economy, Dan was actually quite taken with the beast. It is a thoroughly impressive piece of engineering - from the astonishing handling to the super slick automatic gearbox. News that there is an EfficientDynamics version on the way - producing just 169g/km CO2 thanks to BMW's new 2.0-litre twin turbo diesel engine and some hybrid jiggery-pokery - ensures that the X5 is bound to continue for a good few years yet. No matter how hard the efforts of certain parties to, if not outlaw SUVs altogether, then at least make them socially unacceptable.
Anyways, back to 'our' X5 3.0sd. It is pretty stonking, even to SUV unbelievers such as Dan and myself. That fuel consumption issue makes this particular version difficult to justify, but a more economical diesel is absolutely be something to consider if you're in the market for one of these.
However. One word of caution. You might be wise to invest in a pair of ear defenders if you're planning to become reliant on the parking radar. Especially when squeezing into a tight space. The system is all very well for avoiding those irritating little knocks and bumps - in fact the colour-coded contour display is perhaps the best solution available. But the noise the X5 emits when you're approaching an obstacle - it's barely short of aural warfare. Starting at a high pitch and getting higher as you get closer, by the time it reached its fixed tonal range - still well clear of what I was trying to get around - I was being driven to distraction to the point where I literally had to get out of the car. Not only to see if my eyes were deceiving me, and I'd actually hit the damn obstruction - if not somehow triggered thermonuclear war - but also because I simply had to clear my head.
If you manage to crash an X5 during a low speed manoeuvre with the parking radar engaged, well, quite frankly I salute you. It is a seriously determined deterrent. Of course, the noise is so irritating I wouldn't be surprised if most owners don't just switch it off. Plus, according to Dan, it doesn't actually activate at the front if you haven't immediately prior had the X5 in reverse. Perhaps best if I don't relate here how he knows that... --- Links: A day in the life: from X5 to C-Class to Honda BMW X5 gets stop-start technology The Bernard Manning of off-roaders
February 21 A day in the life: from X5 to C-Class to HondaDan Trent writes: A hectic day on the road yesterday – here’s the story in pictures! 6:30am
A misty and early start in London with our X5 test car to gatecrash the UK launch event of the Mercedes C-Class and – all being well – shoot the X5 too. 8:15am
Winter roads have left the X5 filthy so I pause en route to put yet more fuel in it (24mpg in a diesel!) and take the opportunity to run a jetwash over it. 11am
Six-foot-lots Mercedes PR man Rob Halloway kindly demonstrates the capacious boot of the C-Class wagon – cheers Rob! 1:30pm
Well we had to park the X5 somewhere while we went for lunch… 6pm
Having dropped the X5 off at the office (via another five visits to filling stations…) I take the train into London for a sneak preview of the new Honda Accord. It’s not a dramatic departure from the outgoing car but it has a bit more aggression and character about it – we’ll be having a closer look at Geneva in a couple of weeks. 6:30pm
Also there is a 2007 Honda F1 car, bearing the 2008 season livery. Rubens Barichello’s chief engineer Jock Clear tells us he’s cautiously optimistic about Honda’s F1 future – especially with Ross Brawn now at the helm. He says it won’t happen overnight but the team is highly motivated and – crucially – “all facing the same direction.” 7pm
Time to bid farewell to the Honda crowd and meet up with a contact from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre who’s in town with a Japanese journalist for a tour of MB World at Brooklands. Will he have the keys to the Gullwing with him this time? Let’s hope so… Dan --- Links: Notes from the road: a tale of two GTS First drives: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate (2007 onwards model)
February 20 Image of the week: holy sportscar (batman?)cj hubbard writes:
Plenty of choice for image of the week this week. I considered the new Ford Fiesta, for example, seemingly set to become the most aggressive looking supermini - ever. Or, if you want to go more exotic, there's always the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, unveiled earlier today (don't think it works well in white personally...), or the Corvette Z03 Concept. However, in the end I think a bit of good old fashioned American no-nonsense wins the day. This is an actual Lotus advert, as printed on the back page of a US car mag we've got in the office at the moment:
To the point, don't you think? --- Links: Image of the week: Phoo Action! Revealed: Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Revealed: Corvette Z03 Concept
Saab power...Richard Aucock writes… It was an outdoor press conference for Saab in Marseille. Cleverly, they projected gigantic slides onto the side of the hotel – new 9-3, turbocharger units, BioPower engines, green thinking and so on. Not sure about the green credentials of the 12 patio heaters burning away to keep us warm as we watched, but it was impressive all the same. I talked to one of the engineers responsible for the XWD programme. Turns out he’s a hardcore car nut. And what do car nut engineers do in Sweden? They work for Saab. Then move to Volvo. Then to Saab. Then to Volvo. Then… well, he’s currently back at Saab, and has worked in a tightly-knit team of 20 to develop the impressive new XWD system. It’s a real engineer’s solution. Don’t forget, this platform was originally designed as front-drive only – it was never intended to take a four-wheel-drive’s propshaft and rear differential. “If you look underneath, it’s really beautifully packaged.” Old-school engineering at work. He loves his cars, too. And, speaking of old-school, years ago, he brought an old 900 Turbo – “a real ****box to look at” he explained. But did it go. Particularly after his mates down in the engine division made a few, err, tweaks. “It used to devour differentials, half shafts and gearboxes – but it was very fast. It could do 100-150km/h, in fifth, in five seconds…” 60mph to over 90mph, with the flex of a right foot, so rapidly? Now that’s fast. Will we see anything like it in the future? He wasn’t saying, but did admit that 300bhp-plus engines had loads of appeal. A highly-tuned V6 turbo, then? “Well, four-cylinder engines are lighter in weight…” he volunteered. And we’ve already seen the BioPower 100, with a 300bhp version of the current Saab four-pot turbo. “Its hard to make a case for powerful engines with today’s green climate,” he said. But give it a green slant, courtesy of biofuels and who’s to say Saab wouldn’t justify it? February 19 Winter tyres and Chevy balladsIan writes... Before setting off in the new Chevrolet Aveo today PR man Craig explained over breakfast that I might hear more tyre noise than I would normally expect. Very honest of him, I thought, to point out the car's shortcomings before I even sat in it. However he went on to explain that the cars have come down from Austria wearing winter tyres, which weren't changed ahead of our press drives in the South of France. These tyres have deeper tread patterns, which produce more rolling resistance and are ultimately noisier than conventional rubber. They were a bit noisier, but it was the wind noise at speed and the lethargic engines that caused more disturbance in the cabin. Still, the noise of a jumbo jet on takeoff would have been more pleasant than having to endure the torture of the Chevy Legends CD that was playing when we got in (a cunning PR trick to mask the noise of those tyres?). Contributor Richard and I never made it past song one, the all-time karaoke favourite that is Dom McLean's American Pie. MX-5s really do rock!Dan Trent writes:
A couple of weeks ago we posted our buying guide to used MX-5s and waxed lyrical about what a great buy they are. Just in case you thought we made this stuff up out of thin air (as if!) this story was based on personal experience learned while helping my brother buy his Mk1 1.6 18 months ago. As ever when buying a used car going to see as many potential purchases as possible is vital for getting a feel for what’s out there – just as well there are loads around to choose from in the case of the MX-5. Highlights were a beautifully kept 1.6 at a bargain price. Just as well we did our homework though – as a late model it had just 88hp. Then there was the utter wreck of a car offered for a vastly inflated sum – the tracksuited Manc vendor assuring us “sure it looks a bit scratty but it’s a sound little car mate, sound.” Er, thanks but no thanks! Persistence paid off though and we ended up finding a real peach – a UK-spec 1.6 owned by the same MX-5 obsessed lady owner for the last nine years and offered with a huge pile of receipts and bills to prove a life of TLC. The price? £2,400! A wheel refurb, a little bit of welding on the sills and a few little mods later (air filter, strut braces, etc…) and the little Mazda hasn’t missed a beat, providing plenty of thrills along the way. It’s even inspired a friend of my brother’s to go and buy one of his own – and his experience has been just as fun! So forget the hairdresser image – the MX-5 is one of the most enjoyable and affordable ways to inject a bit of fun back into your driving! Want proof? Check out the video! Dan -- Links:
February 18 Caffeine InjectionRichard Aucock writes: Four cars (indeed, four BRANDS) in one launch is, as far as I’m aware, a first. Currently, it’s two down, I’m half way through another (Saab), with the final one, Chevrolet, to complete tomorrow. But how do you manage such a logistical challenge? GM UK is doing pretty well so far, but today was a bit of a test: a morning doing Corvette, then having lunch, ‘forgetting’ all that and switching into Saab mode. The programme is tight, too – I now have around half an hour in my hotel room, to get ready for the final stage of Saab, before we switch to Chevrolet. Still with me? Oh, and we’ve had to change hotels, too. Last night was young and funky, to fit in with the new Agila. Tonight’s place is urbane and understated, in keeping with Saab. Check out the art/funky lamp combo. Corvette, meanwhile, laid on all the fizzy pop we could drink – it’ll be interesting to see how the marketing chaps ‘brand’ the Chevrolet day tomorrow… But my next challenge is sat opposite me. The monster, four-car press pack. Looks great, feels lush, but weighs an absolute tonne. Contained in that box is full model information on two brand-new and two heavily-revised models. With picture CDs. And technical information. Looking at it is like staring at a copy of War And Peace – with the challenge of reading it, in its entirety, before the day is out. That’s why the first thing I did as I entered my room was get the kettle on. Thank goodness for complimentary tea and coffee… --- Links: On track in the new Corvette Agila way to get across town
On track in the new CorvetteIan writes... It seems Paul Ricard in the South of France is a popular venue for manufacturer's to try out their latest high-performance wares. Just a week or so ago Dan was at the track, owned by F1 boss Bernie Eccelstone, to try the new Audi RS6 Avant.
This week I'm there to test the new Corvette C6. The circuit is billed as the safest in the world, and instead of the usual green patches of runoff, here you have blue and red asphalt, which is ultra grippy and, so long as you get on the brakes, will slow you down without colliding with the barrier. Well, that's the theory, but already Corvette has had a couple of cars that require a spot of panel beating. To limit the damage bill, we get a minder who sits in the car with us on each lap, while on the tight second-gear corner where a few people got it wrong, there is a mini chicane constructed of cones.
Away from the track, things remain slightly hairy; before setting off in the cars yesterday we were warned to lock the doors, lest our valuables be nicked. And it proved good advice for one fellow hack, who was approached by a couple of fiends on a moped who tried to open the doors at a red light. The Bernard Manning of off-roadersRichard Aucock writes:
All those with taste, decency and humanity will be pleased to know I refused to drive the Porsche Cayenne GTS that’s just left us. Right up until I became the luckiest person in the world, and was given the chance to go and drive, in April, a rather impressive-sounding BMW. For this, I needed a benchmark. Right. Deep breath. Apologies to Him above. Where’s the keys to the Cayenne… I don’t mind the regular Cayenne. Indeed, I took it on a track day at Donington, and it was majestic (particularly in the rain that saw the gravel Gods claim, literally, so many TVRs. I thought my number was up when the dreaded turn-in oversteer reared on one corner. But I opposite-locked, the Cayenne drifted a bit, then shrugged and yelped me up the circuit as if it were dusting a bit of fluff off its shoulder. A defining moment of miraculousness). The GTS, however, in the chav tan orange of our test car, is awful. It offends any sense of good manners. It’s the sort of thing Liberace would find a bit OTT. It’s hideous. And there was I, sat in it, grimacing.
I started it up. The exhausts barked, like a Citroen Saxo VTR driver does outside your house at 11pm, for no sane reason. Somebody, walking past, jumped out of her skin. The look she flashed me said it all, and would get me into a whole heap of censorship-related trouble if I related the general gist here. With resignation, I pulled back the auto shifter, heaved the weighty steering round and crept into the full glare of the public, looking to all intents like a mid-table Championship footballer on his way to another sunbed session.
Half an hour (and 26 miles, and two gallons of fuel less in the tank) later, I was back. In the office, I removed my sunglasses, beanie hat, jacket, false moustache, wig, false nose, latex mask and Noel Gallagher monobrow, and owned up. “It’s amazing, isn’t it.” It steers like a hot hatch, provides feedback and precision and involvement, has accuracy and composure, never wallows, always follows your instructions as quickly as you input them, sounds fast, is fast, has an organic effortlessness that never leaves you guessing and, in short, offers the purity and intimacy that completely contradicts the offensiveness it conveys to the outside world. It’s a fine artist who can hold a note and does lots of work for charity… who just happens to look like a reality show contestant. It’s a bit like a Bernard Manning joke. Bad taste, offensive… but strip back everything that’s objectionable and there’s not a little genius at work. Despite being big and ugly.
--- Links:
Agila way to get across town...Richard Aucock writes: You keep hungry journos from their food at your peril. So it was with a heavy heart that we all faced the news of where the Vauxhall Agila launch’s dinner would be: at a restaurant, downtown. A shuttle ride away. Cue everyone gnawing at the table legs. But even the most determined grazer forgot their stomach for a moment as we traipsed outside. For, in a moment of small brilliance, Vauxhall hadn’t laid on a bus for us – but a fleet of Agilas to ferry us across Marseille. Genius. My freelance pal Adam and I lined up, and were soon scuttled into the back of a blue 1.2. Relief from escaping the bitter French cold, soon turned to surprise – at the comfort of the high-set, supportive rear seat. At the cavernous headroom. At the acres of legroom and footroom we were enjoying. Roomy? You betcha. So, when you read about how roomy the Agila is in the back, as all the launch reports go to press, think of how all those journos discovered this. You may even feel the love shine through; it was only thanks to the Agila’s compact dimensions and tiny turning circle that whole minutes were chopped from the dodge through town, from hotel to restaurant, and relief… Oh, and how’s this for total randomness: you’ll spot on one of the pictures a French-plated Radical track day car, behelmeted driver tearing through town and swimming in the amazed stares that greeted him. For a moment, it was like being on a track day at Oulton. Only, from the unique perspective of the back of a new Vauxhall city car…
February 15 Cayenne: keys of mysterycj hubbard writes: Speaking of the Cayenne GTS, come with me for a quick guided tour of the keyring that came with it.
All photos by Dan I mention this firstly because if you look closely at the actual keyfob you'll discover that - awwww - it's been made in the shape of a little baby Cayenne. Porsche! We never knew you could be so cute!
Perhaps it's supposed to offset some of the hyper-masculinity involved with owning a hulking great SUV brute made by an out-and-out sportscar manufacturer. But on the other hand, most of the ones we see around here are usually driven by women. Anyways. The real reason I'm bringing these keys to your attention is this other strange looking dohicky:
Now, we're not entirely sure what this is for. Clearly, it could be some kind of additional immobiliser for the press fleet vehicles. Or perhaps a high tech tracking device, to make sure the GTS hasn't been surreptitiously slipped out of the country. But we rather came to fancy that it might contain the suicide pill. The one the press office instructs you take when you have to ring up and tell them you've crashed their £70,000 vehicle... Just a thought. On which note, I wonder what the £150k Merc we've got in next week will come with. It's own personal armed guard, perhaps? --- We didn't crash the Cayenne. But I did screw up its scheduled collection time. So I feel I should just point out that the suicide pill idea is in fact a joke. I hope. --- Links: In the car park: it's technicolour, baby
In the car park: it's technicolour, baby
cj hubbard writes: Dan snapped some pictures of our car park yesterday, inspired no doubt by the cheerful range of hues we have amongst this week's fleet.
Isn't he arty?
As you can see it gets pretty crowded here. Fortunately, the other businesses that share our building are not only used to us, but also incredibly tolerant. Rest assured however, that in this instance, the only cars we're blocking in are our own...
From left to right in the picture above (or grey to white, if you prefer), that's a BMW X5 3.0sd (the quick one, in other words), an Audi A5 2.7TDI (jaw dropping engine refinement, less impressive chassis and economy), that Porsche Cayenne GTS again, and the Renault Clio Cup. Full roadtests on all, soon. --- Links: Our car park: C63 AMG and Mini Clubman Clio Cup in the mood for mash? Notes from the road: a tale of two GTS
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