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November 27 Super shock from supercarRichard Aucock writes: MSN Cars had a team gathering last night, where we get together with the great and the good elsewhere within the organisation for a catch-up and a drink. Fine night was had by all. CJ and I had a train to catch though, so we hot-footed it to the Tube. And, lo, what's that suddenly to our left?
Yes - only the first example of Lexus' mighty, mega-money LF-A supercar in the country! Our double take meant we risked missing our train, but it's not every day you just so happen to see stuff like this. We gawped, we took pictures, then remembered: Dan here is off for a close-up of it today! So, for a fuller view on how it got here, and where it's heading after (plus some far better images), come back soon. Us two? We had to dash: just made the train, though... --- Share It
November 26 Bentley bus brings great charity cheercj hubbard writes:
Ok, I may have been a little hasty in declaring the Hyundai Morris Minor story cutest press release of the week on Tuesday. If this doesn’t stir some warmth within you, well, best change your name to Scrooge and think about cancelling Christmas.
The above Routemaster double decker bus belongs to St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice. The charity acquired it earlier in the year to act as a mobile fundraiser. Apparently it needed a bit of work, so for the past several months it’s been in the hands of Bentley Motors at Crewe. Yes, that Bentley Motors. It handed back the keys at 11am this morning. Fair to say, a few jaws at St Luke’s must have dropped.
59 Bentley workers have put in a total of 2,000 hours completely renovating the Routemaster, keeping as many original features as possible while adapting it to St Luke’s needs in quite remarkable Bentley style. The leather you see throughout is the same leather used in Bentley road cars, lovingly hand stitched with the logos of St Luke’s and Bentley. The ticket bin has been repurposed for donation collection. Completely custom-designed work surfaces are amongst changes to the remodelled interior, all specifically tailored to St Luke’s requirements.
Bentley Production Manager for the project, Gary Lazenby: “This has been a real labour of love for all those involved. Bentley staff are incredibly proud of the cars we produce but applying those skills to a bus was a totally new experience for all. We are very grateful to the many suppliers who provided materials free of charge to help make this iconic vehicle fit for a new lease of life.”
The Bentley Bus is called Luke, and will be touring the local area serving as a mobile charity shop, and education and awareness base for the charity.
Bentley has been associated with St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice for the last three years. During the recession-imposed factory shutdown in March and April this year, many Bentley employees chose to volunteer at the charity rather than simply rest idle. A make-over for one of St Luke’s fundraising shops, a rejuvenated hospice garden and now this bus are amongst the fruits of their labour.
Karen Burns, St Luke’s corporate fundraiser: “Bentley’s support has been invaluable to us over the past three years and we are astounded by our new community bus. As a charity we could only dream about Luke undergoing such a transformation. What we have is not only unique but is also a practical tool for us to share the St Luke’s story.” You can read more about St Luke’s – and even make your own donation – via the links. --- Links: --- Technorati Tags: Bus, St Luke's Cheshire Hospice, Bentley, Routemaster, charity, Offbeat News, MSN Cars, Inside Track --- Share It:
November 25 Hell in the aisle - UPDATED: actually, it's joycj hubbard writes: UPDATED: I'm eating my words here, as well as my lunch. Sainsbury's hasn't put in four self-checkout stations. It's put in 10. A triumph for technology over random grumbling. Or something... Post below reads as before.
Well, I think we can forget about popping out for lunch goods at our local Sainsbury’s ever again. They – it’s got to be a ‘they’ – have just replaced the six dedicated basket checkouts with four of those new self-checkout stations. So that’s two fewer of a system that invariably doesn’t work properly unless you use it exactly as its microprocessors dictate. Something that the person in the queue ahead of you probably won’t be able to do, making the system not just slower but doubly so. It’s chaos in there at the moment. What exactly was wrong with the old analogue – which is to say ‘human’ – checkout interface? I’ve been trying to think of an automotive equivalent. The closest I’ve got so far is Dan’s complete and utter loathing of electronic handbrakes, but at least these have a packaging advantage – and I suppose Sainsbury’s and A.N. Other supermarkets would say freeing the staff from the tills helps keep the shelves stocked; who cares if it comes at the expense of longer queues and more dissatisfied customers. Really, however, I suspect I just wanted to rant. --- Links: On track testing with the CG-Lock --- Technorati Tags: Sainsbury's, checkout, self-checkout, basket, customer satisfaction, Gadgets and Gizmos, Offbeat News, MSN Cars, Inside Track --- Share It:
November 24 Rescue a Moggie for charidycj hubbard writes:
And the prize for the cutest press release of the week goes to... Yes, I know it’s only Tuesday. Hyundai, as I think we all know by now, is doing brilliantly well out of the Scrappage Scheme. This has already seen the sacrifice of one Morris Minor (actually I think it was donated to a museum rather than destroyed, but it can no longer be used on the road); now another Moggie has been threatened by the scrappy’s crusher.
However, this time the owner of Chelmsford Hyundai, Bill Cook, has stepped in. Rather than see the Minor scrapped he covered the previous owner’s £2,100 scrappage allowance out of his own pocket, buying the car instead of condemning it. Now this 1967 1,098cc Morris Minor Traveller is being auctioned off, with the proceeds going to Children in Need. It’s on eBay right now, where you can even read an appraisal from The Morris Minor Owners Club - which has also been kind enough to donate a year’s membership to the lucky winning bidder. See, I told you it was cute. Well done, Hyundai. --- Links: Morris Minor Traveller auctioned for Children in Need --- Technorati Tags: Hyundai, Morris Minor, Traveller, Moggie, Children in Need, scrappage scheme, eBay, Offbeat News, Inside Track --- Share It:
Oi! Geezer! No!cj hubbard writes:
If the audience stats Dan dug up the other day are anything to go by, the three of us in this office are amongst a very select minority who appreciate BBC 6Music during the day. This, therefore, is a bit of an 'insiders' titbit. But if you happened to be listening to George Lamb interview the notorious Danny Dyer a couple of weeks ago, you will know that the gangster movie geezer had a Porsche Cayenne nicked off his driveway the night before. What a calamity. Well, fret no longer, good people. A press release from Tracker reveals that the company has found and recovered it. What’s more, thanks to the Tracker electronic tracking device fitted to the Cayenne, it was actually recovered in just an hour and a half. Whatever you think of Dyer, or indeed the Porsche Cayenne (or, for that matter, George Lamb), you have to admit, that is pretty impressive. Carry on. --- Links: On-track testing with the CG-Lock New Porsche racer walks ‘most ridiculous spoiler’ contest ---
Technorati Tags: Tracker, Danny Dyer, George Lamb, Porsche Cayenne, BBC 6Music, Gadgets and Gizmos, Offbeat News, Inside Track --- Share It:
November 02 More VW Group Audi recyclingRichard Aucock writes: I thought I was having a funny turn earlier today, when searching for images of the Skoda Octavia Scout. Lo, as I glanced - what's this 'ere Audi popped up in the results for?
You may indeed think it was a funny turn, or worse. That's clearly a Skoda Octavia Scout, which a second glance confirmed. But, check out the image of this 'ere Audi A6 allroad: You've got to admit, they're pretty similar, aren't they? Particularly as many of the original late '90s press fleet cars from Audi were all finished in silver, further accentuating the body-colour bits (and the mind games). Even the wheels are nearly the same! Skoda recycling an old Audi? I thought that was SEAT's role in the VW Group. Oh, and Audi's clearly aware of this. Just how different does the current Audi allroad look..? --- Share It
September 09 F1 star Vettel finally makes itRichard Aucock writes: No F1 driver worth his salt can call himself a true great until he gets a watch with his name on it. Sebastian Vettel may have won a couple of races, may be billed by some as ‘the new Michael Schumacher’. But really, he’s just been a pretender. Until now. Yes, Casio has launched a limited edition watch, with his name on it. The snappily-named EDIFICE EQW-M100-SV-1AER.
‘Show us yer EDIFICE EQW-M100-SV-1AER’, Lewis Hamilton may well be asking his old mate on the parade wagon this weekend in Monza. Seb, naturally, will oblige; take it off, hand it to Our Lewis, who’ll investigate it, turn it over, and note… Yes, Vettel’s signature specially engraved into the back. ‘Resets to the right time six times a day from radio waves,’ Vettel will tell him. ‘Keeps time for 29 cities worldwide.’ Hmm, Hamilton might think. What sort of an advantage could that give him? I thus wonder as to the chances of seeing Hamilton in Stevenage's H.Samuel some time soon, buying his own £350 Casio Vettel. After all, Vettel is (groan) a rival to watch. --- Share It
BMW's smart numbers gameRichard Aucock writes: BMW is holding an open weekend at its car dealers on 12-13 September. While not normally an event to stir our attention, the flyer promoting this event on the firm's website certainly did. Check this out:
Yes, that really IS a countdown ticker to the event, made up of BMW Series model badges!
Genius, or what? --- Technorati Tags: bmw September 07 The best button in the world?Richard Aucock writes: If you choose a Vauxhall Insignia with electronic adaptive dampers, you get this button on the dashboard.
How cool is that? Sport mode naturally means chequered flag racy; which, Braille-like, is faithfully represented here. Now that’s taking tactility to newfound levels… --- June 26 MSN Cars on Volvo's boatRichard Aucock writes: When Volvo invited me for a day on a boat, I naturally said yes. All these Ocean Race special editions made me curious to see the link to road cars; My gran also used to watch Howard’s Way, so I fancied trying the white deck shoe lifestyle.
I was to take part in the Round The Island race around Cowes. Volvo sponsors a huge sailing boat, and I was fortunate to snare a place. It’ll rock, I thought, as I stood in the cold at 6am, eating an egg roll.
Now, as I live in the Midlands, I don’t have that much experience of boats and water. So, climbing on was a step (on)to the unknown. Just time for a safety briefing – basically, shout and wave if we fall off – before the satisfying hum of the engine swept us to the chaos that appeared to be the start ‘gathering’.
Surrounded by boats, I had not a clue what was going on. Nor did I as masts were raised, sails were unfurled and engines turned off. We were off, I was told, at 7.30am. But, as these things are reliant on the wind, it wasn’t a water-swishing race away from the ‘grid’. More a glide…
What was causing our slow start? Reeds on the propeller. Which, as it wasn’t turning, was acting as a bit of a brake… soon sorted, mind, by the dexterity of crew member Henry.
Skipper for the day was a hero – Olympic silver medalist Nick Rogers. Despite the lack of wind, and fools such as we journos trying to help out, we (or he and the top crew) soon made up for a slow start by catching up with the boat that mattered – our rival Volvo yacht. A fascinating half-an-hour dice saw us eventually box them in behind another boat and sail past, to much cheers on board.
6 hours in, and I’d got a bit of a sweat on. Why? Because, for 4 hours, I’d been grinding. This is where you take up the slack from the ropes when the skipper decides to change tack (don’t you know). Hard work? You bet. Took two of us, and it really was pretty intense.
Mind you, at least they didn’t get me doing this.
There were incidents along the way – including a ‘minor’ incident with a rock hidden below surface. The other crew were playing it safe, by making sure sufficient depth was kept below the boat. Pah. We had an Olympic medalist in charge – so chose a route through the famous Needles that saw us in seriously shallow waters. It was very quiet on board at that stage…
Paid off, though. By the end, after around 8 hours, we were all shot to pieces – but, amazingly, had the same boat with a paid-up pro crew in sight! At the line, we were in the top 10 of all 1700-odd competitors, which really was a bit of a result. And, overall, with handicaps, we came 16th. Superb. And reason why, one day, I may just get into this sailing lark… --- Share It
June 10 Journo in sustained activity shock!Richard Aucock writes: This weekend, I consecutively swam 750m, cycled 20km and ran 5.4km. Trust me, this is far from just an ordinary occurrence for me. No, it was taking my place in the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon.
Sponsored and heavily supported by Mazda UK, the event has a sister competition in London. That’s coming up in August, if what I tell you here doesn’t completely put you off. Because, to prove that not all motoring journos are cardiac arrest case studies, Mazda roped in a load of us to take part, too. Now, I admit. Pressures of work and house-selling processes have seen my training program go to pot. Swimming, for me, takes time and commitment. Which, I just haven’t been able to find. That’s the excuse, dosed with a little reality – I prefer cycling and jogging so, given the chance, have concentrated on those. Far cheaper, too…
Thus, I haven’t been in the pool all year. So I was dreading the swim part, in the cold lake, at Blenheim. Sure enough, while diving in was OK, following a good pep-talk by Mazda’s guru (and a HUGE amount of top-notch preparation by Mazda UK), I soon discovered the error of my non-training ways. 350m in, I wanted to plunge to the bottom. It was hell. I can’t begin to tell you how agonised I was. But, wait. Oddly, it became less hellish from that point on. Indeed, the last 100m, I actually quite enjoyed it, in a weird way. Then, the real madness of a triathlon: run, barefoot, across Blenheim Palace grounds. Remove wetsuit on the go. Reach transition areas, put on helmet, shoes, glasses, leave timing chip in wetsuit and charge away on bike.
You probably spotted my error. I realised on the second lap of three. Helped my time, this, solely due to the fury I felt with myself. Really, cycling was painful, but not too overawing. Then, back to transition to dismount, retrieve timing chip, and run on the two treestumps that had replaced my legs. Shaky limb syndrome? You bet. I knew it was a stagger, but determination (and Gatorade) set in, and onwards for two laps round that flippin’ lake I went. Pain only momentarily heightened by seemingly running for ‘hours and hours’ – and then passing the 1km board…
Three days later, I reached the finish line. To, incredibly, cheers from Mazda UK. That helped me over the line, to my medal, more Gatorade, and handshakes with other sweat-drenched competitors. Final time? 1h 31m 16secs. Not bad, apart from the pitiful 19m swim time. That will be the focus of my training from now. Promise. Because, in two month’s time, I’m doing it again. For twice the distance. Eight weeks and counting… can’t wait, I lie…
--- Porsche puts journo through his paces May 28 Return of the mapcj hubbard writes: Once again…
Ruh-oh. Time to refresh all those old map reading skills. Or acquire some if you didn’t have them in the first place. It seems the United States’ Global Positioning System is possibly – perhaps – maybe – about to fail. And in case you’re not sure why that’s significant, pause for a moment and think about those three capitalised letter. That’s right. GPS. Get back to me when you’ve finished screaming. GPS – maintained by the US Air Force, which gives us the data access for free – is used for all sorts of clever devices these days, including your in-car satellite navigation. And apparently, in 2010, the number of great big beacons in the sky (that’s satellites, for the less dramatic) due to reach the end of the line might just drop the GPS service below the requisite level, and the whole giant technological shebang might just fall over. Oh noes. I say apparently. That’s actually exactly what it says in a US Government Accountability Office report that you can read the summary of by clicking right here. Point (3) in the second paragraph is what you’re looking for. Go on, have a gander. It does all rather hinge on the USAF failing to keep up with their scheduled “development of GPS IIIA satellites”, but when has a government body or organisation ever missed a deadline target, eh? Nothing to worry about, I’m sure. And speaking as someone who not only doesn’t own a portable satnav (discounting the frankly useless so-called GPS built into my Nokia phone) but has in fact actively discouraged any and all relatives from buying him one over the past several years, I really mean that. Just in case the rest of you want to know, this cheerful news was brought to my attention by the Tracker anti vehicle theft company. By way of a press release that is – I wager – attempting to avert panic amongst the subscribers to its security products by pointing out it doesn’t just rely on GPS to track and recover stolen vehicles. Oh no. It uses VHF signals and the GSM mobile phone network as well. Totally reliable, of course. --- Links: MINI owners: 5 activities if you miss MINI United ---
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May 24 MINI owners: 5 activities if you miss MINI UnitedRichard Aucock writes: MINI United is on NOW – and if you own a MINI, Silverstone is a must-visit. But what if all good plans go out the window, and you’re not able to make it?
You need to get your MINI fix elsewhere. How? Try these… Go on an economy run.
Wash it.
Listen to Paul Weller. Or the exhausts.
Investigate all its little details.
Take it for a blast!
Besides, there’s always MSN Cars’ extensive show review to look forward to… --- April 21 Focus on Ford's economyRichard Aucock writes: Had to snigger at this image from Ford. Of, the interior of the latest ST. I was ploughing through the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s rivals, you see, after being enthused by CJ’s first drive. And wanted to (randomly) remind myself what the Ford’s steering wheel looked like.
Very nice, it does look, too. But, peer more closely. See the display behind it? That’s a trip computer display for the 2.5-litre turbocharged ST. It tells you how economical the thing is. What does it say?
34.0mpg? What? Who’s been driving it – my gran? Worse still, me? Nobody but nobody gets anywhere near this economy with an ST. It likes a drink: period. What’s even more amusing in this image is that the car is started – and engines at idle kill fuel economy figures.
I’d be interested to know how such a figure has been generated. Because it certainly ‘aint through driving the ST at the speed its marvelous, marvelous chassis encourages… --- Volkswagen Golf GTI 2009 First Drive March 24 Bentleys get even saferRichard Aucock writes: What’s that? A Bentley fridge? Now then, don’t be silly. A Bentley fridge. Why, I did never hear of such a thing.
No, it’s a Bentley safe. For secure stashing of all your Bentley keys, and Bentley watches, and Bentley pens. Yours for a mere… well, it’s POA, actually.
But, judging by the quality of the finish, the action of the drawers, the lustre of the wood veneer and, yes, the fact it’s a blimmin’ Bentley safe, leads us to suspect that only those with sufficient cash to actually need one will be enquiring. --- Share It
February 23 Rubbish RoverRichard Aucock writes: Rover. It’s rubbish.
Yes, that indeed is a Rover rubbish bin, proudly cleaning up Coventry, and almost causing me to miss my rare opportunity to go ahead on the lights it's situated at. Talk about brand association. With marketing schemes like this, is it any wonder Rover is no longer around? Heavens, even this guy couldn’t believe it.
Memo for car makers: watch your brand association carefully… --- Everybody wants to be German!
February 15 New VW Golf is colourblindRichard Aucock writes: The new Golf shocked me. Shocked, I say! Everything you’ve read about it thus far will talk about how it’s a honed version of the old version, rather than something from outer space. Just as it’s always been with the Golf. That’s what makes it so good. That’s why it’s an European best seller. That's why I was so shocked to be shocked. See below.
Believe me, the effect, when I drove into a tunnel and the auto lights switched on, was 100 times more dramatic than that you see here. What? The dials. They’re white. The stereo display. It’s blue. What the?
As any Golf nut knows, the very reason 1998’s Mk4 Golf was so brilliant was its blue and red dials. People buy Golfs because of the dials: fact. So, why on earth Volkswagen has ditched that with this car – and, at the same time, introduced an alarming colour mismatch, baffles me. Look at this:
Just gorgeous. And lost on the latest. Why? The only reasons I can think are: --- Preview Drive: Volkswagen Golf This Transporter is the Business
January 14 Hair raising MercedesRichard Aucock writes: Looking at the shots of the interior on Mercedes’ new E-Class (glad to see they’ve kept the retro analogue clock)…
… I couldn’t help notice what funny hair this lady has:
Now, if ever she mused that she’d love a Cornetto at the hairdresser’s, then fell asleep… Official: New Mercedes E-Class E-Class styling direction...
January 08 2,323lb ft: Volvo announces world's most powerful truckcj hubbard writes:
Ok, ok, I know this Inside Track, not Inside Truck, and the blog for MSN Cars, not MSN Cabs. But Volvo has just announced "The Most Powerful Truck in the World". It's the above Volvo FH16 beasty, and as the big "700" graphics suggest it's got an enormous 700hp - for the first time ever in a "series-manufactured" truck like this.
But the power output has got nothing on the torque figure. Intended for the very heaviest of transport operations, the FH16 700 produces 3,150Nm of torque - that's 2,323lb ft. Roughly the equivalent of 29 1.2-litre Vauxhall Corsas, eight BMW M3s, or two and half Bugatti Veyrons. It could probably pull a block of flats over. The secret is in the FH16's "D16G" 16-litre, six-cylinder turbodiesel engine. I'll run that by you again: 16 litres, but just six cylinders. And despite the performance, it produces 40 percent fewer NOx emissions than the 660hp version it replaces, is Euro 5 compliant, and only requires an oil change every 100,000km, or once a year. 600 and 540hp versions are available, if you think the 700 is a bit much for you. Click the play button below for a fun (and short), musically accompanied promo video.
--- Links: Ford pictures that, just for you. Porsche announces time and place of official Panamera unveil; we almost certainly won't be there. ---
November 23 A SEAT at the VillaRichard Aucock writes:
I’d have to watch through a gap in the turnstile wall. Or, more likely, listen to it on 5Live. Then, SEAT called. Don’t fancy coming along to the Villa Man U game, do you? In the executive box we’ve got for the game? Ooh, I was all of a flutter when I put the phone down.
A week later, there I am. Peach of a view in a (freezing) Villa Park, box to ourselves, even a bit of nosh for good measure. It was a barely believable dream, and all courtesy, explained Jean and Scott from SEAT, of a sponsorship deal the brand has with Aston Villa.
More of that later. First, we all sat down for a pre-dinner feast. Normally, it’s chips for me at the Villa. It was today, too – just a bit posher.
Free programmes meant my collection would not go malnourished, either. SEAT gets a badge on the front cover of the programme, and snares a slot on the Villa’s official letterhead, as well.
The game? Oh, we were magnificent, of course. It was surprisingly close, seeing as Man U seem to beat us with depressing frequency. We were dodgy in the first half, but came alive in the second, had a few seat-edge chances and, of course, a stone-wall penalty shout.
But there was even more excitement as I floated past the player’s car park. So, SEAT supplies cars, aye? Well, yeah, there was the odd Leon in the car park… completely outnumbered by all the Bentleys/Audis/X6s/Range Rover Sports. Footballer’s cars? It’s no cliche.
This, I think, is England’s Gareth Barry’s RRS. Next to, yep, a Bentley Flying Spur.
That’s a Bentley Conti GT. In white. With what look like a set of 23”s. And an optional boot spoiler. Could only be a footballer. Oh, there’s a Leon there, too.
This is an Audi R8. But, hold on, who’s that at the front? Yes, it’s Villa’s Marlon Harewood!
Just to prove it, here he is, signing a few autographs. Your writer may have been holding a programme in his hand at the time. He couldn’t possibly say.
Marlon has good taste: black, with black carbon-fibre panels, and a sensible set of alloys. I also liked the way he let it warm a little before driving, anything but show-boatey, away. Top man.
That, on the left, is an Audi S8. Next to the security man with the hi-vis is Nigel Reo-Coker, and on the right, NR-C’s family. Hence him choosing the family wagon. He was blocked in a little by a pesky flying Spur but, as with Ronaldo on the pitch, he expertly disarmed the threat. Ahem.
Really, as Scott explained, I shouldn’t have been surprised not to see that many SEATs. The company, in all, provides 30-odd cars – for Villa officials, who use them in supporting the club’s community work. A positive tie-in for both parties, he said. ‘Of course, one football chief does drive a Leon,’ he added. Oh yes? ‘Karren Brady.’ MD of no other, but Villa arch-rivals, Birmingham City.
Don’t worry, I have forgiven him… ---
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