Inside Track: Offbeat News

Man races Tube. Wins

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:09:47 GMT

cj hubbard writes:

As part of a promotional stunt to advertise the opening of the first ASICS athletics store outside of Japan, British Olympian triathlete Tim Don raced a tube train - travelling over ground and even stopping at red lights while the tube negotiated the Circle Line.

Don won. By 4 minutes and 13 seconds.

The idea was to encourage London commuters to try walking or running to work instead of playing their usual massed game of sardines.

Somehow, we don't think it's going to happen. Still, good effort though. Click this link for more details, and to watch the video.

---

Links:

ASICS - Tube Challenge

Volvo wind tunnel: comic relief?

Bookmark with:

Digg

Volvo wind tunnel: comic relief?

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:41:55 GMT

cj hubbard writes:

This is a picture of Volvo's new wind tunnel, which has been built to help save you money by simulating real world wind resistance conditions. This helps the company tweak its cars for the best possible drag coefficient, and therefore fuel economy and emissions.

Also, raises cash for charity (?) : is that the world's largest red nose, or what?

---

Links:

Ari Pattinen

Frugal fun from our Ibiza

Comic Relief

Bookmark with:

Digg

del.icio.us

Facebook

Newsvine

StumbleUpon

Ari Pattinen

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:54:19 GMT

Richard Aucock writes:

The return of Postman Pat has certainly roused you – but who’s noticed something else?

Yes, Pat’s well on it. Look at that lean angle! Look how he’s countering this by leaning into the corner! Notice, too, how Jess is doing the same! Clearly, the feline co-pilot is no stranger to Juha Pat’s airborne back-road exploits. The fact that neither of them seems to be belted in only adds to their high jinks.

Especially as Pat’s dialled in a front wheel angle that looks guaranteed to generate tyre-scrubbing understeer. Mind you, this doesn’t seem to tally with the amount of steering input he’s dialled in. Surely Pat hasn’t fitted an aftermarket quick-rack steering system to Royal Mail’s finest, so he can keep his hands at 10-to-2? It wouldn't surprise us. Those racing stripes look decidedly non-standard to us...

---

Links:

The name's Pat. Postman Pat

Bookmark with:

Digg

The name's Pat. Postman Pat...

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:03:05 GMT

Richard Aucock writes:

Postman Pat is back – and seems to have turned into the Royal Mail’s version of James Bond.

It seems the quiet life of Greendale wasn’t enough for him. Not even hare-arsing around deserted country roads, cat in tow, in one of Royal Mail’s finest diesel vans could save him from boredom. But salvation came, in the form of a promotion to the Special Delivery Service.

Because Pat now has an arsenal of gadgets at his disposal, including a helicopter, a motorcycle (with sidecar, naturally), a PDA and the run of a hi-tech new sorting office. The old smoker has also been traded, for an eco delivery van. Now we know why Special Delivery costs that bit more than Recorded Delivery.

The first episodes will be shown on the BBC this weekend. Indeed, Pat himself delivered the tapes, we’re told, in his new helicopter. And for the personal touch he holds so dear, he zip-wired down into TV Centre in order to get the requisite signature against a name (with it printed in block capitals too, of course).

We’ll certainly be reminiscing this weekend, when the new show debuts on BBC Children’s TV. If only to allay our fears that Mrs. Goggins hasn’t fallen victim to the latest round of Post Office closures.

---

Links:

Postman Pat [the official site!]

All together now: one, two, three, five...

Bookmark with:

Digg

Wall of sound Mazda innovations

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:54:07 GMT

Richard Aucock writes:

I recently attended a Mazda green tech event, where the firm revealed its eco aspirations. Interesting stuff, all. But, during a coffee break, my attention was drawn to one of the exhibition walls.

Here, it seems, was a list of all the great innovations Mazda's given to the automotive world. There's all sorts on there, and I certainly remember one from when I was a kid.

My dad and I went to the dealer launch of the MX-3, using this tiny V6. I can still hear its crrrrrrreamy purr. Fantastic. But there was lots of other clever stuff on show, too. Like clever cats.

Something else that deserves a comeback is the sunroof with built-in solar element. How logically smart is that?

But, as my eyes scanned, it started to get a bit tenuous. Yes, I know it's an important safety feature, but is the kid-friendly electric window switch really a ground-breaking innovation?

But top prize has to go to this.

'First car with an ashtray that opens smoothly'? Hmm. 'Mazda's invention of luxury feels for smokers!'? Double-triple-hmm...

---

Links:

BMW beats Audi

Exclusive? Mini's secret new model...?

Bookmark with:

Digg

Exclusive? Mini's secret new model...?

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:16:03 GMT

cj hubbard writes:

Spotted this in a well known chain of supermarkets - or at least: the Bournemouth branch thereof - last Friday. Do you suppose it's an officially licensed Mini product? Doesn't look like it to me...

For anyone who's interested, here's the feature list and specification (click photo to enlarge):

Other supermarkets (and knock-off Mini merchandise, no doubt) are available.

---

Links:

Official: Mini's new 4x4 concept

Ex-F1 world champion fined three points for speeding

Bookmark with:

Digg

Ex-F1 world champion fined three points for speeding

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:18:16 GMT

cj hubbard writes:

In an epic example of cosmic timing - the precise meaning of that will become clear on MSN Cars very shortly - I bring you the news that Michael Schumacher joins a long list of F1 stars past and present, and has been caught and fined for speeding in Germany.

The exact speed is unknown - German media says 140kmh in a 100kmh zone - but we do know he was docked three points, and fined 75 Euros.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Schumacher apologised for his transgression, which took place on a highway near his hometown of Kerpen: "I'm really sorry, it is out of character for me. Speeding is for the race tracks only."

He was driving an 'Audi Cabriolet'. An Audi Cabriolet? Let it at least be an RS4...

---

Links ( and appendix (?!) ):

Speeding Hamilton joins Fisichella, Button, Montoya... @ F1Fanatic

That's a reasonable list of other speeding F1 drivers - but one that fails to mention Nigel Mansell, Stirling Moss, Ayrton Senna and Rene Arnoux - the latter three you will find more about here:

Many F1 drivers have earned tickets @ espn.com

The above also references Jack Sears, who had an AC Cobra up to a reputed 190mph on the M1 in 1964; in those days the M1 was a semi-official (which is to say, not official at all) test track, and Sears was shaking the car down ahead of Le Mans. Classic Driver reckons it was 185 in '63, though:

185mph on the British motorway in 1963 - the real story from Jack Sears @ Classic Driver

And as we're talking Arnoux, we should also talk Villeneuve. And then all watch this clip.

Production line police car from Volvo

Bookmark with:

Digg

Production line police car from Volvo

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:06:13 GMT

cj hubbard writes:

Proving how important the UK police fleet market is to car manufacturers, Volvo has raised the stakes by introducing a new police variant to its actual V70 production line.

Yep, your discerning police fleet manager can now get Volvo on the phone and order what’s described as probably the first “Turn Key” police car ever available here. This means no more buying a standard V70 – although Volvo already offers a bespoke “police chassis” – and having all the necessary blue line bits added afterwards. This old procedure can, apparently, take “several months”; the Turn Key is ready to go straight into service 12-14 weeks from the date of order.

The requisite lightbar, the ‘battenburg’ livery, radio prep and wiring, and a master control panel are fitted as standard. But there is also an options list, covering all the latest in police-spec luxuries including VASCAR speed detection system, surveillance video camera - even a two dog cage.

The car has been designed and developed in association with the National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM), National Police Improvement Agency, Police Federation, and the people who will actually use the thing. This, and the speedy, straight-to-service delivery time all helps police forces uphold their Duty of Care commitments.

No word on the engine specification – petrol, diesel, and FlexiFuel are available – but just so you know, the cop chassis includes cop shocks, cop wheels, and cop brakes (to paraphrase Elwood); that’s special self-levelling suspension, reinforced alloy wheels that help with brake cooling, and enormous 17.5-inch discs.

Attempting to run probably isn't worth it.

The Volvo V70 Turn Key was unveiled yesterday at the NAPFM Conference in Cheltenham. The question is: can we get one in for a road test?

---

Links:

It's not an estate!

Caught by the fuzz...again!

First Drive: Volvo V70 (2007 onwards model)

Goodbye report: Volvo V70 long termer

Bookmark with:

Digg

Golf goes great shock

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:59:10 GMT

Richard Aucock writes:

STOP PRESS! The Golf has started! And sorry for my breathless excitement, but this is completely out of the blue. If you’re not aware, the saga of the Golf GTI wot I bought off eBay has been going on for a while now, the latest instalment being my mate Dunc zipping it over from the ex’s house to my folks.

And there, it’s sat. Because, you see, the immobiliser decided to do its job, grandly. Now, this wouldn’t be so bad, if I still had the remote for it. Which, of course, I haven’t. It was lost during its lengthy storage period, and nobody is owning up as to where the piece of broken plastic on the keyring lost its immobilising mate. This would be fine – I have the override codes. But our immobiliser friend, clearly brassed off at its enforced lay-off, was having none of it. Cue one Golf not playing ball.

Enter my genius of a dad: I cycled round for Sunday lunch yesterday, caught the end of a conversation between my parents, then heard something that had me nearly fall of my bike. “The Golf started, by the way.” SplutterWHATchoke?

Just that. He’d cracked it, connected the battery, tuned the key – and, literally, it fired at the first turn of the starter motor. Not just first time, but first crank. After, ooh, 14 months of sitting bone-idle. This is, frankly, utterly amazing. Thoughts of the famous Beetle ad in America come flooding back: here was a VW that did just as promised, despite the most inhumane (incarmane?) neglect possible.

I had to try it. Sure enough, it fired straight away. Stunned, I was. Of course, I can’t drive it – the MOT expired years ago, the tax disc is so faded, I can’t even see where it was bought – but for a few minutes, I sat there on the drive, revving away, in awe (look at that rev counter – it’s moving!). THIS is why I love MKII Golfs. And why the rapid acceleration of its rebirth is now determinedly underway. Watch, I do hope, this space…

---

Sorting an eBay accident

Bookmark with:

Digg

Lamborghini launches new media model

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:20:30 GMT

cj hubbard writes:

Ok, so if you are one of the lucky few who can actually afford a Lamborghini, congratulations. Seriously, good for you.

As for the rest of us… the Sant’Agata firm has apparently taken pity, and introduced “The World of Lamborghini” podcast…

Five episodes are available to download for free right now. Three of them are a little pointless, but the one on the Reventón is pretty good.

You know where to go…

---

Links:

How fast does that go, mate?

Lambo takes on jet fighter

Bookmark with:

Digg

Materia gets its groove on

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:31:37 GMT

Dan Trent writes:

Bless ’em, they’re only doing their job but when a press release arrives making liberal use of the words ‘groovy’ and ‘funky’ with regard to a new sales stunt to promote a car the alarm bells start ringing. And so they did when pictures of this loved-up Daihatsu Materia arrived in the inbox, courtesy of a dealership in Somerset.

The route by which Lynx Daihatsu arrived at their hippy-themed Materia is certainly … original. Apparently inspired by a YouTube viewing of the video Deee-Lite’s Groove Is In The Heart (perhaps somebody needs to break it to them this song dates from 1990…) the dealership followed the video’s psychedelic theme back to its source, thought about it for a bit, and then decided a hippy-themed, summer of love decal scheme would look great on … a Materia. Cue one brutalised little Daihatsu, flower powered up with a gurning hippy and the legend “Wow dude, it’s a MATERIA” in big letters on its slab-sided flanks. Hmm.

Now Somerset is of course the home of Glastonbury, druids flying along ley lines on slabs of stone and all that kind of jazz and Lynx Daihatsu is but a short hop from this centre of hippydom. But these days Glastonbury goers are more likely to rock up in Audi TTs and Winnebagos rather than knackered old VW love buses. As it stands the Materia is pretty cool and contemporary looking anyway and we’re struggling to see the connection with flower power, or indeed early 90s club classics. Still, it’s a fascinating example of cross pollination of pop culture and contemporary design. Or something like that anyway.

Dan

---

Links:

On test: Daihatsu Materia (2007 onwards model)

Image of the week: Hummer embracing your inner child

Bookmark with:

Digg

MPs blast ‘Nazi’ Citroen ad

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:47:44 GMT

Dan Trent writes:

Uh-oh, it looks like we weren’t the only ones to think Citroen’s ‘Unmistakably German’ ad was a bit misguided. Admittedly our criticism didn’t accuse the French firm of glorifying The Third Reich, unlike an early day motion tabled by SNP MP Angus Robertson, which reads:

“That this House notes with regret the stereotypes used by Citroen to market the new C5 as `Unmistakably German’, including imagery, symbolism and style reminiscent of the 1930s; believes this is counterproductive to the reputation of Citroen; and urges it to withdraw the advertisement.”

You’ll notice the motion doesn’t go quite as far as mentioning the dreaded N-word, although Robertson is a lot less squeamish on the SNP website. “This ad campaign is supposed to be tongue in cheek; however it features Nazi stereotypes and symbolism which are inappropriate and tasteless,” he says, continuing, “Quite why Citroen would want to be associated with a recreated German style and imagery of the 1930’s is completely beyond me. UK audiences are sadly used to lazy war-time stereotypes of Germany, but Citroen has made a big mistake with this campaign and should withdraw it immediately.”

Blimey. We just thought it would be nice if Citroen celebrated making French cars rather than wannabe German ones!

Dan

---

Links:

French and proud of it!

Controversial Citroen Advert in Firing-Line (Scottish Nationalist Party press release)

Bookmark with:

Digg

Time travel at £2 a pop

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:32:59 GMT

Dan Trent writes:

At just £2 a bundle I couldn’t resist. I mean, it’s not like I don’t already have enough motoring mags littering my flat. But the piles of old issues of Car offered a trip down memory lane I just couldn’t pass up. And it’s a journey of some significance too, considering it was reading these magazines that set me on the path to becoming a motoring hack in the first place.

And flicking through these old mags brought it all flooding back – I could actually remember reading some of the articles too, so intently did I pore over these pages at the time. Funny too that names in the bylines such as Richard Bremner and Gavin Green are ones beside which my own can be found on lists of launch attendees! Others are sadly no longer with us, including greats such as LJK Setright, Russell Bulgin and Phil Llewellyn.

Reading their features and columns is both inspiring and humbling at the same time – Bulgin the more accessible, Setright as obtuse and impenetrable as ever. There are some truly great features too, Bulgin’s ‘Thanks, but no thanks’ attack on the sacred cow that is the Porsche 911 standing out as an especially elegant piece of motoring journalism, ditto his assertion in a column in 1989 that “…the GP pitlane consists of turbo egos married to supermini intellects.” Brilliant stuff.

Just the tonic for a blustery easter weekend…

Dan

Bookmark with:

Digg

Thunderbirds Vira-go?

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:49:42 GMT

For some reason the news of this new car put us in mind of this.

Cynical? Us? No...

VAUXHALL’S ‘FIGHT AGAINST THE PROTOTYPE PAPARAZZI’

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:07:31 GMT

Dan Trent writes:

We all know car companies go to great lengths to disguise their new models and test them in the remotest parts of the earth in an effort to evade the spy snapper’s lens. But this elaborate game of cat and mouse is now an accepted part of a car’s pre launch hype – not that the manufacturers would admit as much.

But what if, horror of horrors, nobody actually snaps your new prototype. What if you’ve been just too effective with your disguises, your midnight motorway runs and your furtive forays at the Nürburgring. Worse than that, what if nobody actually seems to care?

Perhaps concerned its Vectra-replacing Insignia hasn’t been getting enough coverage Vauxhall has taken the unusual step of sending out a press release ostensibly explaining why test cars need to be kept under wraps. Due to debut at the British Motor Show in July, Vauxhall says ‘surprises only work if they are not revealed beforehand’, before going on at some length explaining exactly how the test mules have been disguised. This bare-faced exploitation of the spy photo hype machine is revealed in full at the bottom of the release – Vauxhall has even gone to the trouble of supplying its own faux spy photos of the Insignia out testing on British roads.

Let’s just hope the Insignia generates a bit more interest when it finally debuts without the disguises!

Dan

---

Links:

Intelligence gathering with the 308

Spied: Vauxhall Insignia (ironic, no?)

Bookmark with:

Digg

Intelligence gathering with the 308

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:58:39 GMT

Richard Aucock writes:

Poking about the 308 GT ‘warm hatch’ on the Geneva stand, I was struck by the number of Japanese fellows photographing me. Were they too wondering why I was sitting in a car seemingly identical to the one sat back in Gatwick’s short stay car park? They wouldn’t have been alone – and the only key difference I found was a different gear lever – but no. They weren’t snapping me, as they continued, for many hours, when I left. So I surreptitiously returned the honours with my cameraphone.

Now, the Japanese are well known for such tomsnappery at motor shows. And they’re not practising their artificial light skills to death.

No, they’re analysing the opposition in minute detail, producing tiny detail shots of hinges and brackets for teams back home to pore over in incredible detail.

Goodness, some even bring along tape measures. And what better opportunity to cover the whole of Europe’s newest kit, than at an European motor show?

So, actually, it is something of an honour that the 308 garnered such attention. Peugeot (and I) reckon it’s got the highest-quality interior in the family hatch sector; given such interest from so many Japanese engineers, they could well be right.

Of particular interest, it seemed, was the clever Paul Daniels-style luggage cover tray, which can be opened from either side. Judging by the many scribbles on Suzuki-headed notepaper, don’t be surprised if you see something similar in the company’s forthcoming large car contender…

Richard

Links:

Peugeot 308 long termer

Bookmark with:

Digg

German police lose unstealable police car

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:25:20 GMT

cj hubbard writes:

Speaking of BMWs (and without wishing to make light of this unfortunate occurrence)...

A pair of Berlin traffic police officers are, one would imagine, looking a little bit sheepish right now - having had their £75,000 "theft-proof" patrol car...stolen.

Stopping the ultra high-tech BMW* to chase a joyrider who was all TWOCed out and absconding on foot, it seems the German law bringers were in too much of a hurry to grab the keys from the ignition.

As a result, by the time the unfortunate pair of coppers returned to the car - packed, incidentally, with the latest surveillance equipment, immobilisers, and cutting edge electronic locks they had failed to use - it was gone.

Whoops.

Disciplinary action has, unsurprisingly, ensued. Local police chiefs apparently have no idea who stole the car, and the jam sandwich previously known as the "pride of the Berlin police force" is still missing.

And they didn't manage to catch the initial joyrider, either.

---

Links:

US Teens die in horror M5 crash

*And no, the picture isn't the car in question; that's a BMW 501/3 police car belonging to the Munich police, circa 1955-1958...