Formula 1: Red Bullets in China
I don’t know whether to admire Sebastian Vettel’s clouded honesty, or to lament his brutal arrogance. His delivery to the world’s media yesterday, ahead of Sunday’s grand prix, brought into focus the obvious conflict within Red Bull’s Formula 1 team. The nature of Red Bull’s hierarchy should not surprise anybody, and as we continue to...
Caterham Cars Exclusive: A look to the future
It would be foolish to judge Caterham based purely on their past achievements. That’s the thought I came away with following a morning spent with the company’s CEO Graham Macdonald. Macdonald, you remember, took over from Ansar Ali last June. In his previous role (as Chief Financial Officer) he was fighting to keep the purse-strings...
Throttle Control: past, present and future
It seems a long time ago – thirty years to be precise – while studying Electrical Engineering at Brunel University, that I realised I was working towards the wrong degree. Rather than learning about microprocessors and fibre-optic circuits, I found myself reading L.J.K. Setright’s Valve mechanisms for high-speed engines: their design and development. As a...
In Pictures: MINI Paceman versus Countryman
Last week we drove MINI’s Paceman and Countryman, travelling along some familiar roads and trying to decide which (if any) we would buy. In practice, we found little if any difference between them dynamically, but a whole heap of difference in how they make you feel when driving them. As you’d expect, the Paceman is...
Mexico Rising: Interview with Daniel Mastretta
With the launch of VUHL at this month’s Geneva Motor Show, Sergio Perez joining McLaren’s F1 team and the chatter about Mastretta’s MXT following its review by Top Gear, we thought it was time to look more closely at Mexico’s fledgling car industry. So, who better to ask about the future than Daniel Mastretta, the...
The truth about Ferrari’s brand power..
Earlier this month, brand valuation experts, Brand Finance, declared Ferrari the most powerful brand in the world, ahead of Google, Coca-Cola, PwC and Hermes. Ferrari were quick to print up the t-shirts, with Chairman Luca di Montezemolo acknowledging the accolade and thanking all the workers at Maranello who make the company’s exceptional products. We got...
Audi TT 2.0 TFSi (2007) Running Report (plus DIY bulb replacement)
It’s become something of a novelty to run a car this long, since we’re normally chopping and changing cars every year, but there’s something about Audi’s TT that makes it feel both timeless and unbreakable. Part of the reason why our TT still looks so fresh is down to the Ventureshield paint protection it received...
Interview with Ken Block: The Hoonigan Fights Back
This time last year we spent time getting to know Ken Block, the ‘accidental hero’, best known for the world famous Gymkhana Videos. At the time, Block was formulating his plans for Gymkhana FIVE, planning another season of his Gymkhana World Tour and launching Gymkhana Grid in Europe. He was also preparing for a shortened...
First Drive Review: Volvo V40 T5 Cross Country
There were two questions we were keen to answer when we drove Volvo’s new V40 Cross Country last week – how different is it to drive than a regular V40 ES? And, what does it offer to justify its premium price in the V40 range? I’ll come back to that last point a little later....
First Drive Review: Volvo V40 T5 & D4 R-Design
What does ‘sporty’ mean to you? Is it a firm ride with vice-like body control? Or perhaps a hyper-sensitive steering with an almost telepathic foresight of your next manoeuvre? Maybe a razor sharp throttle response like you ‘imagine’ a Formula One car would have? Well, just as 20-inch rims have little correlation with real racing,...
Electric Cars: Are we nearly there yet?
We are led to believe that electric cars are an invention of modern times, a testament to Moore's law - which posits that the processing power of computers will double every two years.
Audi takes its customers for a ride: An update on the TT window regulator issue
As temperatures across the UK plummet below freezing, most drivers will be preoccupied with the traction of their tyres on Britain's icy roads, but for some there's an even bigger problem to worry about.
Aston Martin serves up a lesson in corporate strategy
Last week's media coverage of the equity investment made by Investindustrial in Aston Martin has thus far focused entirely on the transaction, so I thought it might be interesting to step back a bit and take a look at how this new arrangement will deliver shareholder value for the company's owners.
DRB-Hicom Chairman confirms Lotus is ‘not safe’ and considers its disposal
Yesterday at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in Shah Alam, DRB-Hicom's Chairman Datuk Syed Mohamad Syed Murtaza confirmed what we've known for a while, that the company is 'seriously' considering its options for Group Lotus, including disposing of its stake to focus on more profitable investments.
Win a trip to the Detroit Motor Show with Hyundai’s Asphalt 7 Contest (w/VIDEO)
January's Detroit Motor Show looks set to provide a real kick-start to 2013, with a host of new model premieres from the world's largest car makers. One of those car makers is Hyundai - the fourth largest car maker and the fastest-growing automotive company by brand.
Why Lotus’ future is far from being ‘safe’
Last week an article was published online by Auto Express magazine, with the title "Lotus' future is safe". In the interests of transparency and to ensure an honest dialogue, I'll provide a little background on the source of this article and why you should still maintain an open mind about Lotus' future.
The Great and The British: Part 2 – Lawrence Tomlinson and Ginetta
The small Yorkshire town of Garforth is a fairly unremarkable place. Once a thriving mining community, its proximity to the northern arterial network has long-since seen it merge into yet another commuter suburb of Leeds’ sprawling metropolis.
Girls & Cars: Emma Quinlan
Emma Quinlan is a rare breed of car enthusiast, in fact she's a rare breed of girl. On the surface she appears to be a model, burlesque performer and party host, but get to know her and you'd find she's an animal lover, outdoors type and huge fan of horse racing.
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