A British man called Matthew Comer has just driven Route 66 in a Corvette.
He got his kicks on the famous trans-US highway by visiting drive-ins and eating hot dogs as he went.
He also gave the borrowed 436hp yellow Corvette Grand Sport a good spanking.
All things considered then, a damn fine car on a damn fine road. A bit like a Jaguar XKR through the Wye Valley…
What’s your favourite car/road trip combo?
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Like millions of Brits, I recently decamped to Spain for a week’s summer holiday. Expecting a thrashed beater, our hire car was a pleasantly surprising new 5-door Renault Megane.
With the Alliance’s 1.9 dCi lump under the bonnet, this Megane has plenty of poke, although it’s distinctly lifeless under 1,500rpm. Despite our best efforts (air con at full blast included), it refused to sup any fuel. Steering and suspension setup are excellent.
Key gripes are the headroom - (I’m 6ft tall, and banged my head everywhere I sat) - and front legroom due to a curved dashboard digging into your knees. Forget rearward visibility too: the price to pay for stylish ‘coupe-like’ design.
All in all though, the Renault Megane is an excellent car, even if the gear stick is on the wrong side.
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Earlier this week, I attended a Peugeot dealership in West London for the launch of ‘Mu by Peugeot.’
In essence, it’s a ‘mobility solution’ idea imported from France for trial here.
Uniquely placed amongst its peers, Peugeot can not only hire you a lion-badged car or van, but also a bicycle or 50cc scooter, Coupe-Cabriolet, and much more.
Mu members order online their transport of choice (with the promise of receiving that EXACT vehicle, and not an ‘or similar’ substitute.) The prices are competitive and vehicles are dropped back to the dealership afterwards.
So, can it work? Peugeot stresses that it is not trying to compete with Avis, Europcar et al for the tyre-kicking segment, but can provide a genuine alternative for hirers.
The trial is due to last six months in London and Bristol, after which Peugeot will evaluate the scheme. To see for yourself, visit www.mu.peugeot.co.uk
A Peugeot RCZ for the weekend? Sounds good to me…
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Along with 174,999 other people, I enjoyed the Goodwood Festival of Speed immensely. For a flavour of the day, check out my Goodwood Festival of Speed feature, or view the pictures.
The only question asked since my return:
“Which car was the best?”
“Which car was your favourite?
“Which car would you like to own?”
How to answer… based on what - Rarest? Most usable? Coolest? Most sensible? A modern Lamborghini such as the 570-4 comes close to completeness for me. But I’m sure some purists must hate it.
Much as they are to be admired, not sure I could bring myself to drive a vintage-era Bugatti… and it’s an expensive paperweight.
Goodwood is so extensive there’s a car to fall in love with parked around every corner. So for me, the answer is: “I don’t know.”
Over to you, which car would you choose?
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| Courtesy Jon Mills @ SWNS.com |
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We’ve seen a Toyota MR2 turn into a Ferrari F355, a Corvette turn into a Daytona… but this replica trumps them all.
According to SWNS.com, Hannes Langeder of Austria created his 911 replica using… plastic tubes, Sellotape and bits of bicycle.
The stunning result is neither the fastest Porsche in town, nor even the fastest bicycle. In fact, how fast it goes largely depends on what the driver ate for breakfast.
Nonetheless, perhaps a few more people would take up cycling if their bike looked like a supercar…
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| The President is furious at BP for the spill |
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Barack Obama is “furious” at the ongoing situation in the Gulf of Mexico. BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward “wants his life back”. Shareholders are panicking. Fishermen and locals are facing ruin. Many blame the greed of a British oil company. Others blame the most oil-hungry nation on Earth. Nobody has asked the fish and the birds what they think.
Despite the lack of precedent for a spill on the sea floor, it’s become clear there was no contingency. Hayward’s ill-advised remark that “BP doesn’t have the tools you would want,” shocked many and provoked anger. If BP’s latest attempt to cap the Deepwater Horizon wellhead 5,000ft below the surface works, it will be a remarkable engineering achievement. But one they will have no wish to repeat.
So as oil becomes increasingly scarce, the question needs to be asked: is risking this level of pollution one we’re willing to accept? If the Gulf spill could seriously threaten to sink a company like BP, perhaps other oil giants will decide there are some risks not worth taking.
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We’ve just spent a few days driving the MINI E. In case you missed it, this is the all-electric city car being trialled in the UK by 20 carefully selected ‘pioneers’. For monthly lease payments they’re given the keys; the car; and a fast charger in their homes. Later they get focus group invitations and paperwork.
However, we just took to the roads, sans homework. Hurrah!
I’ve driven an electric car before yet the sensation of near-silent running still has the power to amaze. Worth noting, it also has the power to wipe out the odd pedestrian if you’re not careful, as they really don’t hear you coming.
The E is heavier than a Cooper S but has more power and torque – about 200 horses and 220Nm. It’s a genuine hoot to drive and dispels any notions that ‘green’ is boring.
That said, range anxiety never goes away, even when you’re sat at work – which is why running an extension cable out the back door of the office seemed a great idea. Until it blew under the load. Dang.
Check back for our ‘Life With the MINI E’ video comparison coming soon, or follow us on Facebook.
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Cities crowded with cars aren’t always a bad thing: one side effect of the capital’s busy streets is the above average chance of seeing a supercar or two.
So how’s this for a spot - arrived home from work the other day to find an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione parked outside in the street. Officially, there are only 41 in the UK, a rare beastie indeed.
Now to make friends with the neighbours…
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| Aston Cygnet enjoys undeniable quality... but would Bond really drive one? |
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Ability of a car to provoke discussion and debate has reached new heights (or depths) with the Toyota iQ-based Aston Martin Cygnet.
You’ve probably already made your mind up about the £50,000 runabout: a logical step to bring money in and average fleet emissions down; or the ultimate betrayal of a sporting marque.
There are reasoned arguments for and against a sensible Aston Martin hatchback, but I can’t help wondering if there isn’t a third route to be considered.
Assuming an Aston Martin Cygnet is all about the interior craftsmanship, why bother with cars at all? Just 12 months ago at the height of the economic downturn, Bentley craftsmen resorted to making furniture to keep the workshop busy. Aston Martin could do the same.
Imagine an Aston Martin luxury sports boat in the harbour at St Tropez. Or Aston Martin furniture filling the Chelsea flat of many an affluent gentleman. Meanwhile out on the roads, the ‘purist sports cars’ moniker remains intact.
What’s more, an Aston Martin chest-of-drawers has an exceptionally low CO2 emissions figure…
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| BBC presenter Fiona Bruce was among guests at the GQbyCitroen launch evening |
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Don’t the good people at Citroen ever sleep? Less than 48 hours after the hectic Geneva Motor Show press day, they unveil another new car in Central London. Called the GQbyCitroen, it’s the “fantasy motor” of men’s magazine GQ, realised by Citroen.
Following the DS High Rider and surprise reveal at Geneva of the Survolt, my weary brain was half expecting a tarted up DS3 with GQ decals. In actual fact it’s a unique GT with a Mark Lloyd design and Savile Row interior.
Hosted by GQ, the launch party had a faintly eclectic guestlist. The deadpan comic Alexei Sayle, rock star supreme Nick Mason, the gorgeous Fiona Bruce… Midway through explaining to my missus why the GQbyCitroen’s wing mirrors were too small for a production car, she noticed David Ginola nearby. The charming French football legend quickly reduced her to a swooning mess. I’ll, er, finish explaining pedestrian-friendly crumple zones… later…
The point of the GQbyCitroen? As a company rep put it, the problem is thus: in France, around one in every six cars sold is a Citroen. In the UK, it’s closer to one in 20. The plan is to become an ‘aspirational’ brand, hence the tie-in with a stylish magazine. They want cars that will make people swoon, to fall in love with Citroen.
I already love where Citroen is going. Just so long as they don’t reveal any more new cars before Monday. Some of us need to get some sleep.
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