‘LOTUS’ is a badge stuck onto the rump of many legends. The Cortina. The Carlton. The Sunbeam. The Corsa VXR. Well, on the last one, it wasn’t – but it ...
Archive for July, 2009
Why did people hate the Lotus Elan?
I was in love with the 1990s Lotus Elan as a kid. Loved the shape, had the Lotus Turbo Challenge computer game for my Amiga, basically lived the dream as ...
English Channel-crossing pilot – and BMW
FRENCHMAN Louis Bleriot became the first man to fly across the English Channel a century ago today. And, today, his feat will be replicated thousands of times – by BA, ...
BMW X6M suspension secrets
STANDARD BMW X6 models, in corners, work harder, earlier, for agility. And that, explains Head of M Development Albert Biermann, is down to how the clever torque vectoring rear axle ...
Oil be: it’s back
VOLKSWAGEN’S Golf GTD is an inspired bit of engineering. Take one Golf GTI. Remove petrol engine. Replace with 2.0-litre TDI 170. Job (almost) done. OK, it has 40hp less, but ...
Volkswagen Golf GTD photostream on Flickr
VOLKSWAGEN wowed everyone in the Motoring Research office when it sent the Volkswagen Golf GTD to us. I took it for a weekend, and almost became violent when it was ...
How do you make a BMW X6M?
BMW X6M. Or, but for Mazda, the MX6. What in Lord’s name is it all about, ask hardcore M fans worldwide. Well, it was certainly a challenge, admits M Head ...
BMW LCI not ASAP for M
BMW facelifted the 3 Series last year. Odd, how M hasn’t followed with the M3. Why’s that? Well, it’s because M has such independence from BMW AG. It’s able, says ...
RenaultSport past to inspire turbo future?
RENAULT’S Clio RenaultSport 200 was destined not to get the turbo its torque profile needs back in 1988. That’s when Renault announced a major change for its hot hatch engine ...
Social media and I
HOW is this motoring journalist finding social media is helping him? For the past few months, I’ve been religiously following the many, many bibles; it quickly became clear socializing would ...
