Be Excellent To Each Other

Or has a non-interference engine and bulletproof reliability. Does anyone want to buy an MX-5?

I can't imagine the running costs would be that much higher than they are for my GT-Four, which has cost me a frankly ridiculous sum of money in the two years I've owned it.

Yeah buy it. The running costs will be not much more than frankly ridiculous.

That's it really. You also know it will handle like shit on British roads and the 15mpg compared to the 60mpg in the Golf would be expensive.

DO IT!

It can't be that bad! They don't actually have a V8 you know, that was dubbed in for the films.

The one being advertised does.

Oh, sorry, I thought we were still talking about the Delorean. Yes, it's probably that bad then

You' also have a superb collection of Captain Chaos's on here to choose from.

And if you got the car, you'd have to do this:

http://texastvcars.com/knightrider.html

Oooh, hold me back!

Isn't this something to do with some sort of EU regulations or something?

What regulation? Rip off Toyota IQ's?

Something has just died inside me

Aston are one of if not the only standalone volume sports car manufacturer, so they have to have a toy car in their range to offset CO2 regs being introduced or face swingeing fines from the EU.

And it's not a ripoff of an iQ, it is a stock iQ. It is a ripoff though, as they're charging £40k for it with a bespoke aston interior.

I love it

That's a Toyota iQ.




I don't think that the EU has fleet mileage requirements. The US does.

OK idea but with one flaw. An Aston Martin buyer doesn't need a second petrol car to go to the shops, (s)he needs an electric one.

£5 it's a hamster.

I love the veiled reference to the Ugly Duckling in them calling it a Cygnet.

you are still not right in the noggin....


glad you are back...

Aha. We don't, but we will.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/tra ... 2_home.htm



Fair enough. I always thought that was a bit of a daft scheme (it's called CAFE in the US) and just results in manufacturers paying lip service to it, like this.

I think that's the legislation that's going to kill off the Land Rover Defender.

Is that why they're producing that new one? Can't remember what it's called now? LRX?

No, that's a completely new car, bafflingly called the Range Rover Envoque, and is being pushed hard at women. Victoria Beckham is going to lead the advertising.

It's going to be available in two wheel drive

Webby: http://www.landrover.com/gl/en/rr/new-range-rover/

It's a pretty little thing (by far the best looking 4x4 crossover, or whatever they call them), but I think badging it a Range Rover isn't that clever, and making it two-wheel drive is going to damage the reputation of the company quite hard

Are they actually killing it off? I'd heard it was being replaced.

Do you report a damaged windscreen to police if you have the reg of the lorry that caused it? A big piece of rubble flew off and has caused damage just now. Driver refused to pull over so he knows it happened.

Well, no-one can say for sure. There will be a replacement, but it's going to struggle to be as recognisable as the Defendes / Series Land Rover's were.

Seems reasonable to me, anyone who drives those things is allergic to getting within two foot of a grass verge anyway.
Now if only they'd continue the logical progression and make it the size and mass of a normal car as well, everyone would be happy

I think it is, pretty much. It's very, very "green".

I know it doesn't have to be 4WD, I just think it should be.

Does 'registered' mean sold, or can they just pile up go-karts with clean engines on a disused airfield somewhere?

It's only one version of it that will be 2WD isn't it?

They are making pretty concerted efforts to make the whole range greener. The new 4.4TDV8 RR actually when viewed as a luxury car is more economical than quite a few big limos. They're also taking on board the aluminium tech pioneered by Jaguar into the new RR to make a serious stab at reducing it's massive kerb weight.

Still, as you say, there's no news on the Defender, which is long overdue a massive overhaul.

I think all versions will have 4WD as an option - I don't think anything is set in stone yet, though.

Still, it's the first Land Rover with the option for 2WD.

Basically, yes.

When electric cars were mandated (I think as part of CAFE, or similar), they didn't even sell them but leased them, recalled the leases early and stacked them up in the desert.

Apart from that, the offset tends to be provided by very cheap base models with tiny (by US standards) engines, flogged off to government and fleet buyers. As I understand it anyway.

Have you heard any rumblings about electric cars being subject to road tax in the future, Kal?

Yeah I think they might shoot themselves in the foot with that. It's a bit like how (*I think*) BMW still make all their cars RWD even though the massive majority of the people who buy them neither understand or care about it.

Their brand is built on them being driver's cars just as Land Rover is built on them being real off road vehicles.

Which they all are.
Until the Envoque.

I'm certain they will as soon as they become at all popular (or, like, available). Or even just at the next budget, if they think of it.

On the other hand, < 99g CO2/km vehicles are also zero rated and it wouldn't be fair to tax one and not the other.

I thought the first time was a typo. It's Evoque.

Beemer have front wheel drive cars in the pipe. Excluding the "new" MINI, obviously

Argh! I know that, but I can't stop myself from typing it.
When I do a search, I keep getting information about the dance group

In all honesty I have more of a problem with them using Skeletor as an ambassador than it being a 2wd road focused crossover vehicle.

Have spoken to the insurance. Given the size of the damage its touch and go if they can repair it so they will be bringing a new windscreen anyway. Repair is free, but replacement will be £65.

Bloody lorry driver. He knew he'd done it as he was spraying debris around the carriageway like nobodies business. Tried to get him to pull over but he wasn't interested. Couldn't make out any company name on the truck.

If it had been a stone thrown up out of the road I would have to shrug my shoulders and accept it, but if this idiot has cost me £65 because he couldn't secure his load then thats not on.

Report him to the Police then. I suspect you won't get much joy, but I'd still do it.

Problem is, as usual, the lack of evidence other than the damage itself. My word against his, etc etc. While there might be CCTV on the motorway the thing is that it won't have the resolution to show something like that up.

The guy from the windscreen people I was referred to said it happens all the time. Lorries carrying rubble and stuff and bits fly out because the driver can't be bothered to secure the load.

Narr but he'll probably get a warning letter from the coppers stating a complaint has been made and will be recorded for the next X number of years, so better make sure it doesn't happen again. Nothing else will probably happen but it might shit him up.

Interestingly enough I'm on my third new window screen in 3 years for similar reasons. I've never thought about getting the number plate as I'm normally shitting myself at not knowing what happened after a huge bang emits from my car. I always think someone's hit me.By the time I realise, it's just the window screen, it's too late. Also have some large dints in my bonnet to from said stones.

I went to see if I could report it online but "The national online reporting website is currently off line". Am impressed it exists, am unimpressed its offline.

What is bothering more more at the moment is that the replacement screen (if they use it) will be of the same quality as the VW screen. Have heard a few horror stories about replacement screens leaking and having different characteristics.

The man is outside repairing it as I type. He's having a go at doing it as the damage is rather on the big side. His opinion was that it was better to try and repair than replace the screen wholesale. I'd agree even if it means there will be visible damage, it's on the top left so well out of the way.

Garage have just rang me... my new car is being deliverd on teh 1st!!!


Yippee..... Golf GT - debadged!!

Dear Mercedes,


Thank you for the ridiculous V8s.

Crikey. Awesomely detailed motor racing slot car built by a exhibition model builder.

Something for the attic, Grim...?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/news/defau ... ryId=22649