Author: Autocar Magazine UK

How a German Prince created a Vauxhall legend

We’ve heralded the 1911 Vauxhall Prince Henry as one of the most influential cars of the 20th century, being perhaps the first proper production sports car. But what was the inspiration behind it? And who was Prince Henry? His name was actually Heinrich, and he was Prince of Prussia (the dominant state within the German… Continue reading How a German Prince created a Vauxhall legend

Merlin’s magic: I won at life when I flew a Spitfire – and you can, too

A cough. A splutter. A jet of flame for good measure and the Merlin is prised from its slumbers and into rambunctious life. Many of you, perhaps even most, will have heard one of these engines, at Goodwood or an airshow. But unless you’re physically strapped into an aircraft boasting one, you can never claim… Continue reading Merlin’s magic: I won at life when I flew a Spitfire – and you can, too

Aston calls it the Vanquish Volante, I call it… Utterly divine

When I wrote the review back in July, I nearly ran out of superlatives to describe Gaydon’s most powerful and expensive roadster. I don’t understand Ferrari’s current design language and McLaren supercars still have a whiff of IT department about them. Aston, meanwhile, just seems to be consistently knocking it out of the park. The latest… Continue reading Aston calls it the Vanquish Volante, I call it… Utterly divine

I’m 74, and I’ll keep my mad mid-engined Clio V6 as long as I can

With just 400 Phase 1 and Phase 2 examples registered in the UK, either on the road or on SORN, a Renault Clio V6 is a rare sight – and that’s just how Martin Hassett likes it.  “I like things that are rare and unusual,” he tells me. “My father never drove, so I have no desire… Continue reading I’m 74, and I’ll keep my mad mid-engined Clio V6 as long as I can

A very güten Morgan: Charming Supersport is my dream daily

The view that greets a Supersport driver is one of the best in modern motordom: a long, sleek bonnet, swooping wheel arches and diminutive, spotlight-style headlamps ensure this car is characteristically true to Morgans of yore. But what sets the Supersport apart from its forebears is its ease of use, practicality and ultimately its more… Continue reading A very güten Morgan: Charming Supersport is my dream daily

When we joined Tokyo’s street racers for a 186mph tunnel run

As Japan’s automotive industry began to flourish in the 1960s and produce sporty cars, Japanese enthusiasts took to the country’s stunning mountain roads to race one another, often in highly modified machinery – and driving in such a fashion grew in popularity and spread to urban expressways. Supposedly some street racing clubs had codes intended… Continue reading When we joined Tokyo’s street racers for a 186mph tunnel run

Keeping the lights on – the Kia EV6’s ultimate party trick

Three years ago, Nissan celebrated building 250,000 Leafs at its Sunderland plant by using one to power a giant Christmas tree, complete with reindeer, outside the factory. There was snow (real, not fake) on the ground too, making the whole scene look very festive – well, as festive as a grass verge next to a… Continue reading Keeping the lights on – the Kia EV6’s ultimate party trick

I drove the world’s most powerful tractor – it’s outstanding in its field

With impressive understatement the John Deere website refers to its 9RX range of agricultural machinery as “high-horsepower tractors”. We always like it when the Christmas road test has a unique claim to fame: the biggest, the newest, the fastest or whatever it might be. And this year’s Christmas road test subject takes that ‘high horsepower’… Continue reading I drove the world’s most powerful tractor – it’s outstanding in its field

The answer to making cars lighter? You’re sitting on it…

In the quest to reduce weight, one area of a car’s structure that gets relatively little public attention is seating. As drivers and passengers, we probably take them for granted beyond how comfortable or not they might be. But if you’ve ever had to remove a seat from a car, you’ll know just how complex and heavy… Continue reading The answer to making cars lighter? You’re sitting on it…