A brand’s logo is arguably the most important part of it’s image. Yes, it is literally an image, but a logo is more than just that. A good one communicates certain emotions and feelings.
Logos have come a long way over the years, both visually and “emotionally.” Here’s an interesting look at some well-known brands and how they’ve evolved.
Apple
Microsoft
IBM
Firefox
Google
Canon
Nokia
Shell
Playboy
WWF
Nike
Pepsi
Coca Cola
Starbucks
Adobe
FedEx
Walmart
Volkswagon
BMW
Audi
Underground Art Concepts
Haha, you know I had to throw that last one in there. If you’d like more info on the logo evolutions, check Bored Panda for a great rundown.
Audi recently ran a commercial that illuminates our present situation, highlighting the “Green Police.” Al Gore smiled broadly, thinking to himself that Utopia has finally been achieved.
Jim Doyle probably smiled, thinking that Wisconsin will soon mirror Audi’s green world with the passage of his Clean Energy Jobs Act. But Utopia will be the farthest thing from the reality of living in a world with higher gas taxes, mandated energy efficiency improvements on our homes, strict emissions standards and limits on how long you can idle in your car every hour. Instead, we will be living in a green Orwellian nightmare if Doyle gets his way.
The commercial depicts Paul Blart-like envirocops frisking a hapless shopper who choose plastic over paper, a late-night snacker caught in a helicopter spotlight for simply throwing away an orange rind, and a homeowner being dragged from his home for using incandescent light bulbs. The only way to avoid these humiliations is to conform to the green rules and regulations of the “Green Police,” or to buy Audi’s Clean Diesel vehicles.
Some may say Audi was using the absurd to guilt gullible Americans into buying their cars. However, there are real green police lurking out there — Israeli officers enforce the edicts of the Ministry of Environmental Protection; New York has a Department of Environmental Conservation with a force affectionately called the “Green Police;” and the United Kingdom employs a squad dressed in green jackets to monitor for excessive CO2 emissions. I don’t think Audi was using the absurd, the company was tapping into reality.
If Gore and Doyle get their way, the scenes in the commercial will be the tip of the iceberg. Forget the cold, icy stares for not having a canvas bag at Sendik’s, instead worry about holding onto your job when Wisconsin businesses are saddled with higher energy costs and forced conservation. According to Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the Clean Energy Jobs Act could eliminate up to 43,000 jobs.
“Manufacturing jobs depend on affordable energy and affordable electricity,” said Scott Manley, WMC director of environmental policy. The WMC also feels the Wisconsin-only global warming initiative will place our state and workers at a competitive disadvantage in terms of energy costs, tax rates and regulations.
And the WMC are not alone. More than 60 percent of voters polled last year said solving global warming is not simply a Wisconsin issue to solve and that they did not favor Doyle’s proposals.
If job losses aren’t enough to cool enthusiasm for Doyle’s legislation, what about the provision that would limit your choice of electronic gadgetry? Doyle is proposing the prohibition of certain consumer electronics that use more than a specified amount of electricity in “standby mode.” If your iPod, Smart phone or Blackberry doesn’t meet Jim’s standards, there could be fines of up to $100 for each device sold or offered for sale.
With all that in store for us if Doyle’s misnamed “Clean Energy Jobs Act” is enacted, maybe Audi’s Green Police world isn’t all that bad.
TheTalkyOne by novero is a sleek and minimally designed universal Bluetooth® speakerphone with a single touch button – ideal for taking calls and streaming music wirelessly in the car, home or office. Debuting in cool white and chrome, its slim shape is designed to provide a truly uninhibited mobile experience, one that allows your mobile life to exist wherever you are.
It can be securely positioned on any number of surfaces, including sun-visors and sloping dashboards. Its multipoint capabilities allow two phones to be connected at the same time and its crystal clear speakerphone and supreme noise cancellation technology can turn any call into a conference call.
novero develops, produces and distributes wireless communications solutions, which seamlessly fit into people’s lifestyles. After the automotive division successfully separated from Nokia in 2008, the novero team used its creativity and experience to create a new line of wireless products for car makers and end users. novero provides built-in bluetooth solutions to customers like Audi, Mercedes, Bentley, Volkswagen and BMW.
So then, it’s a new year, but it’s also the dawn of a new decade (Admittedly, it has been for almost two months now, but a series of articles like this takes some time). So we decided to look back into the last decade and talk about some of the big events which happened. It was undoubtedly a great decade for cars, so there’s plenty of stuff to get through. There were also some bad moments though, and we’ll be discussing those as well over the next week or so with a series of articles.
Speed Record Showdown
One of the biggest things to happen was all the cars reaching for the production speed record. It started in 2005 with the Bugatti Veyron. It has been praised as one of the greatest cars of all time, even winning Top Gear’s Car of the Decade award. Using a quad-turbocharged, 8.0L W16 engine, the car will get from 0 – 100 kph in just 2.5 seconds, but most importantly, it’ll keep on charging to 408 kph (About 253 mph). This was record-breaking. The Veyron was the first production car to ever cross 400 kph.
Others wanted a go at the record too though. So soon enough, more cars began to join the fight. The Shelby Supercars Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo came along in 2007, and it beat the Veyron’s speed with average top speed of about 412kph (Roughly 256mph) after 2 runs, although 414 kph (About 257 mph) was hit in one of the runs. The driver claimed that there was still more to go, but the straight wasn’t long enough. During the time of the record run, the Ultimate Aero TT was powered by a 6.35L supercharged V8, sourced from Chevrolet and putting out 1,183 hp and 1,094 lb-ft of torque. SSC updates the car every year though, and it now has a new, twin-turbo V8 engine, churning out 1,287 hp and 1,112 lb-ft of torque. They’ve also adjusted the aerodynamics and gear ratios and cut down on weight. According to Shelby Supercars, the theoretical top speed, if you find a long enough straight, is 462kph (About 287mph). This isn’t an official figure though. In 2008, 9ff came up with the GT9. It’s loosely based on the Porsche 911 Turbo. Powered by a twin-turbo, 4.2L flat-six generating 987 hp and 711 lb-ft of torque, it reached 254 mph (About 408kph). That’s 1 mph more than the Veyron, but 2 mph shy of SSC’s record. 9ff’s attempts didn’t end there though. Near the end of the decade, they came up with the GT9-R. This is an evolution of the GT9. Details are sparse, but we know that it uses a 4.0-litre flat-six which makes 1120 hp, and 9ff claims a top speed of 414 kph (About 257 mph), enough to break the Ultimate Aero’s official record.
While 9ff worked on the GT9-R, another company stepped into the ring, and surprisingly, they’re a small-time British company, Keating.With their TKR, they are aiming to outclass everyone, even SSC’s claimed top speeds, by hitting 300 mph. During practice runs, they “only” managed 260 mph, but even that would be enough to claim the official record. Official runs will take place sometime during this year, and presumably the GT9-R will make an official run too. The Zenvo ST1 could have participated in this battle with its 1104 hp V8 engine, hooked up to a body weighing just around 1350 kilos, but Zenvo decided to electronically limit the top speed to 375 kph (Around 233 mph). Another notable car to mention is Underground Racing’s twin-turbo Gallardo. This Gallardo has been tuned to put out 1500 hp, but not at the crank, at the wheels, making it even more impressive. Admittedly, this is when it uses VP C16 racing fuel, but it is still quite a feat. It is a one-off though, although it’s hard to understand whether or not Underground Racing will offer the package to other customers, and top speed runs haven’t been done. It has cleared the quarter mile in under 10 seconds though with its owner behind the wheel, and he isn’t a racing driver, hasn’t been to the drag strip for 10 years, and never drove the car until that moment. That is a figure rivaling the Ultimate Aero. The fight will most likely continue, with an even more powerful car promised by Zenvo, Bugatti soon to need a new car, and Arash promising a 1000 hp version of their AF-10. SSC might be updating their Ultimate Aero again this year, and 9ff is likely to come up with a GT9-R replacement in a year or two, especially since its 20 unit production will probably end very quickly.
That’s it for our first part, stay tuned for more in this series.
Check out my pics from the EuroSunday meet this past Saturday (yeah i know, EuroSunday on a Saturday?)!
So the boys over at EuroSunday.net decided to create a Honolulu chapter for the popular automotive gathering, and I was there to cover the first meet. The original plan was to hold it at Kakaako Waterfront Park, however it seems another organization beat us to the park. So a change of plans was in order, and we all moved over to Fishermen’s Warf. Before long, European’s of all shapes and sizes began rolling in.
While a majority of the cars that showed up were modern, the two old school machines who showed up stole the show. There was a pristine looking Austin Heely, and an equally beautiful BMW 2002 Tii.
All in all, there was a really good turn out of over 20 cars, much more then expected. The cars that came included a bunch of VW GTIs (including an R32!), a few BMWs (including a German market E36 M3!), a perfect looking MkI Range Rover, and even a Porsche 911! A bright yellow Ducati also came to represent the two-wheelers. However the car that stole the show for me personally was a beastly Audi RS6. Can you say 4.2L V8 Biturbo??
Although the event is called EuroSunday, now days ALL makes and models are welcomed. As such a couple of Japanese car’s showed up, however the biggest non-Euro was clearly a monster Corvette, tuned by Lingenfelter!
All in all, a great day! The weather was perfect, the cars were awesome, and the company was fun! Hopefully future EuroSunday events will have even bigger turn-outs. I know I’ll continue to show up when I can, even in my Japanese made Subaru. Who knows, I personally might have a Euro of my own in the future. ^_^
Big thanks to Joe from EuroSunday.net for organizing this get together. And if you’re interested in attending a future event, Joe says he plans on holding one every 4th Sunday of the month (starting on March 28th) and a location to be determined. Head on over to the Hawaii chapter for more info on future events (you gotta register for free first)!
*PS: I know the event is called EuroSunday, but due to Valentine’s day being on a Sunday, this first event was rescheduled for a Saturday. Just to clear up any confusion some of you may have had.
To save space and a shameless plug, check out my FLICKR set for all the pics!
The fancy/weight rule states that as the cost and/or mass of a vehicle increases, its driver cedes proportionally more culpability for his or her actions on the road, with a special obliviousness reserved for cyclists. I found myself unwittingly in a proof last Thursday night when a certain Mr. Porsche cut in front of me to make a left turn; he had arguably not enough time nor space in which to do so. Extra points go to him for being on the phone. I’m 90% sure he was eating a sandwich in the other hand.
Assign whatever classist reasoning you want to this argument. Clearly, your car doesn’t have to be big or expensive for you to drive it poorly. And I don’t mean to suggest that every last SUV driver takes pains to make cyclists’ lives uncomfortable. But one data point on this graph is infallible. It’s at the intersection where the two curves of cost and weight converge: Range Rover drivers are inarguably the worst.
For some reason, Autocar reports that the new Audi A1 is “poised to become the biggest-selling model in the firm’s history following its UK launch this October.” Which is strange, considering some basic facts:
- It’s nothing more than a VW Polo with four rings glued onto the front grill.
- It’s absolutely nothing special to behold. It’s been styled by lazy people, who just did a downsized A3, and said “That’ll do.” The VW Polo its based on is much better-looking.
- It’s horrendously expensive.
But then again, customer stupidity knows no bounds. If absolute automotive cesspools such as the Austin Allegro, Renault Super 5 (the original R5 was sublime) and first-generation Citroen C5 sold like there was no tomorrow, there can be no doubt people will throw their money away on things with four wheels anyone with some sense of motoring judgement sees to be a disaster from miles away.
- It’s got four rings on it. Audi drivers are all stupid.
- Overpricing attracts rich delinquents. If you have an Audi and a VW, that share the same parts, same servicing in the same place, but charge €300 for servicing the VW and €400 for the Audi, people with too much money for their own good will automatically think they’re paying for quality.
Now unfortunately for me, fans of the Big German 3 (BMW, Merc and Audi), are all tasteless morons who can’t take criticism, so they’ll all be round to insult me and make threats. The rest of you who aren’t apes, take my advice and steer clear of this crap car. The VW Polo is better.
Me and my friend went out to down town at 3am and I just got back. Here are a couple shots that I thought were junk in each place out of the batch. I foresee good things in the future
According to their website, “Audi is a manufacturer of exquisite cars – attractive, sophisticated and technically perfect [emphasis mine]“.
Within a year of purchasing my Audi, the automatic climate control system started to work erratically and become uncontrollable.
Some times there would be heat when the air conditioning should have been on. Other times the air conditioning would be on when the heat should be on. At other times there would be no air conditioning or heat at all. In one instance, in the middle of winter, the interior temperature was far in excess of 25C (77F) despite my having set the climate control to only 17 C (62.6 F).
My dealer, Crosby Volkswagen Audi, first looked into the problem around January 2008. They told me at the time that it was operating to Audi’s specifications.
On March 4, 2008, Crosby conducted further tests at my insistence. They set the control to 16 C (60.8 F). They then put a thermometer inside the car. The temperature on the thermometer varied somewhere between 18 to 19 C ( 64 to 66 F). They conducted the same test on an “identical vehicle” and contacted Audi Canada.
After all that, they then told me, according to this invoice, that the “vehicle is operating according to manufactors [sic] specifications”.
A climate control system that is off by 3-4 C (5-6 F) is not what I expected from the famed German engineering I’ve heard so much about. It certainly isn’t what I would consider “technically perfect”.
I have since been told by a few mechanics not affiliated with Crosby Volkswagen Audi that there are three interior temperature sensors in the vehicle. They have suggested that it might be a fault with one of these sensors. It doesn’t appear, based upon their work order, that Crosby even investigated this possibility, though one can infer that if the manufacturer claims the car is not capable of better temperature accuracy, one simply has to take their word for it.
If an Audi is “technically perfect“, the definition of perfect may need some revisions.
I like Audi as a brand and where they have come from to the exciting and successful brand they are today. But, what the hell are they doing on the Home Page of News.com.au?
Is targeting knuckle draggers and 10 year olds part of the target audience? Is this the “New Space” for Audi? I think not.
Bad media buy, bad client approval process.
Audi dont need to interupt users. Everyone already aspires to own an Audi. This is a $100,ooo vehicle.
I don’t see other luxury brands here… I’m just confused…
If you want to talk about the car itself, thats another story…
At first glance it looks like the regular Audi sedan, but after closer inspection the car reveals four seats, a swoopier profile, an A5 Coupe nose and a great big tailgate.
Audi says there’s never been a car like this, and if you are inclined to buy a coupe but can’t handle having two doors and limited luggage capacity, this just might be the car for you.
First and foremost – CONGRATULATIONS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS on your first Super Bowl victory – well deserved.
Now, what’s a marketing blog without a TOP 10 Super Bowl commercial list? Here’s my take on the best strategic and comedic… How many of my favorites match yours?
#1 Google | Paris Love Story via Google Search
While many tweeted that Google has no need to advertise, the commercial’s strategy was so much deeper than just gaining users/web hits. Strategy #1: Simple demonstration of Google’s various capabilities to a wide audience. Yes, us savvy techies know all about Google’s tools but remember “Who” performed at the Halftime show – that audience may not be as savvy and will need some tips. Strategy #2: The commercial followed a young man’s Parisian Love from college through the birth of his first child – probably about 10 years. Google not only strengthened their brand identity but proved their confidence in their longevity in the marketplace.
P.S. Great Job Tristan Smith, grad student a VCU Brandcenter - once again strengthen my wish to become an Alumni.
#2 Doritos | Little boy protecting his momma
Now if this wasn’t just hilariously true! I’m sure many audiences (single-moms, only children, adult single men, etc) can relate to the protective nature of children with dating parents. I must say, Doritos, out of the four commercials and sponsorships – this was by far the funniest, memorable, and buzz worthy investment. It also started the “slapping” theme that I just don’t understand.
#3 Bud Light | T-Pain Auto-tune commercial
Bud Light did a great job tapping into the varying target audiences of the Super Bowl. The pop culture auto-tuning commercial caught my eye (or shall I say my ear). Unless you are familiar with the current debate of auto-tuning in the Hip-Hop music culture, you could probably relate to the ridiculous-ness of auto-tune showing up EVERYWHERE – listen to Jay-Z “Death to Autotune” for the Cliff Notes version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z13AjI8n4I.
#4 Audi T3 | Green Police
This was a quick way to educate consumers about how to be ”greener” in their everyday life. From the more obvious steps like reusable grocery bags and plastic water bottles to the less obvious, battery recycling and hot tub temperatures – Audi touched many of the eco-friendly tips all in a minute. Throw in some humor and a “Get Out of Eco-Checkpoint Free” card by driving the Audi A3 TDI and you have a responsible and funny commercial. Now I know that the green debate is much deeper than a 60 second commercial but spreading awareness will always be a necessity and Audi answered while promoting their product.
#5 Tru TV |Puxatawny Polamalu
As a Pittsburgh Steeler fan I was proud to see the Steelers made it to the Super Bowl after all – with the ironic help of Safety Troy Polamalu’s endorsements (ironic since he was out most of the season due to a knee injury and was a contributing factor to our 9-7 record). Nonetheless, I much appreciated him not talking about his hair but the mini-me size wasn’t a good look. Go Steelers!
Cross-promotional marketing with a realistic touch – even the millionaires are going broke during this economy (this obviously does not include Coca-cola or the creators of The Simpsons)
Upon the first 2 seconds of this commercial I too punched my neighbor and said “Yellow punch buggie! No punchbacks!”
#9 Vizio | Interactive Internet TV | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHxmRSYDazE
Working in the telecommunications industry ruined the amazement of such an interactive TV for me but the commercial was still attention grabbing.
#10 Bud Light | Stranded on an island | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTN16DXV4UM
Hilarious… that’s it… just hilarious.
P.S. E*Trade if you are going to change your signature baby don’t try to trick your consumers by switching out a similar looking child. Here’s a thought: Have the original baby (probably toddler age now) introduce the new baby in an apprentice-like fashion (with the usual humor).
So how did your list compare? I know you have some that didn’t make my list – please do share!
Congratulations go out to the New Orleans Saints on their first Superbowl win last night against the Indianapolis Colts. The win means a lot for the city and the state of Louisiana I’m sure.
Many people watch the game just for the ads as well. They probably get just as much, if not more coverage than the game on the news the next day. Thanks to Adweek I got to watch some if not all of them. Here are my 5 (in no particular order):
This year’s crop of hyper-expensive Super Bowl commercials was, in this blogger’s opinion, a little underwhelming. A few stood out on the plus side, but man, did one stand out on the minus: the “green” Audi commercial. Yes, I know it was some sort of satire and meant to be taken with tongue firmly in cheek. Still, I just don’t get the impression that the maker’s of this piece of alt-history really got how scary this would be. They offer up this eco-totalitarian world where you can be arrested for all sorts of ridiculous things, but wait! Here’s your way out! The diesel Audi! Is the scenario impossible? Probably, but I’m positive that there are a small minority of people watching it that are nodding inwardly saying, “Well, of course we wouldn’t go through people’s garbage, but really, there oughta be a law about (fill in the blank eco-faux pas)”.
Anyway, watch for yourself. Am I just not seeing the humor in it? Does this help or hurt Audi’s brand?
It’s all ironic considering I drive an old HiLux yet have such a passion for fine cars. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. Here’s my list of 10 cars that I would love to have in my posession. This isn’t just a list of cars I like, it’s ten cars that given the opportunity, I want to own. Truth be told, if I had to pleasure of owning just one of these I’d be mighty happy. Even the chance to drive one… now I’m getting desperate. Read on!
- t
So here we go, in no particular order other than the ease of finding a decent picture…
1. Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (1963)
Honestly one of the most beautiful cars ever created in my opinion. Whilst the SWB (short wheel base) and Testa Rossa versions of the 250 seem to be more popular, the Lusso (Luxury) almost seems cooler for it’s nonchalant approach to performance. The longer nose and more natural curves are simply stunning, and as many have remarked; the proportions on this car are near on perfect. Taking nearly 3 months to built, and only 350 being made in a little over 18 months, it remains near the top of my list of cars I would love to own.
2. Citroën DS (1955)
This particular polarises opinion. You either love it or hate it, for me it’s definitely in the former category. From the tapered profile, the covered rear wheels to the indicators sitting up on the roofline, there’s something so undeniably French about the way the DS looks and it has charm that can’t be replicated. Consider that the DS was released in 1955 after 18 years of development, that’s right the car you see here was available to buy 55 years ago! This car pre-dates the ‘57 Chevy and was on the roads when people could still buy a brand new FJ Holden! In a time when kids were drinking Cherry Coke, this car featured hydropneumatic suspension for goodness sake! The DS remained in production for 20 years, and my personal favourite interpretation was the 3rd generation with it’s quad directional headlights. To me, this car is automotive art. A combination of beauty and innovation.
3. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2005)
Heralding the first car to be produced by the little car racing gang in Woking since the F1 road car, the SLR was considered by many journalists as a failed product. McLaren had created an amazing vehicle, made from lightweight materials like Carbon Fibre and aluminium but Mercedes proceeded to weight it down with electronics until it weighed in at nearly 2 tonnes. Coupled with the fact it was only available as with an automatic transmission and notoriously bad brake feel, nobody seemed to rate the SLR as a true hypercar. Instead branding it as a Grand Tourer (GT). Despite this, the SLR still maintains devastating performance, helped no doubt by that gem of an engine from Mercedes’ tuning arm AMG. The sound that the hand built 5.4-litre supercharged V8 is immense, and I’d be so lucky to be able to hear it thump away as I fired down a deserted road. Visually the thing is stunning, and in my view a much better adaptation of the classic “gullwing” Merc than the recent SLS. Those frontal exiting exhausts, the never-ending nose that pulls some autobot-esque moves to reveal that amazing piece of german hot-rod engineering beneath it. Jay Leno branded this as “the supercar you can drive every day” and that’s something that can’t be bad in my view. For me this represents the best german supercar in decades, challenged only by the even-more-mythical Porsche Carrera GT. Unlike the SLS or the universally loved Audi R8, the SLR has character, and I’m a sucker for the big thing.
4. Ford Falcon XY GT-HO Phase III (1971)
The ultimate Aussie muscle car. Whilst the americans were busy with their huge 2 doors, the madmen at Ford Australia shoved their formidable 351c.i. Cleveland V8 into the Falcon sedan (as it had been doing for years), added the option of the “HO” (Handling Option) package and sent them racing. Only 300 were ever built, which included the ones raced in touring car events (most famously around Mount Panorama, Bathurst). The XY is the final, fastest and most famous of the HO’s. With power ranging from 270-280kw in 1971 (mind-boggling) the XY GT-HO was reputed to be the world’s fasts production 4-door car. Today the GT legend lives on, none greater than that embodied by this Australian icon. Nowadays the price of a genuine GT-HO sits around the $750,000 – $1,000,000 mark. Just awesome.
5. BMW E9 3.0 CSL (1973)
What happens when your racing cars struggle from aerodynamic problems? Why you make a bodykit for it. Because of homologation rules, this meant that the CSL had to come with the bodykit from the factory, however this caused problems when it was deemed illegal to fit the kit in Germany. The solution? Put it in the boot! That’s right, the 3.0 CSL came without the bodykit fitted, ingenious! Dubbed the “Batmobile” for its outrageous looks when fitted with the aerodynamic aids, the beautiful lines of the E9 3.0 meant that with or without the additions the car looked stunning. With a 3.2L straight six under that shark-nosed bonnet and famous BMW handling characteristics it remains a legend.
6. Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (2008)
When Lamborghini was bought out by Volkswagen you’d be forgiven for thinking that the German mindset would destroy the Italian insanity that the raging bull is so famous for. Luckily this is anything but true. It seems that the only thing that Lamborghini lost was the bad parts of being Italian, like reliability. Often overshadowed by its bigger brother, the Murcielargo, the Gallardo always held its own in the performance stakes but lacked a little flare. The Superleggera was great, but it was just a Gallardo with a wing. Then, inspired by the instantly famous Reventon’s jet fighter cues, the LP560-4 was born. To me this represents everything a Lamborghini should be. The new lines only accentuate that brilliant wedge shape, and in virginal white with optional cordelia wheels it becomes what I believe is the best looking supercar currently in production. And then there’s the sound that V10 makes…
7. Audi B7 RS4 Quattro Avant (2006)
Ever since the original came out only in Avant (wagon) form, I was intrigued by the notion of a blisteringly fast wagon. The idea that you could slay old men in their souped up falcodores and porsches and still carry around a load of mates and groceries is something that I think is brilliant. That said, I never quite liked the bigger and more powerful RS6 version, for some reason it didn’t have the same character. The latest version drops the original’s twin turbo V6 for a naturally aspirated V8 that sounds bloody fantastic. For years this has honestly been a realistic dream car of mine, still a few years to go at this rate though… I’ll take one in Sprint Blue Pearl please!
8. BMW E30 M3 (1986)
If you’re wondering why this car is here, you probably aren’t that into cars. During its 6 years of production the M3 competed in just about every form of motorsport everywhere in the world. From touring cars to rallying, the first M3 has done it all. In a lot of ways it remains the only M3 to really live up to its racing heritage as well, with it being built with homologation for Group A in mind. Nowadays the M3 is a force to be reckoned with on the road, often unparalleled in performance, but it lacks the raw race car edginess of its great grandfather. In an era where cars were lifeless econoboxes, the M3 makes square sexy, and wins my heart. I would love nothing more than to take one for a drive along a mountain road somewhere here in Queensland.
9. McLaren F1 (1992)
I’m pretty sure everyone in the world at some point marvelled at the McLaren F1. For years it held the crown as the world’s fastest production car. Set in 1998 it topped out at 391km/h. This was set in a car running a naturally aspirated BMW sourced V12 engine. Only 3 cars have surpassed this mark, all requiring artificial aspiration and vastly more power to overcome the F1’s record. The car featured an amazing lack of technology in areas such as traction control and anti-lock brakes, which Ron Dennis explains as taking away driving feel. There is no doubt that the McLaren F1 is a hardcore drivers car of the utmost calibre, and that’s reflected in its fiery reputation for requiring real driving finesse to get the most from the car. This car really is a modern classic, and to own one would be an honour.
10. McLaren MP4-12C (2011)
Ok, so first off it isn’t actually in production at the moment. But much like its predecessor, the McLaren F1, the MP4-12C looks set to change the way we think of supercars. Gordan Murray tells us that this will be cheaper, faster, and more economical than all of its competitors, and I’m one to believe him. Visually many people seem underwhelmed, but I think it possesses all of the things a good supercar should. Its been accused of looking like the Lotus Evora, but is that such a bad thing? I mean, nobody complains that the newest Jaguar XK looks like an Aston Martin? This car will also mark the first time McLaren will build their own engine, something quite exciting indeed. The car will also bring over more than its fair share of Formula 1 sourced technology, which is ironic considering what the F1 road car stood for. Needless to say, there’s a good chance this car will be as revolutionary as just about everything else to come from the Woking based race car builder started by a New Zealander.
Audi recently ran a commercial that illuminates our present situation, highlighting the “Green Police.” Al Gore smiled broadly, thinking to himself that Utopia has finally been achieved.
Speed Record Showdown
The fancy/weight rule states that as the cost and/or mass of a vehicle increases, its driver cedes proportionally more culpability for his or her actions on the road, with a special obliviousness reserved for cyclists. I found myself unwittingly in a proof last Thursday night when a certain Mr. Porsche cut in front of me to make a left turn; he had arguably not enough time nor space in which to do so. Extra points go to him for being on the phone. I’m 90% sure he was eating a sandwich in the other hand.
For some reason, Autocar reports that the new Audi A1 is “poised to become the biggest-selling model in the firm’s history following its UK launch this October.” Which is strange, considering some basic facts:
