40. Ferrari 430 Scuderia: Considered the greatest road-going sports car of all. The Stig would have one and he'd thrape it hard on weekends.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Ferrari 430 Scuderia
40. Ferrari 430 Scuderia: Considered the greatest road-going sports car of all. The Stig would have one and he'd thrape it hard on weekends.
Lambo Murcielago R-GT
29. Murcielago R-GT: Lambo doesn't go racing very often, and didn't officially go racing with this, so it's a rare groove beast and it has 580 hp.
Mazda Furai
10. Mazda Furai: The Stig's idea of a concept car. Not a concept car that sits around at motor shows looking pretty, but one that gets up and hammers around a track. The 460-hp rotary engine helps.
Lambo Reventon
1. Lamborghini Reventon: There's something about the black ops stealth tech look of this ultimate Lambo that makes us think Stig might not be able to resist it.
BMW X6
Looks, frankly, terrible. The ultimate two-fingers to all other road users that takes up road space while not making the best use of it; coupe body over X5-sized chassis. It does however, drive like precisely nothing else on the road.
Comfort
Surprisingly comfy over long distances, and every engine makes for relaxed cruising. The ride isn’t too hard even given the usual optional 20s running 335mm rubber, which is supercar wide. Space inside is also fine up front and for the two people in the rear, though headroom is marginally less accommodating than the X5 thanks to the sloping rear end. 11 out of 20
Surprisingly comfy over long distances, and every engine makes for relaxed cruising. The ride isn’t too hard even given the usual optional 20s running 335mm rubber, which is supercar wide. Space inside is also fine up front and for the two people in the rear, though headroom is marginally less accommodating than the X5 thanks to the sloping rear end. 11 out of 20
Performance
Four motors on offer, two diesels, two petrols. The two six-cylinder 3.0-litre diesels use one and two blowers respectively, giving 0-62mph in eight (232bhp) and just under seven (286bhp) seconds. The straight-six 35i petrol has 302bhp and gets to the benchmark in 6.7 seconds and runs on to just under 150mph. The big hitter is the twin-turbo 50i, with a bi-turbo 4.4-litre V8 and 407bhp. It’ll hit 62mph in 5.2, bang it’s head on an electronic limiter at 155mph and scare everything this side of a Porsche 911. We wish we were kidding. 17 out of 20
Four motors on offer, two diesels, two petrols. The two six-cylinder 3.0-litre diesels use one and two blowers respectively, giving 0-62mph in eight (232bhp) and just under seven (286bhp) seconds. The straight-six 35i petrol has 302bhp and gets to the benchmark in 6.7 seconds and runs on to just under 150mph. The big hitter is the twin-turbo 50i, with a bi-turbo 4.4-litre V8 and 407bhp. It’ll hit 62mph in 5.2, bang it’s head on an electronic limiter at 155mph and scare everything this side of a Porsche 911. We wish we were kidding. 17 out of 20
Cool
You will notice that no letters of the word 'cool' are contained within 'BMW X6'. This is no coincidence...4 out of 20
You will notice that no letters of the word 'cool' are contained within 'BMW X6'. This is no coincidence...4 out of 20
Quality
As per the new X5, so a very solid performance from the BMW stable. Solid materials usage, good detailing, panel gaps that fit. This is a nicely finished car, even if it is built in America. 13 out of 20
As per the new X5, so a very solid performance from the BMW stable. Solid materials usage, good detailing, panel gaps that fit. This is a nicely finished car, even if it is built in America. 13 out of 20
Handling
Distorts what you expect from something with this high-looking C-of-G. The X6 covers ground, rough or otherwise with the same determination as a Bowler Nemesis, except with nice leather and a decent radio. Body control is superb, traction is always without peer thanks to xDrive, DPC (dynamic Performance Control) and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control). It will surprise you. You will still hate the way it looks. 16 out of 20
Distorts what you expect from something with this high-looking C-of-G. The X6 covers ground, rough or otherwise with the same determination as a Bowler Nemesis, except with nice leather and a decent radio. Body control is superb, traction is always without peer thanks to xDrive, DPC (dynamic Performance Control) and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control). It will surprise you. You will still hate the way it looks. 16 out of 20
Practicality
Vision is limited thanks to that shape - the rear 'screen is a slot. There are only four seats and the boot is smaller than an X5's - but not by as much as you might imagine. The rear hatch lip is also very high - you’ll be struggling to get things out of the back if you’re short - though there is a very handy under-floor storage bin for hiding stuff. 11 out of 20
Vision is limited thanks to that shape - the rear 'screen is a slot. There are only four seats and the boot is smaller than an X5's - but not by as much as you might imagine. The rear hatch lip is also very high - you’ll be struggling to get things out of the back if you’re short - though there is a very handy under-floor storage bin for hiding stuff. 11 out of 20
Running costs
Expensive. All hit the max tax bracket, and you’ll be fuelling that 50i with everything you’ve got. Best just set fire to your wallet and have done. Best will be the single-turbo diesel, but this is still a big car with an appetite. 1 out of 20
TG Tips
Expensive. All hit the max tax bracket, and you’ll be fuelling that 50i with everything you’ve got. Best just set fire to your wallet and have done. Best will be the single-turbo diesel, but this is still a big car with an appetite. 1 out of 20
TG Tips
Audi A4
The new Audi A4 is the first in a new generation of Audis (A5, R8 included) that have learned how to ride. A wonderfully engineered bit of kit that still manages to be just that little bit boring.
Comfort
So, so much better than A4s of old, the new car is quiet, comfy and composed - especially on long motorway hauls. There's so much more space than the old model the new A4 feels like it comes from the class above.13 out of 20
So, so much better than A4s of old, the new car is quiet, comfy and composed - especially on long motorway hauls. There's so much more space than the old model the new A4 feels like it comes from the class above.13 out of 20
Performance
Most people will opt for the company credit 2.0-litre TDI with 140bhp and that's a reasonably quick car with 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds and a 134mph top end. The 1.8-litre TFSI petrol turbo is quicker but more thirsty. The engine that really stands out is the 3.0-litre V6 with Quattro - it's fast and relatively cheap to run.14 out of 20
Most people will opt for the company credit 2.0-litre TDI with 140bhp and that's a reasonably quick car with 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds and a 134mph top end. The 1.8-litre TFSI petrol turbo is quicker but more thirsty. The engine that really stands out is the 3.0-litre V6 with Quattro - it's fast and relatively cheap to run.14 out of 20
Cool
Are a nice pair of slacks cool? No. Do they do the job? Yes. The new A4 is a nice pair of slacks.9 out of 20
Are a nice pair of slacks cool? No. Do they do the job? Yes. The new A4 is a nice pair of slacks.9 out of 20
Quality
As with all Audi product recently the quality is high and the finish superlative.16 out of 20
As with all Audi product recently the quality is high and the finish superlative.16 out of 20
Handling
A supremely competent car, the A4 never loses composure and loves tasty back roads.Both the front-wheel drive and Quattro variants shade towards understeer, but thanks to excellent body control and a well-sorted chassis you can really crack on. Not quite a BMW 3-series though.12 out of 20
A supremely competent car, the A4 never loses composure and loves tasty back roads.Both the front-wheel drive and Quattro variants shade towards understeer, but thanks to excellent body control and a well-sorted chassis you can really crack on. Not quite a BMW 3-series though.12 out of 20
Practicality
Plenty of room in the new A4 - the boot is a generous 480 litres and the cabin space is really very good - even in the back. There are also front, side and curtain airbags as standard.11 out of 20
Plenty of room in the new A4 - the boot is a generous 480 litres and the cabin space is really very good - even in the back. There are also front, side and curtain airbags as standard.11 out of 20
Running costs
Low-ish company car tax brackets for the smaller-engined petrol 1.8-litre TFSi and the 2.0-litre diesel, with the diesel achieving 51.4mpg. Then again, the A4 is a good value buy as long as you stay off the tempting options list.7 out of 20
TG Tips
Low-ish company car tax brackets for the smaller-engined petrol 1.8-litre TFSi and the 2.0-litre diesel, with the diesel achieving 51.4mpg. Then again, the A4 is a good value buy as long as you stay off the tempting options list.7 out of 20
TG Tips
BMW 7 Series
An all-new Seven that actually doesn’t look like it. It’s a great car – but some reservations about the ride and driving dynamics remain. Which is a weird thing to say about any BMW. Engines and gearboxes are superlative though.
Comfort
New suspension that can cycle between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus is a boon, but the big Seven never really settles in any of the modes. There's too much wind noise, too much bobble and far too much tweakery through the steering - the old car was better. Ooops. Still, we're talking about degrees of issues - it's lovely if you've come from, say, a 5-Series, but Merc S-Class owners won't be impressed. 12 out of 20
New suspension that can cycle between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus is a boon, but the big Seven never really settles in any of the modes. There's too much wind noise, too much bobble and far too much tweakery through the steering - the old car was better. Ooops. Still, we're talking about degrees of issues - it's lovely if you've come from, say, a 5-Series, but Merc S-Class owners won't be impressed. 12 out of 20
Performance
You can't argue with the way any of the variants goes in this generation - there isn't a duffer in this bunch. The best is the 730d - it hits 62mph in 6.9 seconds and 153mph with 40mpg economy. If you want the big hitter, then you need the 750i; 4.4 litres of twin-turbo power, 407bhp, 425lb ft of torque - it's fast and surprisingly fun - if you really need more than 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds and a limited 155mph top end, then you're a faster driver than us... 17 out of 20
You can't argue with the way any of the variants goes in this generation - there isn't a duffer in this bunch. The best is the 730d - it hits 62mph in 6.9 seconds and 153mph with 40mpg economy. If you want the big hitter, then you need the 750i; 4.4 litres of twin-turbo power, 407bhp, 425lb ft of torque - it's fast and surprisingly fun - if you really need more than 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds and a limited 155mph top end, then you're a faster driver than us... 17 out of 20
Cool
The gadgets on the Seven make it cool in itself, even if it is a bit sober-suited. Side-view cameras, infra-red head-up, speed-limit readers, four-wheel steer - it has it all. And there's something cool in it being quite quiet-looking - you just don't expect what it serves up. 12 out of 20
The gadgets on the Seven make it cool in itself, even if it is a bit sober-suited. Side-view cameras, infra-red head-up, speed-limit readers, four-wheel steer - it has it all. And there's something cool in it being quite quiet-looking - you just don't expect what it serves up. 12 out of 20
Quality
The ride and wind noise issues might bother you if you're a sound-specialist, but otherwise the quality is top end. The cabin has a massive multimedia screen, the iDrive is now properly sorted - it's a very good thing. There's something about sitting in the driving seat of a big BMW that feels right. 13 out of 20
The ride and wind noise issues might bother you if you're a sound-specialist, but otherwise the quality is top end. The cabin has a massive multimedia screen, the iDrive is now properly sorted - it's a very good thing. There's something about sitting in the driving seat of a big BMW that feels right. 13 out of 20
Handling
Four-wheel steer (a first on a BMW) gives stability at high speeds and a real smile when you try to park - it's got a great turning circle. It does the usual trick of shrinking when you go faster - but the steering is possibly a little too ‘connected'. For this class of car everything needs to be a bit more wafty - the German connection seems to have forgotten.15 out of 20
Four-wheel steer (a first on a BMW) gives stability at high speeds and a real smile when you try to park - it's got a great turning circle. It does the usual trick of shrinking when you go faster - but the steering is possibly a little too ‘connected'. For this class of car everything needs to be a bit more wafty - the German connection seems to have forgotten.15 out of 20
Practicality
The new Seven is biiiiiig. There's space for Playboy Bunnies galore, or hefty business guts. The boot is huge, and you get a massive range from a 730d. Even parking is easy - radar parking sensors and that turning circle work in the real world. 14 out of 20
The new Seven is biiiiiig. There's space for Playboy Bunnies galore, or hefty business guts. The boot is huge, and you get a massive range from a 730d. Even parking is easy - radar parking sensors and that turning circle work in the real world. 14 out of 20
Running costs
The 730d is remarkably useful - you'll get 39.2mpg, under 192g/km of C02. Ok, so it's a bit expensive and insurance is high, but it's worth it. If you want to simply ignore any credit crunchery, then go for that 750i - 23mpg (which isn't that bad considering the performance) and group 19 insurance.
TG Tips
The 730d is remarkably useful - you'll get 39.2mpg, under 192g/km of C02. Ok, so it's a bit expensive and insurance is high, but it's worth it. If you want to simply ignore any credit crunchery, then go for that 750i - 23mpg (which isn't that bad considering the performance) and group 19 insurance.
TG Tips
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
