RE: Aston Martin V12 Vanquish: PH Buying Guide

Sunday 3rd January
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish: PH Buying Guide
The car that launched 21st century Aston and still in demand today - here's the PH guide to getting a Vanquish
The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish had a slightly faltering start to its life.

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish had a slightly faltering start to its life. Born as the Project Vantage in 1998 as a replacement for the ageing Vantage range, the resulting Vanquish was supposed to have appeared at the Birmingham Motor Show in 2000. However, Aston boss Ulrich Bez took exception to some of the more obviously Ford-sourced interior trim and pulled the car from the show.

Yes, you could really could get a Vanquish in 2001

By the time the production Vanquish appeared in 2001 with a £158,000 starting price, the Ian Callum-styled coupe was eagerly anticipated and much needed. Gone was the old Vantage model's V8 motor and steel tube-framed base in favour of a 5.9-litre V12 and bonded aluminium chassis that made extensive use of carbon fibre.

With 460hp as standard, the Vanquish came with a six-speed manual gearbox but no clutch pedal. The shifting was automated via an electrohydraulic, paddleshift operated gear change, though it could also be left in automatic mode. Aston Martin Works later offered a conversion tofor those owners who preferred complete control over the gear selection process.

The Vanquish was a steady seller for Aston, racking up 1,489 sales, but in 2004 the Vanquish S was introduced that offered a 520hp motor and subtle changes to the front grille, splitter and rear spoiler. These helped cope with the S model's new 200mph top speed.

520hp Vanquish S arrived in 2004

At the end of the Vanquish's life, the final 50 cars were themodel finished in metallic black paint and with unique trim and fittings. When the last rolled off the line in July 2007, it marked the end of Aston Martin production in Newport Pagnell. In total, 1,086 S models were made.

Now the Vanquish is very much a rising modern classic thanks to its limited numbers, beautiful looks, V12 engine and even a bit of movie fairy dust from its appearance in Die Another Day. Prices are rising and where you might once have snapped up a Vanquish for £40,000, today you will be looking at spending from £70,000 for a car with full history and reasonably low miles. For the very best late 2007 Vanquish S with low miles, you'll be looking at £100,000.

PHer's view :
"Looks, style, comfort, a V12 engine, huge performance and even some luggage space. All that and it's a pukka James Bond car. How can you not like the Vanquish?"
J Blythe

Buying Guide Contents :
Introduction

RE: Exmoor: Dream Drive

Friday 29th May 2015
Exmoor: My Dream Drive
PH heads out west for a Dream Drive across the wilds of Exmoor
Name : Mike Duff
Where : Exmoor, Somerset
Car used : Range Rover Sport SVR
The route :
"A veteran road rally organiser once told me his almost infallible method for finding good venues for events - 'head to where the people aren't.' And while most of Somerset's minor roads feel tight and congested, aiming for the unpopulated wilds of Exmoor gets you onto some brilliant tarmac.

"A veteran road rally organiser once told me his almost infallible method for finding good venues for events - 'head to where the people aren't.' And while most of Somerset's minor roads feel tight and congested, aiming for the unpopulated wilds of Exmoor gets you onto some brilliant tarmac. Time your trip well and you can pretty much have the place to yourself.

"From Taunton I take the A358 towards Minehead and then, after a couple of slow miles, turn left onto the B3224 just after Bishop's Lydeard. This starts out tight and hilly but opens up as it crosses into the Exmoor National Park. The only real navigational challenge is remembering the take the right fork a mile or so after the Raleigh's Cross pub. For the next stretch the hedges start to get closer again - this is one of those roads where you can feel like you're going properly fast without ever breaking the NSL. After Wheddon Cross - the most sizeable village hereabouts - I keep on the B3224 to Exford and then Simonsbath. Then I turn right and head north towards the coast on the B3223, a fast, flowing road across open moors that has served as the backdrop for numerous car magazine photo shoots. As you get close to the coast there are spectacular views across the Bristol Channel, all the way to South Wales on a clear day.

"After reaching the sea at Lynmouth there's a choice - either take the A39 along the coast towards Minehead or retrace your steps. The A39 is a lovely road, and has a spectacular clifftop climb as you leave the town, but it tends to get busy with holidaymakers and caravans. A good alternative is to head back across the moors to Wheddon Cross and then to turn south onto the A396, which will eventually take you to Tiverton where you can rejoin the M5."

Why it's a dream drive

"For sheer variety you'd be hard pressed to cram more into the distance - tight, hedge-lined lanes, fast flowing roads and then a chance for a blast across empty moors. And it feels like a proper journey, from the rolling valleys of agricultural Zummerzet to desolate heathland and then the sea. It's definitely best to try and hit it in the early morning, and on a quiet day you can go for miles without seeing another car. Most of the tourists tend to stick to the coast, so even in peak season Exmoor itself is rarely busy. It's a great place to extend a powerful car, but also a stern test of steering accuracy and body control (two areas where the SVR in the photos acquitted itself particularly well, despite its size). Picking something taller also lets you see over the lower hedges in tighter sections, helping you to spot approaching traffic on corners."

Highlights and lowlights?

"The B3223 north from Simonsbath is practically good enough to justify the trip by itself - open, well-sighted and with some lovely sequences. It's always hard to resist the temptation to turn around and drive it again. On the narrower and twistier bits of the route you definitely need to pace yourself, it's fair to say that life moves a bit more slowly out here and it's not unusual to come around a corner and find livestock or horses on the road, or even a couple of Land Rovers stopped door to door while their drivers have a natter. There are wild ponies and sheep to look out for on the open moorland too. Always consider the weather - few places feel colder, wetter and more desolate than Exmoor in the rain, and any low cloud will deny you the views that make the drive feel epic as it should.

"Also be aware of diverting off the 'main' route - most of the local lanes are almost comically narrow, with a road-laying diversion sending the SVR down what appeared to be a gravel driveway."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions

"Exmoor itself offers some great hiking, and the chance - as I once did - of finding mega-explorer Ranulph Fiennes honing his sled-hauling skills by pulling an old tractor tyre across the moorland. If you're in the mood for a walk then Dunkery Beacon, just after Wheddon Cross, is an easy climb and offers a spectacular vista from the top. There are some nice pubs along the way if you're looking for unpretentious grub, with more eating options in Lynmouth, although most of these seem aimed at catering for coach parties. Lynton, next to Lynmouth, has the Valley of the Rocks, which sounds a bit Father Ted but actually looks like a mini Lord of the Rings set. Just watch out for the feral goats.

"And Minehead is worth a stop if you want to know what British seaside resorts looked like in the 1970s - it's got everything from Kiss Me Kwik hats to a Butlins Holiday Resort."

Follw the route here .

Honda Dream Neo updated for 2016

Honda 2 Wheelers refreshes its lineup with the Honda Dream Neo, fifth motorcycle for 2016.

Honda Dream Neo

The 110cc Honda Dream Neo has got three additional colors to choose from: Black with Blue Stripes , Imperial Red Metallic and Geny Grey Metallic; besides the existing Black with Red Stripes . Honda has also added a chrome plated muffler protector and 3D emblem on the fuel tank.

The Dream Neo produces 8.25 bhp at 7,500 rpm and 8.63 Nm of peak torque at 5,500 rpm mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The company states that its HET engine delivers a fuel efficiency of 74km.

Elaborating on Honda’s focus on motorcycle segment, Mr. Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd said, “In line with our aggressive product strategy for 2016, Honda is bringing freshness to its award-winning motorcycle portfolio. We are beginning the new financial year with yet another refreshing value added upgrade of Dream Neo. We are confident that refreshed mass motorcycle of Honda will bring new excitement and provide tailwinds to the sentiments.”

Dream Neo will be priced at Rs 49,070 (Ex-showroom, New Delhi).
Dream Neo: Best Economy Motorcycle in Initial Quality at J.D. Power Awards Ceremony

The success and reliability of Dream Neo received a further validation when it received the Best Economy Motorcycle in Initial Quality at the prestigious J.D. Power Awards Ceremony 2015/ 16.

The superiority of Honda’s motorcycles continues as three more motorcycles – CB Shine (Executive Segment), CB Unicorn (Upper Executive Segment) and CB Unicorn 160 (Premium Segment) have been recognized as best in category per the JD Power 2016 India Two-Wheeler Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (2WAPEAL) Study.

Related Posts

RE: Chasing The Sun :Dream Drive

Tuesday 14th April 2015
Chasing The Sun: My Dream Drive
PHer Dan Thompson proves how an early start can unlock hidden delights, even in crowded Surrey
Name : Dan Thompson
Route : Surrey back roads medley
Car used : MGB V8
The route :
"The best bits of Surrey in around two hours, including a blast through the Hindhead Tunnel, and the excellent A272 from Petersfield to Wisborough Green.

"The best bits of Surrey in around two hours, including a blast through the Hindhead Tunnel, and the excellent A272 from Petersfield to Wisborough Green. Best to do this one early to avoid any commuter traffic and to give you a free run at the tunnel. This is a favourite of mine because it combines all the areas we have visited in the MG over the years, and there are so many of offshoots and variations that you'll never get bored. A good extension is to take in the roads south towards Goodwood - a favourite around the Revival, especially worth parking up somewhere in Midhurst to watch all the classics en route.

"The route starts anywhere near the A3, I just happened to start in Woking, at 5am! I had got the car set up the night before as I was keen to make the most of it and had to fill the tanks. I had also rented a pair of GoPros to try and get some on car footage, so I gave the car a quick run at 10 the previous evening, just so the neighbours would know what was making the noise the following morning when I set off."

Why it's a dream drive:
"I had done some man maths beforehand, which has proven to be correct as I don't have a speeding ticket (touch wood). Basically the Hindhead tunnel is 1.5 miles long from camera to camera (please check it yourself on google maps), so that gives you 1 minute 17 seconds to plod along doing well under the 70 mph limit. Geeky I know, but well worth it, just do it early enough and the only traffic is London bound, and any southbound is in the nearside lane.

"The rest of the route down the A3 was basically a good excuse to get the oil warmed up and the engine running sweetly. I never tire of the sound of the V8, and I plan to have many more in future. Once the A3 reaches near Petersfield you can pick your way onto the A272, either directly off the A3 or as I did via Liss, Hillbrow and Rogate. I loved the way the B-road wound its way up and over as the sun was rising through the trees. This time of year makes it a perfect route to do west to east, I just went on a perfect weather forecast the previous day, and took my chance, packing the cameras and kit the night before."

Highlights and lowlights:
"The A272 had a few cars on it, but a short wait in a couple of lay-bys for the next car gave me a good empty run on most of the road. The road has a fair number of 40mph limits, but it doesn't have to be done quickly, especially when the car makes 40 feel like 60, being so low and compact. The towns of Midhurst and Petworth are picturesque and there a few walled sections through which the exhaust note sounded fantastic. I went as far as Wisborough Green and took a left back towards Guildford, via Cranleigh, Ewhurst and Shere. I love the rocky sections on the roads that run north to south through the Surrey hills as the rocky cuttings are both dramatic and sonically awesome."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"I didn't stop en route, as not much was open at that time. But there are plenty of good pubs along the route. My favourites are on the way back in Shere, being the William Bray and the supposedly haunted White Horse, as well as the tucked away Stephan Langton. My main aim was to stop at Newlands Corner, but I had the added bonus of an excellent bacon sandwich at the roadside in the lay-by on the A25 just out of Shere.

"I can't get enough of the view from Newlands Corner, it reminds me slightly of one called 'Surprise View' in Derbyshire somewhere near Froggatt Edge."

Follow the route here .

RE: PH in Dubai - My Dream Drive special

Thursday 20th November 2014
PH in Dubai - My Dream Drive special
A bit different from our regular B-roads, Dale's trip to the UAE throws up a true dream drive
Name: Dale Lomas
Where: Jebel Jais Mountain, United Arab Emirates
Car used: Jaguar F-type V6 S
The route:
"Resting like the proverbial diamond in the dirt is this, the Jebel Jais Mountain Road.

Hang on, wasn't the dune bashing in 4x4s?

"Resting like the proverbial diamond in the dirt is this, the Jebel Jais Mountain Road. Even in a small, car-loving country like the United Arab Emirates, its existence remains largely unknown. And yet it's one of the finest, and oddest, driving roads in the whole world.

"Leaving the city emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, you head into the dramatic mountains that mark the border with Oman. You'll pass a hostile-looking high-security prison and the road will get progressively worse. Speed bumps, pot holes and even rock-strewn dry fords.Eventually, just as you question your own sanity in bringing a sports car this far down such an obviously terrible road, you will hit a very modern, very well-surfaced roundabout.

"And that's where the real fun begins!"

Typical traffic on this petrolheads' dream tarmac

Why it's a dream drive:
"Firstly, this whole road, from the start to the curious dead-end at the top, is absolutely perfectly surfaced. Without flaw. And it's massively wide. At the bottom, before the hairpins begin, you've got two generous lanes with run-off each side.

"As the climbing begins, the road turns into three lanes. Your side, their side and suicide. Beyond each side there's some black gloopy looking unfinished hard-shoulders before the concrete barriers, should you really need every last inch.

"The speed limit is so low, just 40km/h, that it's universally ignored. The locals have a tendency to either do 20km/h (often with people standing up through the sunroof for a better view of the stunning mountains) or 220km/h. Think I'm exaggerating? We were passed by three McLarens going hell for leather. It took every last scrap of driving skill I had to even hang on to the leader's coat tails.

Literally the road to nowhere ... wonderful!

"Enthusiasts come from all over the Arabian peninsula to drive this road. On our day trip we saw plates from as far away as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia attached to a variety of sports cars. The majority of cars were SUVs and family sedans though.

"The hairpins are of a completely different flavor to the Alpine switchbacks you might be familiar with. The speeds are higher and there's so much space that you really can apply a racing line to most of them."

Highlights and lowlights:
"The local traffic is hard to predict at first. Until you realise that prediction is pointless. They will stop anywhere and do anything. Randomly. Sometimes parked next to the road, sometimes directly on it. In one instance on our trip a party of four SUVs blocked two out of the three lanes to have what looked like a 20-minute prayer session.

Scale of the scenery as breathtaking as driving

"Lane discipline is random. Most slower vehicles will point you by, but don't be surprised if they brake and move into the central lane to allow it. That happened twice on my three ascents.

"Drive your own car and don't rely on anybody else to do (or not do) anything."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Everywhere you look is a beautiful sight. The mountains are utterly desolate, but achingly beautiful. Every angle is a masterpiece in ochre, desert shades. The weather is typically 10-15 degrees Celsius lower than in the cities, so it makes a great retreat from the summer heat.

"There are a couple of official parking places as you make the ascent, each with a viewing point.

One day this will be a ski resort, apparently

"At the top there's a concrete barrier, though many of the other visitors in SUVs and even Evos and Imprezas continued on the unfinished gravel road to the top. And what's at the summit of this spectacular road? Nothing right now, but in the ultimate display of Emirates one-upmanship, it will soon an outdoor skiing resort.

"I'm not kidding. Dubai has an indoor ski resort, and Ras Al Khaimah wants an outdoor one. The slope will be refrigerated from underground and snow blowers will blast it with snow. Will it stick? I have no idea, but the official line is that it's snowed here twice in the new millennium (2004 and 2009) so nothing is impossible."

Photos: Dale/Sam North

PH in Dubai:
The track day
Dune bashing
Pic Of The Week
Ferrari 458 Challenge vs McLaren 12C Sprint with Dragon Racing
The GT3 showdown

[Sources:]

RE: West Berkshire loop: My Dream Drive

Thursday 23rd October 2014
West Berkshire loop: My Dream Drive
Getting up a gallop in a Ferrari F430 Spider through the valleys of the horses
Name: Chris Rees
Where: Newbury and the valley of the horses
Car used: Ferrari F430 Spider
The route:
"The journey starts in Newbury, a short hop off the M4.

Appropriate choice for valley of the horses

"The journey starts in Newbury, a short hop off the M4. From here, the B4494 winds its way north to Wantage, starting off narrow and twisty as it rises out of town, but soon opening up to offer a series of high-speed bends, changes of elevation and challenging cambers.

"Reaching Wantage, I point the Ferrari's nose west on the B4057, eventually picking up the B4001 to Lambourn, ground we'vein a more condensed Dream Drive. We're now in the 'Valley of the Racehorse' - so named because an estimated 1,500 horses in over 50 racing yards live and train here. Thank the springy turf and uninterrupted open spaces for that - it's pretty much the ideal environment to foster Ascot winners. Not bad for our own prancing horse either!

Roads like this are what it's all about

"After taking a right turn on the B4000 to Ashbury, it's impossible to resist a detour and head east on the B4057 again, as far as the turnoff for Uffington. Heading up this tiny road to the famous white horse carved on the hillside is memorable indeed - you're rewarded with simply stunning views across the landscape below. But at the top, right above the white horse itself, it suddenly turns into a rutted track more suited to 4x4s than Ferraris, so it's time to turn around and go back on the B4057 westwards.

"At Ashbury, I head for Bishopstone. Desperate to avoid Swindon, I'm tempted by a ring around the south. At Hinton Parva, a left turn signposted Foxhills takes you up a narrow hill and up on to some more fabulously open country. You pass over the M4, then go straight over a staggered crossroads (crossing the A346) heading towards Wroughton on the B4005. Once at Wroughton, it's time to head south on the A4361. Once again you climb up the landscape and reach glorious open country. With light traffic, there's plenty of opportunity for more sweeping cornering and opportunities to overtake slower-moving machinery.

That's a dream drive right there

"I reach the A4 and head west for a couple of miles where there's another white horse in the hills on the left just before reaching Cherhill. It's time to turn around here and head back east along the A4, which on this stretch is very little-trafficked and extremely wide. As a result, it's very easy to find yourself going, ahem, rather more quickly than perhaps you'd expected; and there are speed camera signs up here, so take care. The A4 remains superb all the way to Hungerford and on to Newbury, with plenty of stretches suitable for overtaking.

Why it's a dream drive:
"As someone who suffers the arterial cloggery of south-eastern English roads every day, identifying decent driving roads not too far from my Berkshire doorstep is a real obsession of mine. Luckily, not far west of Reading this series of valleys that really do it for me.

Pay heed to this sign...

"What better way to experience West Berkshire's white horses than in a car with a prancing nag badge on its nose? The Ferrari F430 Spider booked in for another feature is pretty much the perfect tool for the challenging combination of sweeping high-speed A-and B-roads, punctuated by spectacular views of the downs."

Highlights and lowlights:
"One thing is paramount on this route: keep a very, very keen eye out for racehorses. Approaching the town of Lambourn, a gamut of stallions suddenly appears on the road, performing a shuffle between stables. I haven't the first clue about horses but even I can tell that these animals ooze the sort of pedigree that would make the Ferrari a cheap nag in an insurance claim. It's time to haul up sharply and slot out of 'Race' mode, and shush the exceedingly loud exhaust. Unfortunately I can't shush the ultra bright paint and blingy gold wheels, which perhaps explains why the horses are passing by so nervously. In full auto mode, the F430 switches seamlessly from an intense gallop to the docile pace of a donkey through Lambourn.

A white horse, not a prancing one

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Avebury announces its presence with spectacular avenues of stones on either side of the road, imbuing an atmosphere of other-worldliness. And luring hundreds of tourists, of course. As I'm one of them, Avebury makes a great stop-off point. The Red Lion here is the only pub in the world built in the middle of an ancient stone circle - and in fact was actually built out of old standing stones.

If your stomach is growling there are several lunch options on the route. The budget one (well, not too expensive, anyway) is to hook a left to Stitchcombe and follow the River Kennet as far as Ramsbury, where you'll find- regularly voted one of the best pubs in Berkshire. If you're feeling flush, just as you reach the junction with the A34, take a left on to the B4000 and look out forat Stockcross - a very fine noshery, with prices to match. The wine cellar here is world-renowned, so take care choosing your favourite plonk. The most expensive bottle on the wine list is £8,880!"

RE: The route to Zenos: My Dream Drive

Thursday 4th December 2014
The route to Zenos: My Dream Drive
How better to start a Sunday morning than with a terrific B-road to a Sunday Service?

Name: Matt Bird
Route: B1077, Ipswich to Wymondham
Car used: Porsche Boxster GTS

See, there is an upside to the east being flat

The route:
"This route is a fairly simple one as, apart from a small diversion at Diss, it follows one route all the way up through Suffolk and Norfolk. The B1077 begins in Ipswich but I picked it up at Westerfield. From there it follows up through Debenham, Aspall, Eye, Buckenham and Attleborough until you hit the A11 and follow that into Zenos. It would surely be a great route for a Sunday Service based at a nearby sports car manufacturer too...

"When the B1077 reaches Diss you need to follow the A1066 for a few hundred metres. It's effectively the main route through and you'll soon see a sign to the right heading back to the B-road. It will be directing you toward Shelfanger, which is the next village along. And that really is it. Ipswich to Wymondham on pretty much one road and superb fun the whole way. It's ace!"

And it didn't even rain!

Why it's a dream drive:
"Much like, it's another example of a great rural B-road. There are sections with high hedgerows that feel quite narrow and place an emphasis on precise driving and then faster, more open parts as the fields are exposed. A fun road offers different challenges, right? There aren't too many settlements along the route either meaning you can establish a good flow most of the time, not always feeling like you're stopping and starting along a decent road. It's certainly not Wales but it's good enough.

"Furthermore, the B1077 runs along a similar route to the A140 from Ipswich to Norwich. The A-road should of course get you there faster (not always guaranteed with the A140!) but that does mean the B-road is even more sparsely used. If you want to get somewhere you would use the A140 whereas the B1077 appears to just connect the villages. And make for a dream drive. Driving at 7am on a Sunday probably helps with traffic too!"

Sports car and a B-road; perfect combo

Highlights and lowlights:
"Coming from Ipswich, you know the route has started with the long straight out of Ashbocking. The first few miles are quite narrow and populated but don't lose faith; leaving Ashbocking is fairly clear and then the dream drive begins.

"There's a great section around Quidenham as well, quite fast and especially well-sighted compared to the rest of the route. Many of course complain that the east is too flat but it makes picking out sight lines far easier. Add in a couple of tight bends it's a real highlight.

"The best part of this route though is about half way through between Occold to Debenham (it seemed to be most enjoyable this way but it's still excellent in the other direction). It put me in mind of Scotland actually, with parts of it relatively wide and then immediately followed by twistier section with railings to stop you falling off. With a couple of braking zone bumps it's a really rewarding and challenging few miles of road.

"Downsides? Whenever the B1077 does get anywhere near the A140 it become less enjoyable. Crossing it is usually a pain and of course industry is more likely to be based near the major road. So keep an eye out for 40mph speed limits and traffic at industrial units. Yep, even on a Sunday! With this being such a rural dream drive as well there are the usual warnings to heed. Mud can be on the road quite frequently, animals can pop out of anywhere and there are always tractors to be wary of. Finally, don't forget if you are in a convertible that the countryside can smell a bit too; you have been warned!"

Great roads and a good destination as well!

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Though it seems an awfully long way off now, there's an excellent car show at Helmingham Hall in August. If old houses and gardens are your thing it's probably quite a nice place to visit at other points during the year too.

"This wouldn't be a rural dream drive without mention of a country pub or two either. Obviously I was driving but I can point you in the direction of places that looked very nice.in Buckenham is located on East Anglia's largest village green (woo!) and is a 17th century Grade II listed pub (that's more interesting).in Attleborough also looked like one of those places where you could happily spend a whole Sunday afternoon if you wanted. And yes, Aspall is indeed where the cider is made!

"Or you could do what I did and go into Norwich from Wymondham and stuff your face with waffles at. The chocolate mousse comes highly recommended. There's a joke in here about excessive talking on trivial matters... Anyway, the B1077 is a great road. Go and drive it. And if it's on the way to a Sunday Service then even better!"

Follow the route

RE: West Berkshire loop: My Dream Drive

Thursday 23rd October 2014
West Berkshire loop: My Dream Drive
Getting up a gallop in a Ferrari F430 Spider through the valleys of the horses
Name: Chris Rees
Where: Newbury and the valley of the horses
Car used: Ferrari F430 Spider
The route:
"The journey starts in Newbury, a short hop off the M4.

Appropriate choice for valley of the horses

"The journey starts in Newbury, a short hop off the M4. From here, the B4494 winds its way north to Wantage, starting off narrow and twisty as it rises out of town, but soon opening up to offer a series of high-speed bends, changes of elevation and challenging cambers.

"Reaching Wantage, I point the Ferrari's nose west on the B4057, eventually picking up the B4001 to Lambourn, ground we'vein a more condensed Dream Drive. We're now in the 'Valley of the Racehorse' - so named because an estimated 1,500 horses in over 50 racing yards live and train here. Thank the springy turf and uninterrupted open spaces for that - it's pretty much the ideal environment to foster Ascot winners. Not bad for our own prancing horse either!

Roads like this are what it's all about

"After taking a right turn on the B4000 to Ashbury, it's impossible to resist a detour and head east on the B4057 again, as far as the turnoff for Uffington. Heading up this tiny road to the famous white horse carved on the hillside is memorable indeed - you're rewarded with simply stunning views across the landscape below. But at the top, right above the white horse itself, it suddenly turns into a rutted track more suited to 4x4s than Ferraris, so it's time to turn around and go back on the B4057 westwards.

"At Ashbury, I head for Bishopstone. Desperate to avoid Swindon, I'm tempted by a ring around the south. At Hinton Parva, a left turn signposted Foxhills takes you up a narrow hill and up on to some more fabulously open country. You pass over the M4, then go straight over a staggered crossroads (crossing the A346) heading towards Wroughton on the B4005. Once at Wroughton, it's time to head south on the A4361. Once again you climb up the landscape and reach glorious open country. With light traffic, there's plenty of opportunity for more sweeping cornering and opportunities to overtake slower-moving machinery.

That's a dream drive right there

"I reach the A4 and head west for a couple of miles where there's another white horse in the hills on the left just before reaching Cherhill. It's time to turn around here and head back east along the A4, which on this stretch is very little-trafficked and extremely wide. As a result, it's very easy to find yourself going, ahem, rather more quickly than perhaps you'd expected; and there are speed camera signs up here, so take care. The A4 remains superb all the way to Hungerford and on to Newbury, with plenty of stretches suitable for overtaking.

Why it's a dream drive:
"As someone who suffers the arterial cloggery of south-eastern English roads every day, identifying decent driving roads not too far from my Berkshire doorstep is a real obsession of mine. Luckily, not far west of Reading this series of valleys that really do it for me.

Pay heed to this sign...

"What better way to experience West Berkshire's white horses than in a car with a prancing nag badge on its nose? The Ferrari F430 Spider booked in for another feature is pretty much the perfect tool for the challenging combination of sweeping high-speed A-and B-roads, punctuated by spectacular views of the downs."

Highlights and lowlights:
"One thing is paramount on this route: keep a very, very keen eye out for racehorses. Approaching the town of Lambourn, a gamut of stallions suddenly appears on the road, performing a shuffle between stables. I haven't the first clue about horses but even I can tell that these animals ooze the sort of pedigree that would make the Ferrari a cheap nag in an insurance claim. It's time to haul up sharply and slot out of 'Race' mode, and shush the exceedingly loud exhaust. Unfortunately I can't shush the ultra bright paint and blingy gold wheels, which perhaps explains why the horses are passing by so nervously. In full auto mode, the F430 switches seamlessly from an intense gallop to the docile pace of a donkey through Lambourn.

A white horse, not a prancing one

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Avebury announces its presence with spectacular avenues of stones on either side of the road, imbuing an atmosphere of other-worldliness. And luring hundreds of tourists, of course. As I'm one of them, Avebury makes a great stop-off point. The Red Lion here is the only pub in the world built in the middle of an ancient stone circle - and in fact was actually built out of old standing stones.

If your stomach is growling there are several lunch options on the route. The budget one (well, not too expensive, anyway) is to hook a left to Stitchcombe and follow the River Kennet as far as Ramsbury, where you'll find- regularly voted one of the best pubs in Berkshire. If you're feeling flush, just as you reach the junction with the A34, take a left on to the B4000 and look out forat Stockcross - a very fine noshery, with prices to match. The wine cellar here is world-renowned, so take care choosing your favourite plonk. The most expensive bottle on the wine list is £8,880!"

RE: Yorks-Lincs-Notts loop: My Dream Drive

Thursday 11th September 2014
Yorks-Lincs-Notts loop: My Dream Drive
Just south of Doncaster lies an absorbing Dream Drive with some Cold War history too
Name: Dale Lomas
Where: Tickhill (S.

Tickhill (S. Yorks) to Gringley (Lincs.) and back
Car used:

Oh for a guarantee of no traffic...

The route:
"An undulating hour-long loop taking in the counties of South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire.

"It starts and ends wherever you'd like, but typically I'd pick it up and leave it anywhere between Rossington and Robin Hood airport (ex).

"Mostly it's technical roads interspersed by villages and junctions. Indicated by the often conservative speed limits, it's not the kind of road where you need three figures on the speedo to have fun. The twistiest parts are a nice reminder that fun in cars needn't be anti-social."

Why it's a dream drive:
"Most of it has been handed down to me from my parents, both of whom would enjoy 'scratching' from Sheffield to Cadwell Park every month in summer.

A twisty and entertaining route throughout

"Their tales of derring-do still echo through family gatherings today, with stories of Porsche Turbos versus CBX-1000s, run-ins with police Rovers and even my mum's Kawasaki H1 all remembered fondly. There's even a brand-new Metro Turbo running out of brakes incident, predictably enough!

"And despite it nestling at the top of the Fens, it's surprisingly hilly and wonderfully picturesque. Caution is required until you really know the roads, as there are plenty of surprising twists and obstacles. But that just adds to the charm."

Highlights and lowlights:
"Nearly every road here has it's own trademark corner, but one of my favourites is the blind crest leaving Rossington towards Tickhill, that quickly turns into a an all-too-short rollercoaster of bends.

Sweet villages aplenty if you want to stop

"Finding your own flow through the fields beyond Oldcotes is always rewarding, though you have to be respectful of every farmer's right to exit his property without being hit by a car.

"The narrow, walking-pace hump-back bridge at Clayworth evokes a sense of 1940s countryside motoring. Though I often imagine what it would be like to drive this in a WRC car with no oncoming traffic. There's also a fantastic view of North Lincolnshire after you leave Gringley On The Hill, shooting down into a quicker section of road with great visibility.

"Despite the changing pace of the route, with its many villages and junctions, my only lowlights would be the overly conservative 50mph on the very, very straight Bank End road, and the frequency with which the many rural level crossings can be shut without warning."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Most of this route is anchored around visits to the Mucky Duck, as my parents refer to the pub nearly Gringley (the real name is the White Swan). Not so long ago that car park would be full of fast cars and bikes every night of summer. Now it's abandoned, it feels kind of sad. But it's still part of my route, just for the history.

Well yes, it does look quite inviting

"The lap also incorporates a little of my fascination with the Cold War history of the region. The detour past the end of the runway (one of the longest in the UK) at the old RAF Finningley might even bring you a view of the last remaining flightworthy Vulcan bomber!

"The old rocket site at Misson is another Cold War throwback, and now houses a company specializing in flogging old military equipment and vehicles, aptly enough."

Follow the route

[Source:]

RE: Fosse Way 'bow tie': My Dream Drive

Thursday 28th August 2014
Fosse Way 'bow tie': My Dream Drive
You won't mind being sent to Coventry if you take this little diversion
Name: Dan Trent
Where: Fosse Way, Coventry
Car used: Honda S2000
The route:
"The Fosse Way in its entirety stretches from Exeter to Lincoln - file under 'what did the Romans ever do for us?' if you're in any doubt about its history.

No wonder it's popular with JLR test drivers

"The Fosse Way in its entirety stretches from Exeter to Lincoln - file under 'what did the Romans ever do for us?' if you're in any doubt about its history. Indeed, according to Wikipedia it never deviates for more than six miles from a straight line for the whole route. If that doesn't sound too promising as a Dream Drive then prepare to be relieved that, Roman road or not, this bit of the Fosse does have more than a few twists and turns.

"The section featured here is but a fraction, linked into a 'bow tie' shape with a couple of other local B-roads. We chanced upon it while shooting ourhaving picked up the car we were photographing from its owner in Coventry. Choosing some random squiggles on a map actually delivered a cracking drive."

Why it's a dream drive:
"Proof that you don't have to travel too far from urban conurbations to enjoy a proper slice of British B-road at its best, this little loop has just enough in the way of corners, elevation changes and sightlines to help you really enjoy the run. Sections of it can also be used to link major trunk roads in the area too.

Open sections permit generous sightlines

"Sure, Wales, Scotland and other more remote spots in the British Isles have more epic scenery and more expansive and quieter roads. But they're not always in easy reach of all of us and it's lovely to chance upon such fantastic roads in what's otherwise one of the busiest corners of Britain. Maybe we were just lucky - on the midweek morning we were there the road was pretty quiet and there was plenty of opportunity to enjoy the car and the surprisingly open scenery.

"The quality of the road clearly isn't lost on the engineers from Jaguar Land Rover either - the Whitley engineering centre is just up the road and we saw a couple of camo'd up prototypes being shaken down while we were there. We all know JLR products handle well; if this is where they get signed off it's easy to understand why."

Highlights and lowlights:
"The downhill plunge early on the B4453 down the sweeping right-hander and between the open fields towards Wappenbury gives a lovely view of the Warwickshire countryside and the road really flows beautifully. This is broken at Cubbington and the road linking back to the Fosse Way is narrower and more measured but back on the B4455 it opens out again and the undulating flow returns.

British B-road, summer sun, S2000 ... all good!

"The junctions crossing the A423 might slow you down a bit and the second section contains a length of A45 to tie in the return leg but if you can get a clear run on the B-road sections it's all worthwhile. Usual disclaimers remain though - this is obviously a well trodden route with cyclists, farm traffic and other road users of varying speeds. Use your head and time it right."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"There are a few pubs along the way if you're passing through and need refreshment. We'd stick to the villages rather than the ones along the main roads into Coventry though. Other than that theat Gaydon isn't a million miles away if your appetite for four-wheeled fun hasn't been satisfied.

[Sources: Google Maps,]

RE: The North Loop: My Dream Drive

Thursday 9th October 2014
The North Loop: My Dream Drive
Nordschleife closed?

Nordschleife closed? Don't worry, you're still in petrolhead nirvana with the local roads

Name: Dale Lomas
Where: Nurburg to Nurburg
Car used: Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Fast, flowing, well surfaced... it's paradise

The route:
"This isn't just a great way to spend 45 minutes when the track's closed, it's a fantastic route worth driving all on it's own. And it can form the basis of a whole afternoon, stopping whenever you see the Nordschleife or an interesting workshop.

"It starts and finishes in the village of Nürburg. You'll travel through the old village, past the new F1 track and then around the old Sudschleife (which is now a public road)."

Why it's a dream drive:
"There are altitude changes of over 1000ft at a time, and the scenery is some of the best around. The lay of the lands means that hairpins are common, but never repetitive. It's the same geography that helped shape the Nordschleife. But these roads don't have any restrictive opening hours, and they don't close for bad weather.

As challenging and fun as the circuit itself

"There's so much history in the area, you'll be driving roads enjoyed by petrolheads of all levels for nearly a century. From happy amateurs to multiple GP winners.

"While the speed limit of 100km/h on normal roads is fairly generous by modern standards, there's no need to break the law to enjoy these fantastic roads. They're technical, demanding and easy to enjoy."

Highlights and lowlights:
"After leaving the bright lights and concrete of the F1 circuit, you'll find yourself rolling down the hill towards Mullenbach. Passing the campsite entrance, there's a concrete telephone box on the opposite side. You're on the old Sudschleife. It's a cracking road, but it's so tight and twisty that it's hard to believe it used to be an international racetrack..

That time you really need a sound clip

"Most visitors rave about the road between Nurburg and Adenau, but the best driver's road by far is that from Adenau to Hohe Acht. It starts off fast and flowing, but as it climbs up and up, the switchbacks and hairpins start to take hold. It's beautifully surfaced too.

"It's used as a rally stage on occasion, and you'll be sharing it with all kinds of prototypes during the week. As well as us local residents, cutting towards the autobahn."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"There are so many places to stop on this route. Like I said, you can turn it into a half day's excursion if you want to. Everytime you see a glimpse of the Nordschleife, find somewhere to park and take a look. If you park at Brunnchen and walk next to the track, it's possible to walk to the Karussell within 20 minutes.

You'll share the road with test mules also

"Obviously you'll go past the Nurburgring Boulevard with its kart track and souvenir shops. But if you look at the map carefully, you'll see that I'm taking you right through the industry estate at Meuspath too. Look through an open workshop door and you never know what you might see.

"There are customer-facing shops, like Raeder and Getspeed. You'll also find brake pads, tyres and even race car builders occupying the estate. But some shops are not exactly walk-in, though staring through the windows at the supercar collections inside Black Falcon or Manthey is hardly a waste of time either."

Follow the route

RE: 'Kinlochring': My Dream Drive

Thursday 14th August 2014
'Kinlochring': My Dream Drive
PHer Nigel MacLean reveals his favourite Scottish loop and Susan Boyle's role in making it a dream drive
Name: Nigel MacLean
Where: B863 from Onich through Kinlochleven linked by A82 back to Onich (loop).

Car used: 2004 Ferrari Challenge Stradale

Probably quite fun solo...

The route:
"Of all the classic Scottish routes covered in the press and indeed on PistonHeads there is one that never gets the praise it should. The road in question is the B863 or what I have named the 'Kinlochring'. The Kinlochring can offer an alternative to Ballachulish Bridge adding a 20 mile loop to a journey on the A82 around Loch Leven through Kinlochleven. However, for my last tank of fuel I would drive the Challenge Stradale around the Kinlochring until the vapours ran out."

Why it's a dream drive:
"The CS arrived in Scotland 2004 and hasn't left since which is probably due to the B863. Let's just accept that the Kinlochring is a great road and the CS is the best car I have ever driven on it. To move the Kinlochring from a great to a dream drive requires dry conditions and no traffic. From a learner in an Mk3 Escort in 1992 and over a back catalogue of cars I wondered how I could find a way to close my favourite road off exclusively for the use of the CS in the summer. Typically, there was no chance of planning a road closure for the benefit of one individual even if it was a B-road in Scotland and a screaming V8 Ferrari.

Simulating an event which closed the road for another reason left me wondering if it was ever going to be possible other than say New Years Day but the weather would be miserable at best. Strangely, Susan Boyle came to the rescue. In 2009 Susan Boyle walked onto the stage of Britain's Got Talent and captured the hearts of the UK and beyond with 'I Dreamed a Dream'.

... but in a convoy? Wow.

Like everyone I was stunned with Susan Boyle's voice but it was only a few weeks later it occurred to me the massive effect she would have on the Kinlochring. Scotland embraced SuBo and her popularity began to shut down Scotland on a Saturday evening. It was when she made the final that I struck dream drive gold. The BGT final 2009 was on a Saturday night in August and I was ready. The roads had been busy all day and the sun bright in the sky but as the time came for BGT it was as if Scotland had closed and the time had finally come.

The CS was fired up and left for 20 minutes for all fluids to reach operating temperature. As I left my drive in Onich just a mile from the start of the B863 on the North side of the Ballachulish Bridge on the A82 I didn't tell a sole where I was going but they were crowded around the TV anyway. The drive that followed was a full 20 mile loop of bone dry, traffic free, pothole free, up and down left and right tarmac circumvention of Loch Leven on the B863 at the limits of my capability and in many cases the CS too. The howl of it in Race mode through the oak tree-canopied north side of the B863 on the 'roller coaster' section near Caolasnacon stands out along with many other sections which arrive one after the other like chapters of a dream drive book. Having just come back from driving the Route Napoleon in a GT3 the B863 lacks the overall distance and the mountain pass switchbacks of the N85 but it offers a highly concentrated 20 mile hit of N85. The best feedback is from my petrolhead friends who regard it as one of the best roads they have ever driven on from the first lap.

How far away is Scotland really?

Highlights and lowlights:
"The most important highlight is getting the direction of travel on the B863 correct. In my opinion the road should be driven clockwise starting on the A82 at Ballachulish Bridge. You drive past St Brides primary school (slowly) through a small collection of houses and in around a quarter of a mile a canopy of trees covers the road and you fall down to a fantastic 'S' bend while climbing up to a crest with a rock on the left and a 60ft drop to Bishops bay on the right.

For the next mile there is a series of climbing bends to a sharp turn to the right where you must reduce speed down to the fish farm at the bottom. You are now at the Callert Estate section and right alongside Loch Leven with Glencoe in the background and lovely sweeping bends along the walled perimeter of the main house. A rise in the road following this section can throw you off and you're then in what the best four miles of left, right, up and down tarmac available all the way to the village of Kinlochleven.

Many choose to turn around and drive back the way they came but although I agree the North side or low road is best it can be driven where you feel you want a rest on the way back and the south section or the high road through to Glencoe village offers a fantastic view and a different driving experience of what is essentially the mirror road image of what you have just driven. There is a viewpoint car park about a mile from Kinlochleven which offers a picnic table and a fantastic view of the loch. If you are lucky you can hear the noise of a CS V8 some evenings echo up the loch as you look down below.

Road means the 360 will be staying!

Finally you will roll up at the T junction where the B863 meets the A82 in Glencoe village. You can pop into Crafts and Things on the opposite side of the road for a cheese toastie or/and head back North to where you started on a wide open and fairly boring section of trunk road. The most likely is that you will go for a second lap so consider leaving your passenger at Crafts and Things.

Sights, stop-offs and diversions
Family friends own and operate therestaurant which sits on the north side of the B863. The food is fresh and in some cases still swimming with a fast growing reputation so for an evening meal best book ahead. The signature dish is the seafood platter.

is on the A82 at Glencoe village with a nice range of snacks and hot breakfast options until noon. Not a bad idea to drop your co-driver off if they don't like the twisty bits and you can slide off for a lap on your own.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 Imported For Homologation

Mercedes-Benz has imported one unit of the GLE 400 into the country for homologation.

Mercedes-Benz has imported one unit of the GLE 400 into the country for homologation. The GLE is currently on sale in India with a choice of a four-cylinder diesel engine and a V6 diesel engine. A petrol engine will help the German company sell the SUV in the National Captial Region where diesel cars with over 2.0-litre engines are currently banned.

The GLE SUV is available only with two diesel engines which cannot be sold in the National Capital Region

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine producing 328 bhp and 480 Nm of torque. While the diesel cars get a new 9-speed automatic gearbox, the petrol car gets a 7-speed automatic gearbox. Power is sent to all four wheels.

Currently, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is available with a choice of two diesel engines. The first is a 2.2-litre four cylinder diesel engine producing 204 bhp and 500 Nm of torque. The second is a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 258 bhp and 620 Nm of torque. Both the engines come with a 9-speed automatic gearbox and power is sent to all four wheels. The GLE 450 AMG Coupe is also available in the country. It is powered by a 3.0-litre biturbo V6 petrol engine producing 362 bhp and 520 Nm of torque. The SUV gets a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

The GLE 400 is expected to be more expensive than the diesel models but cheaper than the AMG Coupe. The petrol-powered SUV will be followed by high-performance AMG variants like the GLE 63.

The diesel SUV starts at INR 58.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 69.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). and they compete with the BMW X5, Audi Q7, and the Volvo XC90. The GLE 450 AMG Coupe has been priced at INR 86.40 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine producing 328 bhp and 480 Nm of torque.

Source – Zauba

Related Posts

RE: North Wales: My Dream Drive

Thursday 17th July 2014
North Wales: My Dream Drive
Another panegyric to Wales, this time featuring the roads around Denbigh, Bala and Ruthin
Name: Matt Bird
Where: St Asaph to Nesscliffe, North Wales
The route:
"Following a nightmare race at Oulton Park , a route home incorporating North Wales seemed a good way to brighten my mood.

Car used: Caterham Seven

The rain held off. Just.

, a route home incorporating North Wales seemed a good way to brighten my mood. Was all the fawning over the roads true? Yes, in a word. So from Cheshire I used the A55 (or North Wales Expressway) to J27, the A525 down to Denbigh and the B4501 towards Bala. The route finishes on the B4391 and B4396, but not before enjoying the B5105. It's 100 miles in total, with quite a lot more either side travelling to and from but worth it. So worth it."

Why it's a dream drive:
"Because it reminds you why we all bother with driving in the first place. That perhaps seems a little hyperbolic but the combination of space, low traffic, breathtaking views and great roads make North Wales a really special place to drive. Doing it in a Caterham on a brisk morning with the roof down may have heightened the sense of excitement just a little.

And the roads are largely deserted too!

"Of course there's a popular three-sided collection of roads well trodden around these parts but I erred away from those to avoid any repetition. But the same points that so many raise about North Wales proved true on this route. There's a real rhythm to the roads, flowing through valleys and across hills allowing you to maintain momentum and decent visibility most of the time to pick out a line. Having a small car really helped here.

"The best parts though are the roads that hug craggy rock faces, weaving and writhing with the surface and having an almost hillclimb feel to them. Running through third, maybe grabbing second for some of the tighter bits and with the exhaust blaring into the cool air, it was bloody brilliant. Some of the faster, more open section perhaps feel less suited to a lower powered Caterham but that just allows more time to absorb the spectacular views."

This is why people rave about Bala

Highlights and lowlights
"Don't lose faith if the early stretch to Denbigh feels like Wales is all hype. Stick with it. The A543 past Denbigh is quite narrow and feels quite restrictive compared to what's coming but the B4501 past the Llyn Brenig reservoir is where the fun properly starts. It may as well have a start line on it, particularly as the horrible road chippings ended there.

"The best section is to follow however. Just before Cerrigydrudion and the A5, take a left for the B5105. The 16 miles to Ruthin are joyous, with a particularly enjoyable section of corners around the junction for Melin-y-Wig that present different challenges going both ways. Downhill affords great visibility to see through the left and right. I encountered one other car on the Sunday morning, then turned round at Ruthin and did it again. And then turned round at Cerrigydrudion...

"I have a photo of arriving at Llangynog also which would imply the B4391 leading to it was fairly special. Even the A5 is a decent dual carriageway if I remember correctly. Then you get to Shrewsbury and realise home is three hours away!"

A very convenient stop if you need one

Sights, stop-offs and diversions
"The Llyn Brenig reservoir is one of many breathtaking reservoirs in the area, likewise Llyn Tegid at Bala. Unsurprisingly th National White Water Centre isn't far away from the roads also if your prefer your adrenaline hit even more visceral.

"The B5105 goes through the Clocaenog Forest and of course you don't have to go far from Bala for the joys of the Snowdonia National Park.

is notable for literally being right on the road at Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr. It was too early to try anything from its Cask Marque accredited taps but would surely prove a great place to stop when driving at a more sociable hour."

Follow the route

RE: Loch Lomond - Campbeltown : My Dream Drive

Thursday 31st July 2014
Loch Lomond - Campbeltown : My Dream Drive
North of Glasgow is a very long way but the roads around Loch Lomond really are worth it
Name: Matt Bird
Where: Loch Lomond to Campbeltown Airport, A85 and A816, West Scotland
The route:
"The drive begins on the banks of Loch Lomond, the A82 staying close to the water until the A83 and then A85 take you west.

Car:

Roads always great, weather perhaps not

"The drive begins on the banks of Loch Lomond, the A82 staying close to the water until the A83 and then A85 take you west. At Oban get onto the A816 and track south past Loch Melfort and then through, well, not an awful lot really until Stonefield. Here the '816 is incorporated into the A83. Follow it towards Brackley and Loch Gilp (you'll know that when you see it!), a brief stint on the B8024 around Tarbert and then continue on the A83 all the way to Campbeltown. The airport probably won't let you max your car on arrival though."

Why it's a dream drive:
"This part of Scotland is quite sparsely populated as well as spectacularly beautiful. Ergo even 'major' roads like the A82 and A83 are a) relatively quiet and b) run through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, let alone Britain. Moreover, as the primary roads between a few Scottish settlements they seemed well looked after too. Again the fairly light traffic will help here.

If you could match car with road...

"The vast open expanses of water up here are totally captivating. Gorgeous weather on the days I was there certainly heightened the experience but to drive along huge lochs with sun glinting off the surface is a special experience.

"With so much space, lots of the roads are fast and flowing if not always the widest. Perfectly matched to the Bentley we were there for actually, the corners long and open, the straights stretching off into the distance. But don't think the route is dull by any stretch. Quick direction changes abound, the roads climb up hillsides and there are tighter, technical sections in the forest too. Here the two-ton Bentley felt less at home..."

Highlights and lowlights:
"There isn't really a lowlight to the route, just sections that are marginally less amazing than the rest. The very appropriately named Loch Awe is certainly a highlight; keep an eye out for the train station in the town and a very scenic track. Searching for trains shows it's a 13-hour journey from PH Towers there or thereabouts...

Views really are worth stopping for

"Traffic can be a bit of a problem. As major routes, sparsely populated or otherwise, you can come across trucks, tractors and other big stuff. On the stretches with good visibility overtakes are easier but in wooded sections that obviously becomes harder. And much more frustrating. Having a gigantic Bentley probably didn't help the cause either.

"For me the best section of road was after the stop at the (exceptionally nice). You'll see on the map that there's very little between Loch Melfort and Lochgilphead on the A816. Drag Streetview across and you'll see mile after mile of superb roads; twisting, turning and with more stunning views. That stretch alone is worth however long it takes to get that far north. Probably."

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"The route incorporates, a noteworthy stop for single malt fans. We of course couldn't make a stop at any distilleries during the drive...

Scotland does A-roads rather well

"Predictably enough the Cameron House hotel Bentley put the journos up in is a fabulous place to stay and is perfectly sited for further exploration of the loch and the surrounding National Park. In fact you can take your pick from lochs in the area, with Goil, Long, Eck, Craignish and Nant all on or close to the route

"As you travel further west Scotland becomes more desolate so it's worth bearing in mind that Loch Lomond is only about 30 minutes from Glasgow Airport. Just if you want a little less isolation. And as you are so far north, Fort William won't seem quite so far away.

"So there it is. Get the flight to Glasgow and rental car booked ASAP!"

Follow the route here.

RE: A708 Moffat to Selkirk: My Dream Drive

Thursday 3rd July 2014
A708 Moffat to Selkirk: My Dream Drive
The Highlands aren't necessarily the best place to drive in Scotland, as the A708 proves
Name: Danny Milner
Where: A708, Scottish Borders
The route:
From the spa town of Moffat, the A708 spears diagonally across border country to Selkirk.

Car used:

Fierce cambers and undulations abound

From the spa town of Moffat, the A708 spears diagonally across border country to Selkirk. For anyone heading to Edinburgh from the west of England, it forms part of a wonderfully rewarding and scenic alternative to the M74/M8, or taken on its own merits, it's a classic drive that dilutes the magic of the Highlands into a truly iconic stretch of road. Options to turn it into a loop are many and varied and, at 35 miles, there's more than enough room to stretch your legs.

Why it's a dream drive:
Hills and lochs, just a scattering of remote dwellings and a remarkable sequence of dips, crests and bends; need I say more? The Scottish Borders is frequently forgotten when debating Britain's best driving roads, but the A708 has to rank among one of the most testing stretches of Tarmac anywhere in the UK. There are technical challenges aplenty and it's riddled with awkward depressions and cambers that'll quickly separate the men from the baeys when it comes to chassis dynamics.

It was in fact a drive down this road that formed the impetus to finally spend some time adjusting the damper settings on my S1 Elise. Now, with softer suspension I have a far closer affinity with the handling and a car with immeasurably better road manners. More recently, I tackled it in the PH Fleet Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo - and, although it was a completely different experience, it was one that shone a very bright spotlight on its impeccable, rally-inspired dampers.

It's an hour without stops. A very good hour

Whatever your chariot, the A708 gradually ramps up the pace and difficulty, allowing ample time to get the fluids warm and the blood pumping. From Moffat it's lined with stone walls and hedges, which restrict vision and encourage a sensible tempo. Overhanging trees and narrow pinch-points further temper any early over-enthusiasm, so it's best to just settle in and enjoy the surroundings at first.

Soon enough, though, the vegetation falls away and the sightlines improve. Smooth, freshly laid Tarmac is a delight, but it's draped over a landscape that has been left virtually as nature intended. That means you roll with the plunges, float with the humps and continuously weave in and out of wee burns and clefts as it contours along the side of a valley.

After topping out at 338m, the undulations and cambers begin to iron out and the road descends into a long section of sweeping bends. Now you're hugging the shoreline of St Mary's Loch with the light flickering on and off as dense forests close in on the verge. Back out into the open and the road begins to buck and writhe once more. You'll reach a crossroads at the Gordon Arms Hotel; time to make a decision. Continue straight on to Selkirk, turn right for a brilliant, deserted, singletrack-to-double B709 to Lockerbie or head left for Innerleithen, Peebles and on to Edinburgh. Whatever choice you make, you won't be disappointed.

You won't find much other traffic up here

Highlights and lowlights:
It's hard to single out a few bits when the whole stretch from Capplegill to the Gordon Arms Hotel is so brilliant. But the parts that leave the biggest impression are the series of yumps and bumps west of St Mary's Loch (equally, try not to leave an impression on the road with your sump!) and the lengthy run alongside the loch itself. On a rather more emotional level, the feeling of flow delivered by the lochside section is also something special.

There are barely any houses on the route, side roads are virtually non-existent and the area has fewer signs of life than the Marie Celeste. What traffic there is can be safely dispatched on the numerous and well-sighted straights. Just keep an eye out for sheep and farm traffic. Other than that, I can't think of a single bad thing about this road.

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
An obvious place to split the drive is the Glen Cafe between St Mary's Loch and Loch of the Lowes. For a more involving diversion, continue past the café for a few kilometers before turning left onto a single track road. This heads up to the beautiful Megget Reservoir and spectacular Talla Reservoir, at which point, faced with such a stunning landscape, you'll probably ask yourself why the Highlands get all the attention.

Follow the route.

RE: Turner's Hill Road B2110: My Dream Drive

Thursday 5th June 2014
Turner's Hill Road B2110: My Dream Drive
A Sussex route for a quiet morning but well worth an early alarm call
Name: Matt Bird
Where: Turner's Hill B2110, East Sussex
Car used: Alpina D3 Bi-turbo
The route
"Once out of East Grinstead (follow signs for the train station and then take the B2210 to the B2110) the first roundabout on the Turner's Hill Road will point you towards, no surprise, Turner's Hill.

Empty and scenic? Result!

"Once out of East Grinstead (follow signs for the train station and then take the B2210 to the B2110) the first roundabout on the Turner's Hill Road will point you towards, no surprise, Turner's Hill. At Turner's Hill keep left to stay on the B2110, then when it meets the B2036 don't forget the right turn! It's then a case of following it across the Sussex countryside, through and around such delightfully named areas as Cinderbank Copse, Carroty Wood and Darkalley Gill. It then joins the A281 which can take you a long way further south or back up towards the M25."

Why it's a dream drive:
"It's a beautiful area of the world to drive for a start. Low hedgerows and open plains stretch out into the distance and help with sight lines at points but then other areas are quite deeply wooded, branches overhanging like the Trial Mountain circuit on Gran Turismo. OK, not quite that dramatic but it's still picturesque.

Well if you want a challenge...

"As the road has to negotiate fairly dense woodland in places, it snakes and twists to find the easiest path through and places a real priority on being precise with the car. It exaggerates the sense of freedom on the more open sections too as the rhythm becomes more relaxed.

"I actually drove a few of the other roads close to the B2110 in devising the route and found it similar elsewhere, meaning a fairly short drive can be extended much further in this small cluster of B-roads. The A281 provides a nice contrast at the end, less intense but of course also more prone to traffic."

Highlights and lowlights:
"The first section up to the B2036 is pretty special, combining a tighter woodland part with a more open run at Worth Abbey.

"There's a nice triangle that can be made later on too. Take a left at Handcross for the B2114 towards Staplefield and that will eventually run to a junction at Slough Green for the B2115. A right there will take back to the main route or the B2114 continues for a little longer. As I said, there was a fair bit of investigation done early in the morning!

Stint on the A281 a little less frantic

"The route back from any Dream Drive is always likely to be more tedious but for the Tuner's Hill Road it's especially poor because for many it will involve the A24 or M23 back towards the M25. Not exactly inspirational but probably worth it given the quality of the B-road!"

Sights, stop-offs and diversions:
"Enjoying the B2110 in the early hours of a Bank Holiday meant little time for stops. However, the sheer number of woods, forests and reservoirs proffer plenty of tourist opportunities if you fancy. The route is near to Wakehurst Place, Ardingly Reservoir and Nymans is on the B2114.

Furthermore though they were very sleepy so early in the morning, each of the small villages along the route appeared typically British; that's meant as a good thing! Small cafes, boutiques and pubs lined the high streets and would surely make for a lovely way to wile away an afternoon."

Follow the route

RE: Guy Martin's Wall Of Death: Time For Tea

Friday 18th March
Guy Martin's Wall Of Death: Time For Tea?

Everyone's favourite tea-drinking truck mechanic goes large with his latest stunt

Ever affable TT racer and tea enthusiast Guy Martin has just announced his latest TV project - a live attempt at riding the world's largest Wall Of Death. Yes, this really is happening and if you don't believe us just watch the trailer...

Somehow Channel4 has agreed that Guy's attempt to ride a 382-feet circumference Wall of Death will be aired live on March 28 at 7:15pm. PH2 actually spoke to Guy about this a few years ago and he said the plan was to do 100mph on the wall; whether or not this has goal changed is unclear but one thing is certain, it's going to be amazing TV viewing. Like most of Guy's other shows, he has enlisted the help of some top boffins to ensure everything goes smoothly and explain the physics of it all, so you can also claim it's educational as well as terrifying. Get a taste of it here.

Watch the video.

[Images:]

RE: Guy Martin's Wall Of Death: Time For Tea

Friday 18th March
Guy Martin's Wall Of Death: Time For Tea?

Everyone's favourite tea-drinking truck mechanic goes large with his latest stunt

Ever affable TT racer and tea enthusiast Guy Martin has just announced his latest TV project - a live attempt at riding the world's largest Wall Of Death. Yes, this really is happening and if you don't believe us just watch the trailer...

Somehow Channel4 has agreed that Guy's attempt to ride a 382-feet circumference Wall of Death will be aired live on March 28 at 7:15pm. PH2 actually spoke to Guy about this a few years ago and he said the plan was to do 100mph on the wall; whether or not this has goal changed is unclear but one thing is certain, it's going to be amazing TV viewing. Like most of Guy's other shows, he has enlisted the help of some top boffins to ensure everything goes smoothly and explain the physics of it all, so you can also claim it's educational as well as terrifying. Get a taste of it here.

Watch the video.

[Images:]

Renault is Working on Three New Offerings: MPV, compact SUV and compact Sedan

Renault Kwid proved to be brand’s step in the right direction – the direction of securing massive success in Indian entry level car market.

proved to be brand’s step in the right direction – the direction of securing massive success in Indian entry level car market. Gaining success might be easy in certain cases but retaining the same is never an easy task. Thus it will be interesting to see how this French manufacturer manages to cash on the stir created by their entry level offering. Company has already confirmed, soon to be launched, new versions of Kwid – the Kwid 1.0 and Kwid 1.0 easy-R AMT. Not confining themselves to this success story, Renault is now planning three new vehicles to further challenge Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai from left, right and center.

Renault Kwid ClimbeR concept showcased in 2016 Indian AutoExpo

Company successfully captured the nerve of Indian car buyers, who go crazy for anything which poses to be a SUV and Kwid is testimony of that. Now the next step is to extend the reach and add some more lucrative productsto their portfolio. Current hot segment of Indian car market is of compact cars – may it be SUV or sedan. The CMF – A platform is being heavily reworked to accommodate wider body styles and powerful powertrains and is named as CMF-A+. Currently, three products under development are: MPV (codenamed RBC), compact SUV (codenamed HBC) and a compact sedan (codenamed LBC). All these three products will use extremely competitive price tag as their weapon to penetrate the market, without much of a compromise. Expected to be priced below Rs. 8 lakhs, these cars will cater to 70% volume of total Indian car market.

After challenging Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon with Kwid, soon 1.0 liter and AMT equipped variant will stand up against Alto K10, WagonR and Eon 1.0. Early next year company’s next new product will be rolled out, most likely an MPV (RBC), which will compete against Ertiga. Which one out of compact SUV and compact sedan will follow the RBC is yet to be come into picture. If company manages to offer a smart car at an attractive price, like Kwid, in any segment, success will follow them for sure. Company aims to have 5% market share by the end of this financial year and is willing to roll out around 1.6 lakh cars. In March 2016, company entered Top 5 car manufacturers, by sales volumes, chart. Will this modified platform, CMF-A+, serve the purpose to take this further?

Redi Go from Datsun will be heavily influenced by the Renault Kwid.

These launches are few months away now, till then let’s see what Datsun Redi-GO– Nissan’s first car to be based on CMF-A, brings to the table tomorrow.

Source: ETAuto

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Forget Electric Cars; This Flyboard air should be our mode of transportl!!!

Flying has been the ultimate dream of the human species.

Flying has been the ultimate dream of the human species. In the endeavour to fly, our superior brains developed the aeroplanes but for long distances. Then there was the jet-suit which strapped rockets to our arse literally, propelling you like an iron man in the air. But then too, it is too fast for our everyday commute. Today, I came across something that I want as a means of travel that could certainly beat the traffic easily.

Franky Zapata, the brain behind the insane water sport of fly boarding has developed a  jet-powered Flyboard Air hovering well above the ground surface.

Watch the video here:

The video shows a guy atop the Flyboard Air, flying well above the ground (probably 30-50 feet) comfortably cruising at speeds of 30-50 kmph. This kind off reminds of the Goblin Glider from the 2002 Spiderman movie, just that, then it was a figment of imagination and today it is the reality.

The prototype flew at a maximum speed of 55 kmph with a flight time of 3.55 minutes. However, the company has claimed that it could reach heights of 10,000 meters and move with speeds of around 150 kmph when fully developed.

At the extreme left is a jet ski which looks tiny from this height

It might seem impractical and accident prone but technology evolves rapidly and the problems would be solved with time. Don’t think so? Remember less than a decade ago we thought driverless cars are far fetched.. here they are and by the end of the decade, the driverless tech might become mainstream rather than niche.

Recently, we have seen all kinds of skateboards, electric skateboards, hoverboards, electric unicycles, self-balancing one wheels but the Flyboard Air is something that is the most fascinating of them all. Imagine going to work beating the peak hour traffic, flying over the cars!! I want this far more than the electric cars, specifically the Tesla that I almost fantasize about!

2016 Tesla Model S updated

Tesla Model S received an update for the 2016 year model with a revised front and few other updates.

The 2016 Tesla Model S (bright red) looks more classy compared to the previous model

Tesla Model S basic design has not been tinkered with a lot and only the changes at the front end are noticeable at first glance. Gone is the traditional car like faux radiator grille which has been replaced by a simple and more appealing Tesla logo held in a slim lip. The sides and rear have been left unchanged.

On the technical front, new model will get a larger 48 amp charger, up from 40 amps which will help charge the car slightly faster. Model X’s HEPA air filtration system, designed to keep the cabin air super clean will also be available on the Model S from now on. Two new interior decor options, dark ash wood and figured ash wood have been added to the list to choose from.

2016 Tesla Model S

Teslahas improved the range on the cars slightly with the website quoting that 90 D goes from 294 miles instead of the previous 270 , while the high-performance P90 D goes from 270 miles which is an increase of 17 miles.  There was a rumour of a possible P100 D which will have a 100 kWh battery pack but there has been no word from Tesla on that front.

The Tesla Model S is a full-electric sedan with tremendous performance and has always been one of the first cars to receive new technologies from Tesla. Recently, it was updated with the Summon functionin the United Kingdom. The most powerful Ludicrous edition of the car puts out total power output of 532 bhp and 967 Nm, accelerating from 0-100 kmph in a ludicrously fast 2.8 seconds and has a range of over 400 kilometres on a single charge.

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Ferrari 488 Spider Configurator launched

Everybody loves to spec up their cars.

Everybody loves to spec up their cars. Everyone has it done in a virtual world playing NFS, GTA and all sort of games. This time, things are getting real. Ferrari has gone ahead and built a configurator to help you build the car of your dreams.

Ferrari 488 Spider Configurator gives choices to choose external color

The Ferrari 488 Spider Configurator  has every possible option to mix and match from the endless choices on offer. The colors options range from solid to metallic and historical to special. There are six choices for the 20-inch rims with different designs and also the brake callipers can be chosen to go along with the colors of the car or contrast.

If it’s a sports car then carbon fibre is the name of the game. Ferrari has provided 8 option to lose weight with carbon fibre replacements for front wing, outer B-post trim, rear air ducts, under door cover, side air splitter, fog lamp, carbon fibre engine cover and rear diffuser .

Similar is the case with interiors. Multiple choices are available for interior colors, leather trims, stitching, and carpets. The best seat style seat shape, seat belts and additional seat option and then some more options can be chosen as per your taste. The dashboard, steering wheel, carbon fibre dashboard inserts could help shave a few grams. Even the colors on the central tunnel could be chosen and it can be had in… you guessed it right, carbon fibre.

Few others like storage kit, handy fire extinguisher, telemetry kit and premium Hi-Fi system could also be ordered. Needless to say, all this is going to be bloody expensive over and above the eye popping price of 3.88 Crore in India.

Ferrari 488 Spider is powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.9 l V8 and is the successor to the revered Ferrari 458. The petrol mill produces 661 hp @ 8000 RPM and 760 Nm of torque at 3000 RPM. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

Configure your car here

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RE: PGM V8 bike: Time for Tea

Wednesday 24th February
PGM V8 bike: Time for Tea?

Thought eight cylinders in a motorbike really wasn't possible? Think again!

V8 powered motorbikes aren't new. What is relatively new is a V8 motorbike you'd actually want to ride.

With the honourable exception of Bill Lomas's Moto Guzzi 500cc racer from the mid-1950s, most eight-cylinder bikes have been silly things staggering under the weight of physically enormous Chevy car engines.

Step forward then the wonder that is Aussie Paul G Maloney's PGM V8, a beautifully packaged 2.0-litre V8 that is the thoroughbred racehorse to the carthorses that have gone before.

Billed as the world's most powerful production motorcycle, the PGM is powered by a purpose-built 1,996cc 90-deg V8 featuring sand-cast aluminium crankcases, 40 valves, a billet crank and eight 45mm Mikuni throttle bodies. That little lot adds up to a handsome 334hp at 12,800rpm (yes!) and 158lb ft at 9,500rpm.

Though it is a flat-plane V8, the PGM's extraordinary revvability must surely more than make up for any perceived shortfall in sonic character. The video can only give you a taste of what this must sound like in the open air through the Akrapovic titanium exhaust system.

Judging by the PGM's cycle parts spec, there's no reason to feel daunted by the PGM's riding experience either. It all sounds right. The seat height is a friendly 840mm - the same as a Kawasaki Versys 650 - and the wheelbase is 1,540mm, which again to give you some perspective is the same as a Triumph Tiger Sport or Yamaha XT1200 Super Tenere.

With carbon fibre bodywork the wet weight is a perfectly manageable 242kg, about the same as a Suzuki Hayabusa or VS1400 Intruder, distributed 51/49 front to rear. The suspension is pukka too with fully-adjustable 48mm Ohlins FGRT301 forks and an Ohlins TTX Mk 2 damper attached to a chrome-moly tube trellis front chassis and a CNC-machined aluminium rear section. To stop the beast you get 320mm discs up front and a 220mm rear, clamped by Brembo GP4 nickel plated calipers.

All very normal. The only thing that isn't quite so normal is the price: $180,000 Australian, or just over £92K at current rates. It is rather fabulous though.

Watch the video.

RE: Indian Scout Sixty: PH2 review

Tuesday 16th February
Indian Scout Sixty: PH2 review
Why Indian's rebirth deserves to have Harley-Davidson looking worried
Having been revived by new parent company Polaris Industries in 2011, Indian Motorcycles has gone from fledgling returnee to full-on thorn in the side of Harley-Davidson.

Having been revived by new parent company Polaris Industries in 2011, Indian Motorcycles has gone from fledgling returnee to full-on thorn in the side of Harley-Davidson. Not only does it have an ever-expanding line of large and medium capacity cruisers, Indian is also playing the heritage card very smartly (they just love reminding Harley that Indian was America's first motorcycle company) as well as attracting the young and cool crowd. Which is where the new Scout Sixty fits in. This is a smaller 999cc capacity version of the firm's 1,133cc Scout and is aimed squarely at Harley's Sportster model range, explaining the tempting price tag.There is one figure that screams out so loudly with the Scout Sixty it has to be mentioned from the off. You can own a Scout Sixty for just £42.33 a month if you sign up for a three-year PCP plan. Pay a deposit of £2,699 and you can ride the Sixty home for less than the price of a Sky subscription, which is amazing. The Indian's price tag of £8,999 sits well, with the smaller Harley Iron 883 costing £7,495 and the larger Harley Forty-Eight being £9,675. But the Indian is a slightly different prospect to the air-cooled Harleys. Not only is its water-cooled engine faster, the Indian's chassis is also sportier.

Cruising for a bruising
There are so many routes a manufacturer can take with cruisers nowadays. You have the heritage path with air-cooling, urban appeal with lightweight liquid-cooled bikes or performance cruising with a low and sleek look. Despite its smaller capacity, the Scout Sixty tends to sit more towards the performance end of the cruiser spectrum. And its motor makes more power than the larger capacity Harley models thanks to its water jacket and more advanced four-valve head.

And it also feels very different. Where the air-cooled Harleys have a more sit-up riding position, with a high front end and low seat, the Sixty puts you in a far flatter stance. At first this feeling of almost being perched on top of the bike is odd, but after a while it becomes more natural and is actually very comfortable. And unlike the Harley Forty-Eight with its pathetic 7.9-litre tank (the Iron has a more sensible 12.5-litre one), the Indian with its 12.5-litre tank means you might be sat there for a while.

Faster than it looks
While the Scout's liquid-cooled engine certainly lacks a bit of the character you get with air-cooling, there is little to complain about when it comes to its performance. The five-speed box (one less ratio than the larger Scout) may be more than a little clunky, but it is positive enough while the engine is surprisingly brisk. This isn't a lazy thumper, it is actually a reasonably rapid cruiser that would happily see off most air-cooled rivals while still retaining a degree of refinement. Compared to the dreadful Harley Street 750, the Scout proves that water-cooling really can be made to work on a cruiser and still retain a unique bit of character. Fair to say, the bike I rode did have a free-flowing Remus exhaust fitted, which helped.

Like most cruisers, when you introduce a set of bends the Scout's ground clearance is the major limiting factor, but I was impressed just how assured the Sixty was when leaned over and how easily it could be cornered. Getting a good degree of agility into a bike with a long wheelbase is an impressive feat.

Worth a look
Most people looking for a cruiser head straight to the Harley dealership, which is fair enough as bikes like the Forty-Eight give the heritage heart strings a firm tug. Personally I quite like the fact the Indian is a bit different and has a chassis and engine more aimed at performance. Due to the newness of the brand in the UK you will probably have to travel further to find an Indian dealer than a Harley one but it could be a worthwhile trip as the Scout Sixty is a surprisingly capable bike that might well convert a few non-believers. Especially with its £43 a month finance deal...

INDIAN SCOUT SIXTY
Engine : 999cc, 60-degree V-twin
Power (hp) : 78@7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft) : 66@5,600rpm
Top speed : 110mph (est)
Weight : 246kg (dry)
MPG : 45mpg (est)
Price : £8,999

RE: New bikes, old bikes and crashed bikes! PH2

Wednesday 10th February
New bikes, old bikes and crashed bikes!

New bikes, old bikes and crashed bikes! PH2

A new Triumph and Baz's 180mph spill in detail...

Somewhat unusually for this time of the year, there have been a few surprise late entries into the showrooms for 2016. Leading the way is Triumph's new Tiger Sport. Many assumed this more aggressive and sporty version of the old Tiger 1050 would fade away, but instead Triumph has given it a new lease of life with the same drivetrain as the Speed Triple gained last year. The Sport now has as standard ride-by-wire, power modes, traction control, cruise control and ABS while the styling has been given a sharper look and the brakes upgraded. No word on price as yet, but expect it to be roughly the same as the outgoing version as the Speed Triple didn't increase that much after its update. Triumph has also revealed two limited edition America and America LT cruisers. Only 25 of each will be made, they will boast unique paint by custom paint shop 8 Ball and John Bloor's signature will be on a certificate of authenticity.

Welcome Enfield's first adventure bike!

While over in India...
Slightly less exciting is Royal Enfield's first ever adventure bike - the Himalayan. Initially only for sale in India, the Himalayan uses (oddly) a smaller 411cc air-cooled single cylinder motor that makes 25hp. The chances are this will increase in capacity to either the 535cc motor as used in the Continental GT or the standard 499cc Bullet engine when the bikes comes to Europe.

Not forgetting Germany
A small bit of news from BMW, but pretty interesting nonetheless. BMW announced recently that its stunning retro bike, the, will be available with a brushed aluminium tank for 2016 in a Sport version. Costing £12,990 you can opt for either visible or smoothed welded seams and you get a high level Akrapovic silencer included in the package. How cool is that?

That's quite an impact...

And finally...bouncing Baz!
Technology can sometimes amuse and, if you are a bit of a crash vulture, this will certainly entertain. Loris Baz was considerate enough to be wearing a data logger in his Alpinestars race leathers when he hopped off during the recent Sepang MotoGP test. The data shows he was traveling at 181mph when his rear Michelin decided to call it quits and that Baz battled the bike for 1.9 seconds before being ejected, slamming into the track with a force of 29.9g on his left shoulder. Luckily for Baz he was wearing an Alpinestars Tech-Air race suit and the airbag system deployed, saving him from injury when he bashed into the track and then spent 6.6 seconds sliding down the start/finish straight! Isn't technology wonderful?

RE: Yamaha XSR900: PH2

Thursday 4th February
Yamaha XSR900: PH2
More retro hooliganism from Yamaha
Can you have too much of a good thing?

Can you have too much of a good thing? In the case of Yamaha's MT range it certainly seems not, as both the parallel twin and inline triple are currently selling like hot cakes all over the world. So it won't be a surprise to learn that the firm is busily capitalising on its success by using the MT's basic platform to create a raft of variations, the latest of which is the XSR900.

Yamaha makes them, people keep buying them!

Far more than just a stylised MT-09
Much like the XSR700 that PH2 reviewed recently, on paper the XSR900 appears simply an MT-09 with a few cosmetic alterations to make it appeal to the retro market. But this isn't the case; under the XSR's skin are actually some very significant updates. While cosmetically there are the standard XSR round head lights, aluminium details, round dash and black paint on previously shiny parts such as the exhaust and levers, it's what's inside that makes the biggest difference to the XSR. As part of a general MT triple range update for 2016 (the tweaked MT-09 is yet to be launched), the XSR's engine now gains a slipper clutch with a 20 per cent lighter lever action, the fuelling maps are refined, traction control is standard alongside ABS and, more significantly, the suspension's damping rates have been stiffened slightly. In short, the XSR rectifies the main criticisms aimed at the original MT-09 and then wraps the improved package in a great looking body.

Is it really that different?
The riding experience of the original MT-09 was dominated by one simple factor - the triple engine. But it wasn't perfect and the snatchy throttle response soon required a 'software update' from Yamaha to make it less abrupt. Having had a few more years to perfect the MT's fueling, the XSR now benefits from the latest maps. As before, you get the option of A, B and STD (surely they could have found a better acronym?) modes, but this time it is only in A mode that the fuelling is deliberately harsh and a bit too abrupt to be enjoyable. Riding in STD mode at no point did I think the fuelling wasn't perfect. But in fact the most significant advance the XSR has over the MT-09 comes from the chassis.

You can do this with the TC on...

Yamaha designed the MT-09 as a weird mix of supermoto and naked bike and as such gave it oddly long travel forks and soft suspension. While at a gentle pace this worked well, up the ante by braking or accelerating hard and it would rock back and forth on its suspension, ruining its composure. Despite having the same length forks, the XSR900 has vastly improved damping as well as a revised seating position (you sit taller and further back on the new seat and subframe) that make it handle far more like a traditional naked bike. There is no pitching in bends and you can brake hard into corners without the front pinging back and upsetting the bike's balance. Is it as good as a Street Triple? It's certainly not far off and that's impressive considering the Triumph is basically a stripped down sports bike.

Also new for 2016 on the XSR and MT-09 is the addition of traction control, something the Tracer debuted. While some may groan at a naked bike having TC, the XSR's system is extremely good. It has two levels of sensitivity and can be deactivated when the bike is stationary, which is all very well and good, but what impressed me was the fact you can still mess around with the TC turned on. In the least sensitive '1' mode, the XSR can still be wheelied off the clutch should you wish. Which I did, a lot!

Looks like being another sought after Yamaha

A better bet
When I first saw both the XSR models they didn't appear to be much more than a few bolt-on bits, but I was wrong. The XSR700 is probably a better bike than the MT-07 and, in the same way, I prefer the XSR900 to the MT-09. Not only does the XSR ride better than the current pre-2016 update MT, in the yellow 'Kenny rep' 60th Anniversary paint it also looks awesome. The only fly in the ointment is the fact this colour is limited in its production run; if sales of the XSR700 are anything to go by, potential owners had better get their skates on...

YAMAHA XSR900
Engine: 847cc inline triple, 12v
Power (hp): 113@10,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 65@8,500rpm
Top speed: 140mph (est)
Weight: 195kg (wet)
MPG: 44 (est)
Price: £7,849 (£7,999 in Anniversary yellow)

Quick vid.

RE: Yamaha origami: PH2

Monday 18th January
Yamaha origami: PH2
PH2 finds the perfect way to whittle away those dark winter evenings...
If your garage is a bit too cold and you have run out of things to fiddle with on your bike anyway, help is at hand thanks to Yamaha.

If your garage is a bit too cold and you have run out of things to fiddle with on your bike anyway, help is at hand thanks to Yamaha. For a while now Yamaha's global website has had a section dedicated to 'ultra realistic' paper craft kits and a kit that allows you to build a 1:5 scale 2015has just been added to go with the 1998 R1 and 2007 R1 models - but there is a catch...

The kit itself is free to download, however it contains 914 individual parts, spread over 54 pages of paper, and is fiendishly difficult to construct. That said, it is stunning in its detail and is broken down into five blocks to make it easier for novice paper crafters. It's hard to imagine how many hours it would take to build this 41cm model but, if you fancy a challenge, click onand let us know when you have finished it, we'd love to see the pictures.

For additional inspiration (you will probably need this by the second or third week of construction) look at the Paper Crafts Gallery of completed models of all varieties at the bottom of Yamaha's page, which are mind-blowing in their detail.