So Much News, So Little Time

Another post at last, apologies for the delay, student-ing gets right in the way sometimes. The upside of taking a back seat from motoring matters for a few weeks to concentrate in the inconvenient obstacles of education is that there's plenty going on to have a think about during a weekend lapse. So here's some odds and ends worth a mention on the blog.

Great to see Jaguar taking a brief centre stage at the royal wedding last week. (Yeah, bet you thought you could escape news about that little event by now right?) The XJ which swept the mother of the bride to Westminster Abbey was so fitting: eminently British, but contemporary, like much of the day itself.

Alongside the pompous, ostentatious Bentleys, and incoherent Volkswagen minibuses, the black XJ appeared statesmanlike, graceful, and gorgeous. Another reason for being proud to be British on the 29th.


Plaudits for the other automotive stroke of genius evident of the big day go to the Prince of Wales for loaning his Aston Martin DB6 Volante to the happy couple fore one last parade down The Mall.

Yes, pessimists, I'm aware Jaguar is still in foreign ownership, funded by foreign money. But the XJ, like the entire (and fabulous) current Jaguar range was designed, tested, and is built in England. It's built two postcodes away from my current residence. When Sir William Lyons' legacy is turning out such fine automobiles, it is in my opinion inconsequent what nationality the head accountants are.

Jaguar is actually on something of a roll. The facelifted XK is even more feline, the XF now with the C-XF's face it always deserved. Now they've promised to produce the £700k C-X75 within 2 years, fully road legal, with Williams F1 know-how throughout. Veyron performance, hybrid emissions, and a new era for the 'Grace, Pace, and Space' big cat. Fingers crossed it's not in the same vein as Lotus' hubristic new range.

Speaking of black XJs...


Snapped this beauty while on work experience at evo Magazine.

You can read and see pictures from my week's experience here (Evo site link)



Suffice to say it was one of the most enjoyable weeks I can remember. Thanks to all concerned. Now go follow the link and see what you reckon to my week from career heaven.

If you're back, time to put a quick word in for something altogether more unattractive and depressing. How exactly did this ever get to be the new New York cab?

The current fleet of Crown Vics and other Fords may be cramped for such a gargantuan car, and inefficient to boot, but they have a timeless appearance that's so New York. This new minivan really doesn't. Moreover, while we're used to public vehicles in Britain being of foreign origin (Mercedes ambulances, Skoda police cars, Volvo fire engines) how the contract for the NYC cab managed to escape the USA's resurgent car industry seems an unfathomable mystery. If any Stateside readers can elaborate I'd be very grateful! (Comments below)

My own set of wheels is now fighting fit once again. Indicator circuit repaired and heater controls and valve at last  back off self-destruct mode, which is most welcome. The rip off price I paid to road tax the thing just a week after shelling out a three-figure sum for the garage repairs was less positive. I'd object less if I felt lucky to use British roads but for the most part they're dreadfully surfaced, inconsistently policed, congested abominations.

Still at least if the delightful local constabulary nab me for weaving in my lane, it's easy to explain I'm fully sober, and just trying to save my suspension, alloys and tyre sidewalls by avoiding the worst of the potholes. Rant over.

Finally, tomorrow's Turkish Grand Prix looks to be one of two stories.

One: Vettel is on pole, with spare soft tyres, defended by his team-mate Webber, so barring a disastrous clash like last year, another lights to flag victory is very much on the cards for the talented young German.

Two: the real action is at the opposite end of the grid. By dropping out of Q1 early with a hydraulics issue, Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi will be starting stone dead last. How utterly brilliant. The banzai Japanese maverick, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, fighting his way through the field, aided by KERS and DRS overtaking aids, and fighting crumbling Pirelli tyres. And the whole field will have to deal with the immense forces of the infamous double-apex Turn Eight.

Don't expect Vettel's shunt in Friday free practice to be the only moment of carbon fibre redistribution seen this weekend. Kobayashi: essential viewing.



There'll be an analysis post up later today, hopefully with plenty to chew on.

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