Archive for January, 2010

The ultimate test of a vehicle’s popularity is its sales figure.

And if you’re a true petrolhead, this list might sometimes make depressing reading. But it is not all bad news. The top 50 cars include some of the least inspiring vehicles ever, but they also show that the cars enthusiasts are passionate about can sell in the huge numbers required to make it onto this list.

So while it is a little disappointing that the Corolla tops the list, the presence of cult icons like the Beetle and Golf in the top 10, goes a long way to redress the balance.

And the Escort’s entry reminds us of great variants like the Mexico, RS2000, XR3i, Cosworth. Incidentally the Escort sold 4,105,192 units in the UK, which makes it Britain’s best selling car ever.

You probably won’t be surprised to know that Flux have specialist schemes which would suit every car on this list, from classics, to american sports cars. From the tiniest Fiat to the largest Chrysler people carrier or Ford pickup. And there are not all that many car insurance brokers who can claim that.

Two notes about this list:

1. I’ve put together the list in this format, because whilst I have found these figures online, for example at MSN cars, and the data is freely available via Wikipedia and others, I have not been able to find a handy to view table up to now.
   
2. These figures are difficult to interpret, and should really be used as a rough indication. For example, models such as the Golf and Civic have changed to become almost unrecognisable now compared to the original model. Other cars have borne more than one name or marque. Then you have odd cases like the Vauxhall Cavalier, which in this table appears in two places, because someone has arbitrarily chosen the dividing point to be based on the Opel equivalent’s name change. Should the two entries be added together, conflating all Ascona, Cavalier and Vectra models? Should the three model names be counted separately, even where they are the same car? But if we’re allowing this, why shouldn’t the Focus be lumped in with the Escort it replaced? It just goes to show that lists like this are a minefield, but that makes them none the less interesting, and even in a dry ‘factual’ list like this, there is room for opinion and argument.

As many of you will know, it was the Autosport International Show this weekend. I just thought I would touch on David’s previous post with some of my favourite road worthy cars from the show.

Ferrari California
This was the first time I’d seen the California up close and it is astonishingly beautiful. The 2+2 GT has a 454hp front mid-mounted 4.3L V8 that storms from 0-62mph in under 4 seconds. There are a few firsts for the prancing horse as well with this model, the first to feature that mid-front engine, the first to feature the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, the first with direct petrol injection and the first with a folding metal roof. Ferrari’s line up is growing on my each day with the 599, the 458 Italia and this, I truly am California dreaming…

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
I was first interested in the 8C when I saw this picture! There’s not much to say about the 8C other than it has searing performance and it looks great. Alfa have really showed they can play with the other Italian supercar big dogs, the 4.7L V8 launches it from 0-62 in 4.5 seconds and it’ll top out at 190mph. The only problem is the £100,00O price tag and the fact only 500 were built. If you are able to get your hands on one though, I would do it!

Noble M600The £200,000 Noble M600 has been described as the most exciting British spots car for a generation. It is sensationally quick, 0-62mph in 3 seconds flat and 100mph in 3 seconds more. It has a suspected top speed of 225mph and has a better power to weight ratio than the Veyron, need I say more… Oh! I’m also a fan of the powder blue.

Jaguar XFR
I’ve got a lot of time for this car, I liked the XF when it came out so naturally the 503hp supercharged version has tickled my fancy. I like the interior of the XF as well, starting with the pulsating red start button, the sleek metal centre console and the bathing of blue light during darkness. Despite being the cheapest on the list so far by a long way at just under £60,000, it still has a 0-62mph time of 4.9 seconds and a blistering mid-range pace.

Lotus Evora CupOK so this isn’t quite road worthy but I had to use this picture of the Evora Cup to demonstrate my love for the Evora. When I first saw the Evora I wasn’t sold but now I’ve seen it in the metal I think it is an absolutely brilliant car. At just under the XFR at 45-50k with the same 0-62mph time I think this is a bargain supercar. Influx have recently included it as a future classic, and I totally agree.

Lexus LFAAt the other end of the pricing spectrum from the Evora and the XFR, here’s the Lexus LFA. Now I’m not sold on the LFA, sure it’s quite a nice looking and ridiculously fast supercar but how does it warrant the £350,000 price tag?! There is one thing I will give it though, it has an incredible F1 inspired engine induction/ exhaust noise, check it out here. Still… give me a California or an Evora any day!

The 2010 Autosport International opens to punters on Saturday and Sunday, but we’re already here setting up, and today and tomorrow are trade and press days. You may have seen the TV ads, but if you were thinking of coming, then I can promise you the show is an excellent day out for any petrolhead.

As well as Jenson’s Brawn, above, and appearances from many legends of racing, past and present, including the aforementioned Mr Button, and our mate Sterling Moss, there are plenty of amazing Cars. Today I’m sharing a couple of cars from the more motorsport oriented AutoSport part of the show, and tomorrow I plan to give you my pick of the roadgoing performance cars from the Pistonheads area.

F1 is well represented, of course, and you can see all the 2009 F1 cars, but also some amazing car of the past, such as Mansell’s Williams and the Benetton above, which was Schumacher’s, of course, both reminding me of long Sundays watching F1 in the pub, and better times for Renault’s racing division. There is also plenty of the awesome John Player Special livery in evidence.

Other racing disciplines and Formulae are also covered in staggering depth, with highlights like the Historic rally cars, including the same awesome T-16 we saw at the French Car Show. Another French Car at the show is the current Le Mans 24 Hour champion, the Peugeot 908 HDi, which really does look stunning, and my photo does it no justice.

Finally, a mystery picture. This is part of a car at the show. Any idea which one? I will reveal all tomorrow…

Yes we’ve had a lot of snow fall, in fact the whole country has been covered in the white stuff. However a quick google image search soon reveals how real snow will affect your journey to work.

How did these people know where to start looking?

…at least they don’t fear their car being stolen!

Slamming your brakes on with a snow laden roof is not advisable…

Lets hand it to ourselves though, this image shows the extent of our snow fall. There is not one green patch! No wonder insurance claims shot up by 70%!