Taking the ‘why on earth did they…?’ questions as read, the Ferrari FF has understandably received its fair share of comparisons: Porsche’s Panamera; the Aston Martin Rapide; even the Lamborghini Aventador. But here’s one most of us were not expecting. Set against a snow-flushed backdrop in the Engadin Valley, this video from classicdriver.com (via chromjuwelen) pits two types of FF… Read more »
We roll out of the airport’s underground car park, blinking in the Lisbon sunshine. Less than an hour earlier, we’d completed a 9-hour, 8340km flight from Dubai in order to test the new Mini Roadster in Portugal. With route map at the ready and PR chaperone Meabh clearly in our mirrors in a John Works Special Cooper, our convoy was… Read more »
This year has been rather busy for crankandpiston so far. Not only have we toured Portugal in a Mini Coupe Roadster, plus a bit of seat time in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5, we’ve also been invited to drive the new 991 in anger at Yas Marina. This latest event was the big one though: testing the new Porsche Panamera GTS… Read more »
A Ducati with ABS, traction control, electronic suspension and a whole host of techno-wizardry? If you’re thinking the Italian’s might have gone soft then think again. The all-new 1199 Panigale is seriously good. This could now be the new benchmark for big bore sports bike. The chassis is actually the engine, with the air box becoming the main stressed member.… Read more »
“Pack your bags, James. You’re going to Portugal”. This seemed an odd way to tell me that I was being relocated, but as a true blue Englishman, I took it on the chin. Fortunately I‘d only packed up half my desk before a clearer picture was painted. News that Mini’s all-new Roadster was to make its performance debut affront a… Read more »
The working week is done. Suit jacket and tie have been stowed, and it’s time for a thrash in your new Porsche 991. Tough choice between the Racing Yellow and Carrera Red, but you made the right choice. Inside the beautifully upholstered cabin, you sink into your Adaptive Sport Seat, adjust the Carrera S wheel and feel like a millionaire.… Read more »
A Ferrari four-seater sounds odd, doesn’t it? And a Ferrari with 4WD? Good Lord, break out the gentlemen in white coats. But before we get too excited, there are signs that Maranello’s blood doth run thick within the FF. Take, for example, the headlights inspired (with a piece of tracing paper) by the 458 Italia, and the muscular-hewn bonnet lines.… Read more »
It’s been close but so far neither the Aston Martin Rapide nor the Porsche Panamera has delivered a knockout blow in our Clash of the Luxury Titans. Now we head into the deciding rounds: performance. We’ll start with the Aston, which, we can say with relief, drives like it looks; more sports car than saloon. The front end has prodigious… Read more »
We all want a Ferrari. It goes without saying. And when a particular model is available to only 599 of us, the yearning becomes ever stronger. And that’s before DK Engineering have applied their delicate touch. The Ferrari 599 GTO: sleek, agile, poised, delicate, aggressive, stylish. A sound that makes your heart beat faster and a stance that tells you… Read more »
Many days of hair pulling and deep sighing had finally paid off last week when I finalized a deal on my new flat. Massive relief and excitement evaporated immediately when it occurred to me what this meant: moving. Nearly a month of not-so idle window-shopping and PR freebies meant two suitcases and a metro card were no longer sufficient. I… Read more »
