Blogs Posts

Safety has always been a concern at Porsche, and throughout the 911 development various ideas have been introduced to keep occupants safe while maximising driver enjoyment. The three-part safety steering system and Targa roll bar are both examples of Porsche’s safety-derived developments, but legislation also has played a part, like the impact bumper. Technology explainedMore recently as crash protection laws developed, so did requirements for passenger safety.

Interest and enthusiasm for owning a 911 of any era has never been greater. Everyone knows and covets an RS, GT3 or Turbo, keenly eyeing values and ads, but aside from those go-tos, which models are currently overlooked by the market? Sales debateIt’s fair to say our panel struggled to immediately call out a list of forgotten models. In today’s market, there’s a buyer for all 911s.

You can thank the gorgeous 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS for kicking off this fabulous look, swiftly followed by the RSR in ’74. By adding a little more metal these cars could carry more rubber, meaning better handling and faster lap times. The aesthetics? Almost a happy by-product. When the 911 Turbo burst on to the scene in 1975, complete with wings, wheels and spoilers, the die was cast for almost all range topping 911s to have a more ample derriere.

Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider Fizzing performance, Italian style and top value make this a tempting modern classic. Words JAMES WALSHE Photography BAUER MEDIA ARCHIVE Buy an Alfa GTV: huge style, big fun, small price Just look at it. All sporting coupés of the Nineties had driver appeal in one way or another, but none could match the sheer presence of the Tipo 916 Alfa Romeo GTV. The Spider, although less delicate than its predecessor, had equal visual punch.

Having missed the previous two years due to strict Covid-19 restrictions, it was terrific to finally return to Le Mans in mid-June for the famous 24-hour race. It remains the pinnacle of motorsport and as much fun as when I first went 25 years ago.

So it’s finally arrived, the third car to bear those hallowed letters – CSL. Unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este the G82 M4 CSL will no doubt be quite the performer but I can’t help but feel a trifle conflicted about the car. On the one hand I’m delighted that BMW is still prepared to put the effort into producing halo machines like this but I’m not quite sure that its execution is as good as it could have been.

Forget the 205 GTI: this was France’s quickest 1980s hot hatch THE MARKET / Buying GuideIf at any point in the past 40 years you’ve been in the market for a hot hatch, chances are there’s been a Renault fairly high on your list. The modern RS Meganes are some of the finest-handling cars of their generation, and the Clio Williams became a member of hot hatch royalty the second it went on sale.

Hugely important for Ford, the Mk1 was technologically advanced for its time. Here’s what to look for if you fancy a slice of 1950s motoring. ZEPHYR SIX MK1 1951-1957When it came to the design of the Ford Zephyr Six Mk1, the notion that bigger is better certainly shone through.

It would be naive to think that global lockdowns and disruptions from a pandemic wouldn’t bring with it some changes, but has it left a mark on the used 911 buyer? Two respected specialists concur it has. Sales debate“Yes, buyers’ habits certainly changed,” says Jamie Tyler of Paragon. “A lot more people are buying remotely now; this has continued from the days of only being able to buy cars via ‘click and collect’.” For that to thrive, stock must be of a quality to support worry-free purchase.

I'm going on holiday for 6 weeks to visit family in Australia, what precautions do I need to take with my EV so that it still works when I get back to the airport? CURRENT AFFAIRSSo, you’re leaving the country for more than a month, and you’ve recently switched to an all-electric car. How should you leave your electric vehicle to ensure it’s safe while you are away, and it’s ready to drive when you get back?

Reader’s restoration: When Kevin McDermid found this rare Mk1 Escort 1300GT he decided to be different... and restore it to factory standard condition. Words Mike Renaut Photos Adrian Brannan READER’S RESTORATION: 1973 Ford Escort 1300GT Mk1When Kevin McDermid found this rare Escort 1300GT he decided to be different... and restore it to factory standard condition.

Fantastic Fifties styling and a great big engine bay mean the Mk2 has always been a popular choice for modders and rodders. MK2 ZEPHYR/ZODIAC IMPROVING YOUR CLASSIC FORD JUST GOT EASIER Upgrade guide: Ford mk2 Zephyr/Zodiac - Tuning tips for the 1950s Ford. UPGRADE GUIDE The big 1950s Fords have a strong following and it’s not surprising. They’re lovely, smooth cruising cars but they also have a touch of Americana about them.

Do you remember Flanders & Swann? They wrote and performed clever, comedic songs about life in the late 1950s. These musical period pieces have somehow transcended their era. Donald Swann played the piano and looked like a skinny academic. Michael Flanders, burly, bearded and wheelchair bound, had a rumbling voice and lethal comic timing.

Mass market electric cars have been with us for about a decade now, and for all of that time, the popular Fully Charged YouTube channel has been on hand to explain to anyone who is interested in the subject what’s going on.  The bigger pictureSince 2018, though, Fully Charged has not just been an online presence but a series of live events as well.

Synthetic fuels are nothing particularly new, and we're familiar with GTL (Gas to Liquid) fuels that are made from natural gas. The Fischer-Tropsch process that's used for this can employ all kinds of hydrocarbon raw materials, to create designer fuels like kerosene, petrol and diesel, all of them significantly purer and lower in emissions than equivalent fuels derived from crude oil. It can also be used to synthesise the base materials for advanced synthetic lubricating oils.