Test Rides, Confessions, Opinions, Huzzahs and Hurumphs All in This Months Letter From Europe

by Andrew Frankl European Bureau Chief

This letter has been in the works for some considerable time owing to commitments on both sides of the pond.

I’ve driven several cars in the meantime. In Europe it was good to catch up with my old, trusted Volvo S70. Year in, year out it serves me perfectly well. With 27 thousand miles on the clock it is barely run in but that’s fine with me. Driving it out to Epsom for a round of golf at the Royal Automobile Club’s magnificent Old Course was probably the highlight of the summer.

I also had a chance to drive a small, locally made Suzuki in Hungary! A perfectly nice small car, it replaced all the appalling Trabants and Wartburgs only Eastern European readers will be familiar with. The nation owes Suzuki a great deal of gratitude as it was rapidly becoming the asthma capital of the World.

I also had a chance to drive the latest Mondeo to and from the Hungaroring during the Grand Prix. This is the first time I’ve been in a Mondeo and must say very nice it was too. Unusual in as much as a six speed gearbox combined with a diesel engine is not something I’ve ever come across before but once I’ve mastered it all was well. With five adults and a child it was perfectly comfortable for all of us.

Back in California the highlight of the automotive year just had to be the new Ford GT. I got to Pebble beach early and was just going across the mountain to Quail Lodge when I saw this huge commotion. There were cars everywhere and all the people were rushing towards something red. Yes, folks, it was the very first Ford GT to hit the road. In all the years I’ve been in motoring I’ve never seen such interest in an automobile. Now I don’t normally ask for favours but in this instance I could not resist.

Having been at Le Mans and standing not a million miles from Mr. Ford as he greeted his winning cars I just had to ask for a chance to drive it. As luck would have it I ran into Nick Scheele, COO of the company. Not many people know that both he and I worked in purchasing in the 60s, for the same wonderful man, Wally Johnson. Nick, being the lovely guy that he is-fixed it. What can I say? Pure magic. As American as apple pie, it is in sharp contrast to Ferrari’s highly sophisticated 360. A great flagship for the company at a time when things could be better financially.

It is sad that both Ford and GM seem to have handed over the middle ground to the Hondas and Toyotas of this World. Still, at least Ford’s purchase of Volvo is beginning to pay dividends; it was a great buy and their image of Swedish safety as one of the great slogans alongside BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machine. Talking of which my wife just traded in her 10 year old 525 for the last of the 530i-s, surely one of the most comprehensive, most intelligent cars in the World. That 6 cylinder engine is magic and we are looking forward to many years of happy motoring. How the new 5 will succeed remains to be seen. I haven’t driven it yet but I have spent a fair amount of time in its big brother, the 7 series. An exceptional car with regards to dynamic qualities but like most people I have problems with the styling and the iDrive. Some of you may have noticed that the 7 series has become a topic of cocktail party conversation. You can get used to it is what owners tend to say with regards to the styling but then go on to admit that the iDrive is still driving them crazy. No wonder it has been simplified in the new 5 series. I’ve said this before- there was no need for” Bangle-ising “ this great marque.

Take Mercedes Benz for example. Their E500 is an exceptional automobile. It is elegant, discreet, comfortable and remarkably quick. It has presence without the perhaps. For those anxious to get to Lake Tahoe or the nearest cop shop more quickly there is an AMG option as well. The instrumentation is where it has always been, the dials, the levers have a familiar feel. You get in and within seconds know where everything is.

They’ve just built a factory in conjunction with McLaren, the Formula One people. It will be the home of all their very special cars. For good measure they’ve employed double World Champion Mika Hakkinen as their test driver. In case you are not a follower of Grand Prix racing he is the guy who managed to beat Michael Schumacher to two championships in ’98 and 99. Not exactly a slouch.

Other cars that have come my way include Subaru’s astonishing WRX. For sheer fun on twisty roads it has to be every enthusiast’s choice at only 25 grand. In the right hands it would give most Porsches and Ferraris a seriously hard time. All those rally successes didn’t come from thin air. I am totally convinced that it is simply not possible to have this much fun in any other automobile at this or even double the price. There is no turbo lag like there is in the over-rated Saab, the Bridgestone tires provide stunning grip and there are more and more on the road. The publicity budget is probably tiny; the word of mouth factor is clearly overwhelming. Only concern: how would it fare in a crash? With brilliant dynamic characteristics I am sure one could avoid most of them but should the crunch come would it be up to it. I hope so as it is a very special automobile.

Talking of air, this time hot, not thin, don’t expect any driving impressions from me as far as Porsches are concerned. The lady there has decided that I wasn’t the right person to be allowed into her hallowed automobiles, except into the Cayenne which they are having problems shifting. No wonder, when you get an excellent Touareg for half the price. \ VW are having a huge go in the States although I still have great and grave reservations about their ability to sell a car for 70 thousand dollars with a name as silly as Phaeton. Feet on? Fat one? Can you see in the golf club? I can’t.

One car from the VW stable I am completely in love with is the new Bentley GT. My old mate, 5 times Le Mans winner Derek Bell had it up to 208 miles per hour on a race track; it is beautiful, elegant and very, very quick. When they say there is a waiting list- I know there is one. A friend of mine is on it!

Confession time- 40 odd years ago I was a Rolls-Royce chauffeur. 40 years on I had a chance to drive the new one. Yet again, dynamically outstanding as one would expect from BMW. The looks? too aggressive, too get out of my way, screaming: I am rich! Filthy rich. Well, it is possible to be rich and be subtle about it. I have a feeling that the offensive grill/headlights will be modified sooner rather than later.

I haven’t driven any Jaguars lately but the X type I’ve recommended to a friend runs like a Swiss clock. The XJ is continuing to gain ground; it is one car you really have to drive to appreciate. The company has a problem with people who complain that it looks very much like the previous one. I have to agree with them. Shame as it is just like being in a very fine British club-on wheels. It may take off slowly but as the word spreads I am sure it will be a success. Certainly deserves to be one.

For consumers there has never been a better time to buy, O% financing and truly great deals on just about everything. Happy motoring!