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Post by Ben on May 18, 2023 16:07:39 GMT
I visited Berlin back in 2013 (I think) and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of those places where I would probably want to visit again.
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Post by Ben on Apr 3, 2023 17:51:31 GMT
Maybe they just like the location? Sometimes people prioritise that over the commute, especially at that level when they need not necessarily go into work every day.
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Post by Ben on Mar 19, 2023 15:58:50 GMT
Funnily enough I was going up test a portofino and Roma yesterday as I think they both look great ,but had to cancel . I like the Roma convertible but I’m confused as to why they need it alongside a portofino . I believe the Roma Spider replaces the Portofino.
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Post by Ben on Mar 17, 2023 11:26:43 GMT
I'll just get mine from Starbucks.
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Post by Ben on Feb 28, 2023 16:14:05 GMT
I've been to a few car factories myself, but the one that stuck with me the most was Maserati in Modena. It's as clean and modern as any, but the workers all stopped work to greet the visiting press pack (us) the moment we stepped in, whereas at other facilities they carried on working uninterrupted.
Make of that what you will.
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Post by Ben on Feb 25, 2023 13:53:58 GMT
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Post by Ben on Feb 25, 2023 3:14:08 GMT
Seems that VW run a tourbus lasting about an hour (with English commentary) through the Wolfsburg factory. There is also a nearby Auto City with museum-type buildings/exhibits for each of their major marques - VW, SEAT, Skoda, Audi, Porsche. Has anyone visited or know someone who has? Worth planning for next year or not? Apart from the above (and the VW currywurst), it seems that there is little else on offer in Wolfsburg itself as it's mainly "Volkswagen city" Oh yeah, I've been. The factory tour itself is alright but it's mostly just like any other car factory tour (the car 'vending machine' is interesting though). Autostadt (the large theme park for all the other brands) is much more fascinating, with lots to see and do. Down the road though is the Volkswagen AutoMuseum. If you can blag a visit to that one, I highly recommend it. www.automuseum-volkswagen.de/
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Post by Ben on Feb 24, 2023 12:38:14 GMT
You have to remember that the people casting their vote at the UN are the leaders/Government of these countries and for many of them it is all about self interest and maintaining relations with other countries they might want to do a deal with at some stage or are already involved with. I don't believe for a minute that the people of these countries believe that Russia are right to invade Ukraine unless they have been brain washed with the Russian propaganda too. Pretty much this. Many countries also don't necessarily see things from the Western perspective too. For example, Vietnam is Communist and obviously has some anti-American sentiment. Sri Lanka is hugely dependent on Chinese investment and so would naturally be cautious about pandering to the West.
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Post by Ben on Feb 13, 2023 12:49:01 GMT
China claims there are Western balloons over its territory too.
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Post by Ben on Feb 3, 2023 5:32:18 GMT
Looks good Chris. These are pleasant cars, so hope you get some enjoyment out of them.
The foot on the brake thing is for safety I reckon. You don't want some poor old soul accidentally knocking the car into 'D' when he's not ready to move off, so having to apply the brakes is like a fail-safe.
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Post by Ben on Jan 30, 2023 16:44:41 GMT
The Koreans don't have a huge presence in China, and have a complicated relationship there, so they (perhaps rightly) don't see the need to pander to Chinese tastes too much, instead focusing on the somewhat more sophisticated European and American markets.
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440i
Jan 30, 2023 16:43:09 GMT
Post by Ben on Jan 30, 2023 16:43:09 GMT
If I was in the UK I might seriously consider it. Looks like an absolute bargain for what you're getting.
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Post by Ben on Jan 19, 2023 12:22:02 GMT
This would be my 12th year working professionally as a writer (or some form of it) My first job was with the automotive website, for which I was there for a year Then I was at Top Gear magazine, where I lasted for 3 years Then I did freelance writing, which lasted for about two years (with a bit of Uber driving on the side) Then I went back to the automotive website. This lasted 8 months or so Then I went to China to work for Ford, so far my first and only non-journalism job. That lasted a year Then I'm back to writing for the magazine, where I'm now entering my fourth year, my longest stint of any of my jobs so far. That's all interesting Ben. I think remember you being disappointed that you couldn't pursue a career in the navy but I'd guess you see going another way as a good thing now? Where are you now? I thought about you when I went to Singapore, I loved the place Yeah the Navy was a bust but silver linings and all that yeah
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Post by Ben on Jan 18, 2023 12:30:22 GMT
This would be my 12th year working professionally as a writer (or some form of it)
My first job was with the automotive website, for which I was there for a year Then I was at Top Gear magazine, where I lasted for 3 years Then I did freelance writing, which lasted for about two years (with a bit of Uber driving on the side) Then I went back to the automotive website. This lasted 8 months or so Then I went to China to work for Ford, so far my first and only non-journalism job. That lasted a year Then I'm back to writing for the magazine, where I'm now entering my fourth year, my longest stint of any of my jobs so far.
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Post by Ben on Jan 4, 2023 17:46:09 GMT
I reckon he was the motoring icon for loads of newer younger millennials. Those who grew up in the 2000s and are into cars, more than likely it was because of him. In a sense he was like how Colin McRae was to people like me (those who grew up in the 90s).
RIP. Sad way to start the new year.
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Post by Ben on Jan 1, 2023 9:25:28 GMT
Happy New Year everyone.
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Post by Ben on Dec 25, 2022 3:38:06 GMT
Merry Christmas you lot
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Post by Ben on Nov 24, 2022 15:25:09 GMT
So is it just an M8 with some body panels bolted on or something more bespoke? A real shame as image how fine a modern interpretation of the 3.0 CSL could be using the M2 rather then the M8. It's based on the M4.
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Post by Ben on Nov 24, 2022 10:51:33 GMT
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Post by Ben on Nov 7, 2022 15:48:17 GMT
Yesterday, I saw a Mercedes C-Class with a spoiler that incorporated an LED light strip that could change colour.
I thought that was amusing, as well as looking incredibly stupid.
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Post by Ben on Oct 26, 2022 16:11:32 GMT
Such a shame. How the mighty have fallen.
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Post by Ben on Oct 24, 2022 2:57:41 GMT
I've experienced this in a few other cars too, although I can't remember which. I think it was VW or Audi.
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Post by Ben on Oct 20, 2022 12:47:07 GMT
Bloomin' heck.
Short tenure, but what a tenure.
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Post by Ben on Oct 16, 2022 16:00:44 GMT
Simply deduct the amount they've exceeded by from next season's cap. That way they will still be penalised but not retrospectively.
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Post by Ben on Oct 13, 2022 13:12:03 GMT
I have just had an e-mail through from Jaguar with details of "the last version of the F-Type" - the F-Type 75 and the F-Type R 75. That is a bit of a shame and will no doubt be the last 2 seater Jaguar. They will probably still have one in future, just electric.
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BMW XM
Sept 30, 2022 14:38:45 GMT
Post by Ben on Sept 30, 2022 14:38:45 GMT
This is true.
When the current 4 Series/M4 came out Chinese social media was mostly all praises for it. They like big and ostentatious, sorta like shouting "Look at me! I drive a goddamn BMW!"
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BMW XM
Sept 29, 2022 15:50:54 GMT
Post by Ben on Sept 29, 2022 15:50:54 GMT
The rear end looks really strange. I get that they want to emulate the M1 but the logo at top corner look just doesn't work well on an SUV.
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BMW M2
Sept 25, 2022 10:54:32 GMT
Post by Ben on Sept 25, 2022 10:54:32 GMT
WTF
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Post by Ben on Sept 19, 2022 13:48:33 GMT
It just looks like a curvier and more bloated Zonda IMO.
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Post by Ben on Sept 15, 2022 12:12:20 GMT
The grille looks naff. Otherwise, I quite like that.
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