DownsideUpDesign

So that makes two brands trotting out old cars in a bid to highlight just how good their new cars are.

Firstly, we had Volvo asking journalists to drive old workhorses like the 240, 740 and 850 at the UK launch of the naughty S60. Joe Simpson, writing for Car Design News remarked on how much improved the overall performance of the new car was. Read the rest of this entry »

It seems fairly appropriate, given that I’m passing my New Year in Paris, to catch wind that the City of Light is looking to ban SUVs from the town centre.

In a two-fingered salute to the haute bourgoisie, Dennis Baupin, deputy mayor, said of the SUV

“Sell it and buy a vehicle that’s compatible with city life. I’m sorry, but having a sport utility vehicle in the city makes absolutely no sense”.

Bravo! say I to monsieur, having witnessed one to many inelegantly parked Range Rover in the 16th for one week. But the most laudable aspect of this story (whcih the Detroit Free Press and, by turns, Autoblog failed to link) is the fact that Paris is providing a carrot to go with their 2.5 tonne stick.

Having got to grips with providing velos en masse through the Vélib’ scheme, the city is now rolling out Autolib’, a system of 3,000 Pinifarina deisgned electric cars available from 1,000 stations for a subscription of €12/month. Chic, easy to park and -above all- producing zero emissions, the little Autolib’s should prove immensely attractive to urbanites who are keen to live without the pain of car ownership (Parisian cars spend 95% of the time parked and 16% of Parisians use their cars less than once a month) but maintain the liberty that comes with four wheels and a roof over one’s head.

For me, the take with one hand and give back with the other approach will be the crux of the success of Autolib’. The city of Paris recognises that cars give us enormous personal freedom, a freedom we’re loathe to give up in the name of “better” living for everyone. But if the city can provide us with an alternative that doesn’t cost us in terms of access, usability or -importantly- style and personality, we’ll be far happier to hand over the keys to the tank.

Now Boris, where are our Barclays Beetles?

P.S. Apologies for bowing to the cliché of dropping some Francais into this post. Paris tends to have that effect…

Images:
Range Rover in Paris SamismagiC
Pininfarina Blue Car Pininfarina

T’was pointed in the vague direction of this yesterday and I thought it so… cute, so right that I couldn’t not pass it on.

The Peugeot RCZ is the French manufacturer’s first entry into the small sports coupe market since Pompidou was building edifices to himself. Sadly, unlike many of Pompidou’s delectations, the RCZ has been ribbed for lacking in design originality (delightful double-bubble glass roof notwithstanding).

Portrayed alternatively as the hairdresser’s hairdresser’s Audi TT or the pleb’s Porsche Cayman, one could easily expect Peugeot – a brand not known for marketing brilliance – to storm off in a fit of French pique at the reactions of the motoring press.

Happily, Peugeot’s Swiss agency, Euuro RSCG Switzerland, decided to turn the problem on its head, putting a smile on my dial in the process.

Can’t fix the problem? Change the conversation. Well done Peugeot!

(hat tip to @joesimpson)

I’ve just spent the morning with the delightfully erudite Leo Hollis discussing the origin of great cities, great cities of the future (hint: it’s not Masdar, Mr. Foster…) and the role that transparency will play in their formation. Naturally this got me thinking about my love of mobility of all sorts and my love of infographics. Long story short, indulge me and take a look at Chromaroma.

Chromaroma Visualisations from Mudlark on Vimeo.

Although it’s a game that you can play – the object being to use the London transport system in the most efficient way possible – it was the visualisation of transport set to Starkey’s Star (featuring Anneka) that really pulled me in. I know, I know, it’s hardly new stuff but I was struck nonetheless; David McCandless was right to call his book Information is Beautiful. The best bit is that we can all be part of this beautiful happening. Sign up here.

As the adage goes, you have some hits and you have some misses.

When it comes to Nissan’s recent history, the hits are manifold (350Z, original Cube, Qashqai, anything called GT-R and, latterly, the Juke).

Therefore, the misses are all the more bizarre and I really can’t think of a miss more spectacular than the Murano Cross Cabriolet. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear DSUppers,

Yes, yes I know. It’s been a while. Apologies for having left you out in the cold, wondering what happened to that odd, mouthy Aussie who wrote about cars n’ stuff.

The good news is that I’m still alive and kicking and, indeed, kicking much stronger than previously.

Since June I’ve been in the pleasant employ of Sense Worldwide in London, applying my strategic skillz to a whole range of industries, finance, telco and pharma inclusive. Fret not however, dear fellow petrol-fueled reader, I am still just as passionate about cars and trying to understand where the car industry is going to wind up. I’ve just been enjoying focussing a little more on the “n’ stuff” part of the DSU equation.

So now that I’m a little more bedded in to London life, I’m going to be a more regular feature around here. The mix of input might be a little more eclectic than before but, as in the past, it’d be lovely if y’all stayed along for the ride.

Much love,

Drew

(image: Drew Smith)

The RX at Portishead

It was with genuine surprise that I received a Twitter dm (direct message for the uninitiated) from the ever-friendly @Valvo at Toyota PR asking if I wanted to have a Lexus RX 450 h for a week. Having never experienced a hybrid and having not experienced a Lexus on the road since a mate’s father’s LS400 back in – ooooh – 1990, I leapt at the opportunity. Here was a chance to trial the luxury brand that, to some eyes, changed everything and the drivetrain technology that some believe still will. Read the rest of this entry »