Will Dron
@wdron
Digital Driving Editor at The Times & Sunday Times, posting only online and in front of the paywall. Killed my Twxtter because of Elon, and feel conflicted about it. But here seems good.
Worth reading our interview with the three of them. www.thetimes.com/article/0f49...
I was going to make a joke about a Mitsubishi Eclipse but ended up taking some photos that are slightly less crap.
Ever wanted to ride at a velodrome? Thanks to Team GB sponsor Vauxhall I got to try it out yesterday and, despite being a big lump, I did ok -- Times and ST on top. I may ask for a raise after this. Ed Clancy, btw, has three gold medals and one bronze. Plus he's an absolutely top bloke. Vid in Sep.
The greatest road name you'll see today. (Glenn) Close enough to the actress's name, anyway.
I first fell in love with the Porsche 356 after seeing it in Top Gun, and the desire grew with the replica in 48 Hours. This morning I got to drive one, and it was even better than I had imagined - beautiful engine, sophisticated ride, predictable steering. Drive your heroes.
I did the two-day Sport Auto perfektions training course at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a Porsche 911 Turbo S... and managed not to stuff it into the Armco, which was my no.1 goal. Can't call myself a 'Ringmeister by any stretch but this was a brilliant experience. Words and vid soon(ish).
Best thing in the British Motor Museum. Apart from @sniffpetrol.com talking about hot hatches, natch.
Drove the Audi RS 5 today. No embargo so I can say that it's not prefect but... bloody brilliant. Hugely characterful and like nothing else through corners, hiding its weight. Unbelievable grip and cornering ability. But also comfortable for cruising. V complicated, though. And around £90k.
More #FerrariLuce #FerrariWorldPremiere #Ferrari #Luce Words soon on TheTimes.com The design will upset a few traditionalists but it's v clever. LoveFrom came at it with fresh eyes and a blank sheet. The interior is quality, tactility, usability. A perfect blend of physical & digital.
And here it is, the Ferrari Luce, Maranello's first electric car! Designed by LoveFrom and Ferrari in collaboration, it's like a glass teardrop with a bodykit on top. Lowest drag of any Ferrari ever. 4x e-motors 1035bhp 0-62mph: 2.5s 193mph Engineering masteclass + new high watermark interior.
Still thinking about the two days I spent riding this in the Highlands. Absolutely brilliant trip. Write up and video coming soon.
Obviously this trip is about 25 years of the Superb but it's also an excuse to ride parts of the NC500 on two wheels. Just got to my room and look...🤩 If you read my recent adventure bike group test you'll know why I brought the Triumph Tiger 1200 Desert Edition. Hoping it's less wet tomorrow! 😬
Driving 25 years of the Skoda Superb in Scotland today. Next one I get behind the wheel of is the sleeper car. 470bhp and 4x4. 😁 #skodasuperb25years
Driving the Cupra Raval today. Same underpinnings as the VW ID Polo, and in this sporty VZ spec is 15mm lower, gets wider wheels, a rear e-diff and dynamic damping. No embargo so I can tell you it's fun! Punchy, nice balance, sharp steering. 👌 VZ 0-62mph 6.8sec. Before gov grant, £23,785-£36,310.
The sun is out and I've gone for lunch at a National Trust café in a Morgan. Feeling INCREDIBLY old money English right now. Lovely car, the Supersport. Do I wish it had a manual gearbox? Yes. Do I care that much? No. 👴 3.0l twin-turbo BMW straight six 👴 335bhp 👴 0-62mph in 3.8sec 👴 from £105,723
It's a shame that major publishers feel the need to say their journalists' verdicts are honest. Surely they're being honest all the time? I know we live in an age of sponsored content, paid influencers and SEO/ GEO, but having to state that proper journos are honest? That's quite sad.
Day on two wheels. Or, more accurately, 18 wheels. This one took some organising.
Spent the day on two wheels testing Piaggio products, namely the Aprilia Tuareg Rally and Tuono 457, and Moto Guzzi V85 and V100. All very impressive machines but the V100 made the biggest impact - meaty 90deg V-twin with huge character, loads of tech and neat engineering.
I'm in Naxos. Asked to use the jet wash at the Shell garage on my hire car and the attendant did it himself, but it involved nothing more than using the jet washer to hose it down. No shampoo or scrubbing. Not surprised many cars here end up looking like this (and no, this was not my hire car).