Topless Models

I've done a search.

Since I started my Blog, I've never used the word "topless" before.

And yet, I've definitely mentioned convertibles.

Including unintentional ones.

And more conventional ones:

But, apparently, they are on their way out.

BBC Business tell us that "over the past 20 years, sales of new open-tops have fallen by nearly 90%, from 109,171 in 2005 to just 11,484 last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders."

Their very interesting story is here.

They, like me, blame the rise of the SUV.

It has already seen off the Mondeo class of car, The Fiesta and the Focus.  And threatens the saloon and estate.

I mean, why enjoy the thrill of open-top motoring with the thrum of the engine and wind in your ears when you can sit in a huge box that isn't designed to go around corners properly?

The rise in popularity of Electric cars is also being blamed with only two electric convertibles currently on sale in the UK - the MG Cyberster (which does seem funky) and the Mini electric convertible (reviewed here by Carwow) which is coming over in VERY small numbers and costs £52,500!

The Cyberster is a bit more than that again.

Even non-electric convertibles are relatively few and far between - our American cousins seem to have a bit more choice.

But overall (or not overall because they don't have a roof) - it's looking bleak for those that enjoy a bit of topless fun.

Chatanooga Ooh Ooh

Our local council use to put on a free firework display on bonfire night before the Tories cut the budgets to help out the bankers.

Looks like the good people of Chatanooga got their own free display last week.

The BBC have the story and video here.

Feeling the Buzz

If I said, "Toy Story Porker", you'd probably think of Hamm, the toy piggy bank voiced by Cliffy from Cheers.

Seen here with the annoying dinosaur from the Argos adverts.

Although not as annoying as the doll from the Argos adverts.

But that's besides the point.

Now, if I said Buzz car, and I hadn't already put Toy Story into your head, you'd probably think of the VW ID Buzz.

And if I said Woody car, and I hadn't already put Toy Story into your head, you'd probably think of something, probably American, like this:

But you'd be wrong.

Because the Porker in question is Porsche.  They are cashing in on the latest Toy Story movie by producing 3 new special edition 911s based on Toy Story characters:

Car+Driver have the story here.

The Buzz Lightyear 911 is a GT3 RS in white, green, and purple color scheme.

The Jessie one is a Targa 4 GTS with cow-print floor mats and a paint job that mimics her outfit.

The Woody one, a Carrera T, seems a bit of a stretch though (which is apparently a purple octopus toy voiced by Whoopie Goldberg) because its paintwork is meant to look like his jeans.

Actually, I'm being uncharitable saying that they are cashing in, because these are actually one-offs to be sold off in aid of charities.

But my favourite Woody is this one:

Cheers!

Have Ferrari Seen The "Light?"

Or "Luce" 

Possibly not. 

I gave my view on Tuesday together with the reactions of Autocar and Auto Express and their readers.

Since then there has been a lot more reaction.

Described (quite accurately) by the BBC as "backlash." 

This backlash is Worldwide.  Including one of my favourite YouTube Channels, Gas Monkey Garage, with Shorts such as this and this.

There was a third one that seems to have disappeared now in which Richard Rawlings reminded us of his version of an electric Ferrari...

...which actually looks like a Ferrari (because it was built from one) but more importantly keeps the ethos of one.

There is much speculation that because the Luce most defintely DOES NOT follow the Ferrari ethos and DOES NOT look like a Ferrari that it will not sell.

I am pleased that Ferrari are not insisting that buyers have to purchase one of these in order to join the waiting lists for other future cars - this would have been a way to ensure sales.

Personally, I thought the Purosangue was more of a affront but that seems to have slipped under the radar as it is not electric despite being an SUV - which you may have noticed I hate more than electric cars. 

However, I think the Luce WILL sell.  It is a very good car.  Speculators will see a profit eventually and a new breed of rich weirdos will like this product.  It just won't sell to your average (and affluent) Ferrari fan.

And definitely won't sell to your average non-affluent Ferrari fan. 

I think the mistake is that it has the Ferrari name on it - they should have just called it The Luce.

Remember the Dino?  Lots of people do.

Luce Lawless

Ferrari have announced their first all-electric car - the Luce:

Looks good doesn't it?

As long as you view it from that exact angle.

'Cause it just looks weird from every other one.

Auto Express cover the story here describing it as "New Ferrari Luce EV arrives with shocking design, 1,035bhp and £440k price"

Autocar have this describing it as "1036bhp, 329 miles, £440k: Ferrari Luce revealed as wild super-EV"

The Autocar one must be better because it has one extra bhp.

They also have more commenters - more in both number and knowledgability.

The Auto Express ones are just judging the car on the fact it is electric and isn't particularly attractive - not that any of them would be able to afford one despite one claiming that he could - yeah sure mate!  Oh and there is one commenter who is either a Chinese Bot or a Chinese moron - I suspect the former.

A lot of the Autocar comments are also negative but there is a more genuine mix and more constructive criticism.

There is agreement and positive commentry on both websites for the interior and both have comments likening it to a Jaguar i-Pace - something I can definitely see.

Personally though, I'm not that enamoured by the interior:

It has real buttons which is good and the instrumentation is innovative - in a good way - but what is that dashboard made of?  Plastic? Shiny leather?

More weirdness.

So I won't be putting in an order for one.

And not just because I can't afford one.