Author Archives: Kerbsider

Opinion | Does Luxury Have to be Large?

If you­ ask someone, anyone, about what they consider to be the defining characteristic of a luxury car – whilst omitting the glib suggestion of ‘expensive’ – size would likely be the next most popular word. In recent decades, much attention and even more prose has been paid to the growing size of everyday cars.Continue reading “Opinion | Does Luxury Have to be Large?”

Theoretically Speaking | Volkswagen Scirocco – killed before its time

The Volkswagen Scirocco is missed by us here at Kerbside. It was interesting without being fascinating; it was good looking but not gorgeous, and most of all it seemed like it would be a consistent present on the road for a while. This doesn’t sound all that complementary right? Well, you’d be right. But theContinue reading “Theoretically Speaking | Volkswagen Scirocco – killed before its time”

In the Rear View | Ferrari 550 Maranello

The culture of Ferrari today is one of technological prowess and advancement. Every new model that rolls out of those famed factory doors is a modern marvel. They are designed to deliver performance and joy in equal measure, but Ferraris still have a purpose as old as those distant hills that surround Italy’s Supercar Valley:Continue reading “In the Rear View | Ferrari 550 Maranello”

Opinion | Small Rev Counters are the Best Rev Counters

In the world of cars there is a mysterious yet very genuine culture of wink-wink nudge-nudge references to features or devices that cars do not so much as require, but by their inclusion, somehow elevates the act of driving into something completely different through the act of uneven homage. From heads up displays, and theContinue reading “Opinion | Small Rev Counters are the Best Rev Counters”

Opinion | The Turbocharged V6 – From the Dark Side to Homogeneity

The V6 is the perennial ‘middle engine’ of the car world. They’re more characterful than ubiquitous four-cylinder engines, but lack the prestige of the larger ‘vee’ engines. Interesting but at the same time not inspiring. The V6 goes around doing its business with a sort of earnest effectiveness, wholeheartedly giving its all, no matter whatContinue reading “Opinion | The Turbocharged V6 – From the Dark Side to Homogeneity”

Thought of the Day 04/12/21

The Caterham 21 was made by Caterham Cars to celebrate 21 years of their venerable 7 sportscar. The plan was simple: put a traditional British sportscar body, similar to those made in the 1950s and 60s, atop the mechanical underpinnings of the Seven. At a time when the Seven was showing its age, the 21Continue reading “Thought of the Day 04/12/21”

BMW – Set in Stone – Part 1

In this series on Kerbside we’ll be exploring BMW and their unwillingness to fully explore the ‘photocopier’ design paradigm that BMW themselves invented. It all started with the BMW X6. It was an arresting and curious sort of pseudo-coupe mixed with the ride height and running gear of the BMW X5. And history tells usContinue reading “BMW – Set in Stone – Part 1”

Thought of the Day 31/10/21

A recurring question has been rebounding off the inside of Kerbsider’s head recently: what car do you never ever see being driven slowly? Initial thoughts were directed towards some of VAG’s hyper hatches – Golf Rs, Audis S3 and RS3. These seemed to fit the bill. Fast, easy to drive fast, turbocharged and blessed withContinue reading “Thought of the Day 31/10/21”