Steve Cropley: Used BMW i3 could provide EV motorsport thrills
New rules allow for EV production classes for the first time. Our columnist has already picked out his car of choice
This week, our columnist is in two minds about city cars returning as premium EVs, considers the merits of the quadricycle to beat post-lockdown traffic, and has found another motoring tome to add to his collection.
*MONDAY*
Remember last month’s scare about how compact, cheeky A-segment cars were finished because the cost of cleaning up their engines was too great? It was upsetting: I’ve always depended on baby cars to punctuate long, boring sentences of faceless execu-chariots. But now, apparently, the demise isn’t coming after all. The experts are now saying A-cars will go quiet for a bit of re-engineering, then reappear with electrified powertrains, more radical designs and premium prices.
All of which is fine by me. I’ve always hated the idea that size controls price; I mean, who’s surprised that a wrist watch costs more than a housebrick. If you want a cheap car, buy a second hand supermini. Mind you, I’ve just seen that the new, electrified Fiat 500 is going to cost £30k instead of £15k. Bit much.
*TUESDAY*
This week has been packed with good news: Motorsport UK has announced a set of rules that’ll allow you to compete in low-key events with a standard electric car. That’s great news: I’ve campaigned a Renault Zoe at Prescott Hillclimb a few times (once with the late, great Barry “Whizzo” Williams) but though we drove hard — he more effectively than me — our efforts had to be called demo runs.
From now on it’ll be possible to compete in production classes, which makes me want to rush straight out and buy an electric BMW i3S which I see as the best option. A Tesla Model 3 would be quicker but who’s got a spare £60k? And anyway, my other motor sport preference is autosolo for which an i3 is much the more agile option.
*WEDNESDAY*
We’re already seeing back-to-work traffic building as people avoid the virus threat of public transport. The congestion will soon be oppressive again, one reason why I’ve always used scooters to penetrate traffic and park anywhere. But that choice depends on your possessing a bike licence. Or did. Now you can choose a revolutionary “leaning” four-wheeled — complete with hydropneumatic suspension — called a Qooder (or e-Qooder if you want yours electrified) that offers all the manoeuvrability of a motorbike but can be ridden/driven on a car licence. People might smirk a bit, but who cares? The Italian manufacturer has just started selling in the UK; try Qooder online. Might be the secret mobility weapon you need.
*THURSDAY*
One fashionable motoring cliche at present seems to be “…if there’s ever another motor show…” bunged on the end of every observation about a new car and uttered in a world-to-end-soon tone of voice. Actually, I think the global upheaval might eventually be the making of motor shows. People will want to get together. They’ll want to touch and smell new cars, and sit in them. And after lots of recent practice they’ll know the limitations of seeing stuff on screen. Right now, I’m see next year’s Geneva Show in my dreams: just try and keep me away!
*FRIDAY*
We’ve all been staggered at the complimentary mail we’ve had since the writing, design and production of Autocar moved from the Teddington to 17 different dining room tables around the country. It is very motivating to see how much people like our 125-year old rag. Recently those feelings reached an Eiger-like peak when we heard from Adam Collinge, an ambulance driver in the Mendips, who told us how he takes his mag along in the ambulance, to help deliver moments of sanity between patients. “I know we in the NHS are getting the plaudits,” he wrote, “but we also need heroes and heroines to help us get our job done, to make us smile and keep us informed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’re all doing a damn fine job!”
*AND ANOTHER THING...*
If you want a snapshot of one car-nut’s brilliance at turning a phrase look no further than Richard “Sniffpetrol” Porter’s “Medium-sized Book of Boring Car Trivia” which like everything else this ultra-talented bloke writes is a joy. It’s self-published via Amazon. Buy now.
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