RE: Carver One
Discussion
RTH
Again right, but experience is proving different...Ive just spoken with the UK dealers and while officialy the vehicle is not exempt they have found that they have yet to be fined for driving it into the zone without purchasing a ticket....the presumption being that the plates are photographed but when the fine processor checks the vehicle they see on the database that it is taxed and registered as a motorcycle...so maybe you "should" be charged, but you are likely to get away with it. If this thing starts to become popular though I can't imagine that loophole will not be picked up on.
Similarly re parking bays...the guys have been testing it by leaving it in free motorcycle bays and also discussions with traffic wardens who without fault have so far seemingly accepted that the motorcycle license renders it usable in the bays
One further benefit (useless to me, but not to some) is the fact that as the Inland Revenue classify the vehicle as a cycle under the road traffic act there is NO COMPANY CAR TAX to pay.
It will also be cheap to maintain...with servicing costs every 6k miles or 12 months that is likely to be in the £200-£300 territory
Again right, but experience is proving different...Ive just spoken with the UK dealers and while officialy the vehicle is not exempt they have found that they have yet to be fined for driving it into the zone without purchasing a ticket....the presumption being that the plates are photographed but when the fine processor checks the vehicle they see on the database that it is taxed and registered as a motorcycle...so maybe you "should" be charged, but you are likely to get away with it. If this thing starts to become popular though I can't imagine that loophole will not be picked up on.
Similarly re parking bays...the guys have been testing it by leaving it in free motorcycle bays and also discussions with traffic wardens who without fault have so far seemingly accepted that the motorcycle license renders it usable in the bays
One further benefit (useless to me, but not to some) is the fact that as the Inland Revenue classify the vehicle as a cycle under the road traffic act there is NO COMPANY CAR TAX to pay.
It will also be cheap to maintain...with servicing costs every 6k miles or 12 months that is likely to be in the £200-£300 territory
wish they'd sell it in the us, but I can't imagine it making it over here, and certainly would not succeed at that price. It would have to be $27k to even be a laughable proposition...
so, the current dream garage (I'm limiting it to 10 nowadays)
1. Farboud GTS
2. Alfa 8c Competizione
3. Ford GT
4. Tesla Roadster
5. carver
6. my old 733i with an LS1 swap
7. solstice gxp/sky redline / mazdaspeed miata hardtop... if it ever exists.../either kappa with a mallet ls7 pkg..
8. bmw z8
9. maserati quattroporte/ audi s8
10. bmw 335i with tons of mods... god that'll be a sleeper
so, the current dream garage (I'm limiting it to 10 nowadays)
1. Farboud GTS
2. Alfa 8c Competizione
3. Ford GT
4. Tesla Roadster
5. carver
6. my old 733i with an LS1 swap
7. solstice gxp/sky redline / mazdaspeed miata hardtop... if it ever exists.../either kappa with a mallet ls7 pkg..
8. bmw z8
9. maserati quattroporte/ audi s8
10. bmw 335i with tons of mods... god that'll be a sleeper
What may not be known is that the car also has rear wheel steering activated by the angle of body tilt, the rear wheels then assist by turning in to the corner. It also has a specially chosen soft rubber front tyre to match the rear yokohamas which have sustantial negative camber. Needless to say you cannot expect the sort of tyre life of a normal car.
Just had an email today from Carver UK detailing the changes to the spec for my order and the changed delivery date. It has been put back to February from November as Pro drive have made a good number of changes to the early pre production models.
The new Sky reality tv show on minor celebs racing will include a Carver race so should be fun to watch.
There is a US distributor but he wants the cars to come with an auto box and aircon. The existing set-up will not meet the US emmissions regs either so it may be sometime before there is an official US model
The new Sky reality tv show on minor celebs racing will include a Carver race so should be fun to watch.
There is a US distributor but he wants the cars to come with an auto box and aircon. The existing set-up will not meet the US emmissions regs either so it may be sometime before there is an official US model
Plotloss said:
No company car tax?
Does this mean you could dump a load of cash in a Carver as a company car and get away without paying BIK tax on it?
Does this mean you could dump a load of cash in a Carver as a company car and get away without paying BIK tax on it?
that's exactly what I understand it to be...apparently the same with any "company" bike!...call the distributor for details.
I'll be going out for a spin on Friday in one...will report back.
well, I finally experienced the Carver (5 minutes ago...work commitments delayed the test by a week).
Initial impressions:
looks...wow...like something from the next century...wouldn't be surprised to see Luke Skywalker stepping out of it...got more looks and photographs on a 15 minute test drive than 2 years of Noble M12 ownership (but then I did drive the latter at ungodly hours in country lanes!). This was the pre-production version and certain things will change (like side air scoops to both sides not just the one!). I think the lights would benefit from being fared in and the front end would slightly better rounded than flattish...but that is just being picky...it looks quite simply like nothing else on the roads. Quite fancy one in matt black with black wheels and tinted windows...stealth carver...Should also mention that the electric windows drop down the whole way and the roof is removable (though not stowable with a passenger...although a soft top alternative is available)...with all that air breezing through it would feel very much like a bike with a wheel and no helmet required.
Being driven:
Paul took the wheel for the first part and showed me its capabilities in a traffic ridden and rain sodden central london. Have to say though that in slow speeds it was very smooth and comfortable even in the back...though after 30mins my legs were beginning to get a little uncomfortable...2 up would be for short journeys only (or plenty of brakes on a long journey). The whole experience seems very weird at first but you soon get used to it...and it brings a smile on every bend. Despite the conditions Paul managed to demo acute lean on plenty of roundabouts...it should make 45 degrees (but not advisable in the wet...we made it to about 40)...the back end would kick out if pushed too hard, but thankfully Paul was not trying to scare me till my trousers were tainted...but he showed me sufficiently what it could do. After half hour Paul let me have a go at the wheel.
Driving:
The controls are all car like. Momo wheel, standard instrumentation. 5 speed +reverse manual gearbox situated on the right(only one door on the left). Handbreak also down in the footwell on the right...so pretty much like a LHD car is laid out...though it feels more like an aircraft cockpit.
The controls all felt quite normal and natural...the gear lever was a little notchy and I struggled to find 3rd a couple of times, but it all felt quite natural. The clutch bite was also simple to find and feather with the throttle to hold on the few gentle slopes I had to contend with.
Pulling away the carver felt far more poky than 70bhp has any right to, despite holding two relatively large chaps inside (sorry Paul)...an upgrade to 85bhp is offered, but the standard seemed plenty enough to start...only with time and experience might I be tempted to upgrade. While in charge you notice that the smile reverts to a lot of giggling and laughter as you get used to the whole experience. I am certain however, that even when "used" to the carver it will be difficult to stop enjoying the experience...smiles per mile it must rank up there among the best of vehicles.
Under 5mph the carver stays upright and in my inexperienced hands it was all a little twitchy at first as the car seemed to hunt for the direct upright position...I did, however, get smoother over time and despite the brevity of my time at the wheel I experienced enough to know that driving smoothly should come with practice.
10mph and above it seemed well composed and a lot easier to keep smooth. The corners too take some practice to get right as one has to choose the appropriate "angle" of attack and maintain a consistent power to keep it smooth...again, sufficient improvement was gained in a short space to know that smooth driving should come with practice....then I can well imagine going on the hunt to light up all the red indicators for maximum lean.
I now need to have a few serious chats (and maybe a small test drive) with the wife (...shouldn't be a problem convincing the kids) and then I can seriously see myself popping along to Paul for an order - the only downsides for me and my needs are the price of the vehicle (which seems a little steep for 660cc, even with all the technology attached, and the sacrifice of some newspaper reading/sleeping time on the commuter train).
I will report back if I end up going for it, but I won't be making the decision for a few months.
Initial impressions:
looks...wow...like something from the next century...wouldn't be surprised to see Luke Skywalker stepping out of it...got more looks and photographs on a 15 minute test drive than 2 years of Noble M12 ownership (but then I did drive the latter at ungodly hours in country lanes!). This was the pre-production version and certain things will change (like side air scoops to both sides not just the one!). I think the lights would benefit from being fared in and the front end would slightly better rounded than flattish...but that is just being picky...it looks quite simply like nothing else on the roads. Quite fancy one in matt black with black wheels and tinted windows...stealth carver...Should also mention that the electric windows drop down the whole way and the roof is removable (though not stowable with a passenger...although a soft top alternative is available)...with all that air breezing through it would feel very much like a bike with a wheel and no helmet required.
Being driven:
Paul took the wheel for the first part and showed me its capabilities in a traffic ridden and rain sodden central london. Have to say though that in slow speeds it was very smooth and comfortable even in the back...though after 30mins my legs were beginning to get a little uncomfortable...2 up would be for short journeys only (or plenty of brakes on a long journey). The whole experience seems very weird at first but you soon get used to it...and it brings a smile on every bend. Despite the conditions Paul managed to demo acute lean on plenty of roundabouts...it should make 45 degrees (but not advisable in the wet...we made it to about 40)...the back end would kick out if pushed too hard, but thankfully Paul was not trying to scare me till my trousers were tainted...but he showed me sufficiently what it could do. After half hour Paul let me have a go at the wheel.
Driving:
The controls are all car like. Momo wheel, standard instrumentation. 5 speed +reverse manual gearbox situated on the right(only one door on the left). Handbreak also down in the footwell on the right...so pretty much like a LHD car is laid out...though it feels more like an aircraft cockpit.
The controls all felt quite normal and natural...the gear lever was a little notchy and I struggled to find 3rd a couple of times, but it all felt quite natural. The clutch bite was also simple to find and feather with the throttle to hold on the few gentle slopes I had to contend with.
Pulling away the carver felt far more poky than 70bhp has any right to, despite holding two relatively large chaps inside (sorry Paul)...an upgrade to 85bhp is offered, but the standard seemed plenty enough to start...only with time and experience might I be tempted to upgrade. While in charge you notice that the smile reverts to a lot of giggling and laughter as you get used to the whole experience. I am certain however, that even when "used" to the carver it will be difficult to stop enjoying the experience...smiles per mile it must rank up there among the best of vehicles.
Under 5mph the carver stays upright and in my inexperienced hands it was all a little twitchy at first as the car seemed to hunt for the direct upright position...I did, however, get smoother over time and despite the brevity of my time at the wheel I experienced enough to know that driving smoothly should come with practice.
10mph and above it seemed well composed and a lot easier to keep smooth. The corners too take some practice to get right as one has to choose the appropriate "angle" of attack and maintain a consistent power to keep it smooth...again, sufficient improvement was gained in a short space to know that smooth driving should come with practice....then I can well imagine going on the hunt to light up all the red indicators for maximum lean.
I now need to have a few serious chats (and maybe a small test drive) with the wife (...shouldn't be a problem convincing the kids) and then I can seriously see myself popping along to Paul for an order - the only downsides for me and my needs are the price of the vehicle (which seems a little steep for 660cc, even with all the technology attached, and the sacrifice of some newspaper reading/sleeping time on the commuter train).
I will report back if I end up going for it, but I won't be making the decision for a few months.
London International Motor show Carver stand at the Excel Centre in London Docklands in July first view on public display of the Carver One with 80 % mechanical changes in collaboration with engineering consultants Prodrive.
First cars to be built in the EX-Ford factory in Germany where the MK 1 Ford Focus RS was built
First customer cars about to come off the production line now.
Edited by RTH on Friday 13th October 10:43
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