What is happening at EVO magazine?
Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
theicemario said:
I've just watched that and I really enjoyed it as well. 
It is great to see EVO dipping their toe back into videos I think.
I enjoyed the Alpine video too. I did get most of the way through it and wonder why I'd not seen many (any?) adverts or sponsors; given how it seems Evo are struggling somewhat and it didn't appear to be a cheap video to produce.
Then I got to the end screen and saw it was perhaps more of an advertorial.
Then I got to the end screen and saw it was perhaps more of an advertorial.
DMZ said:
Not sure it’s that smart to do an advertorial. Nice video and everything but they were paid to like the A110? Watching it, I did think it was a tad on the positive side with no criticism of anything.
What got me was that he described the A110 as an analogue car as well, when clearly it just isn't. Analogue for me would be something naturally aspirated, with 3 pedals and an LSD for example, and the A110 doesn't have any of those. The A110 is more digital than analogue in my view. I still enjoyed the video regardless though, and I do like the A110 as a car overall.
911Spanker said:
It's a paid advert - think it said similar at the start.
I then clicked off as it wasn't worth the time.
I noticed that at the start too, and I gave it the benefit of doubt. I'm glad I did, but I understand why many wouldn't watch it because of the obvious bias though. I then clicked off as it wasn't worth the time.
havoc said:
...and a worse COG and a higher driving position which isolates you from the car's behaviour more than at lower speeds, AND exacerbates the feeling of body-roll (and pitch), requiring STIFFER suspension to give the same apparent feeling of control (regardless of actual control) as the lower car. (Exhibit A: X6M suspension - it's a joke, and what's worse is BMW M-Division have worked wonders with the M5, especially in CS form, which appears to employ witchcraft)
A performance SUV is largely an oxymoron, because a performance estate, for a given size/weight/footprint/powertrain, will always be less-compromised, quicker point-to-point and better behaved.
Performance SUVs are there because there's an (image-led) market for them, not because they're better to drive. And the changes you talk about could be ridiculously-easily applied to a saloon/estate, IF someone decided there was a market for it.
This is absolutely true. Whilst my own car is in for repair I've been given a 74 plate Nissan Juke as a hire car. The car goes round corners remarkably flatly, but you can't disguise physics and they've given it proper stiff suspension and big fat tyres (215/60/17) meaning it crashes through any pot holes and on wet roads, the car rather alarmingly slews wide if it encounters a knobbly road repair. A few years back I was driving for a while a 2000 Ford Focus Mk1 on old school 185/60/14 size wheels and tyres. It had a fair bit of body lean but boy could that car be hustled down a difficult typical bumpy B road. On my local lanes it would've left the Juke for dead.A performance SUV is largely an oxymoron, because a performance estate, for a given size/weight/footprint/powertrain, will always be less-compromised, quicker point-to-point and better behaved.
Performance SUVs are there because there's an (image-led) market for them, not because they're better to drive. And the changes you talk about could be ridiculously-easily applied to a saloon/estate, IF someone decided there was a market for it.
acme said:
I too noted the comment re the A110 video being in conjunction with Alpine cars & that comments were switched off.
Fully appreciate that they’ve raved about the A110 since its launch but this didn’t quite sit well & I do hope isn’t the way Carwow ownership will impact the mag.
I'd agree. This is the description starting with [Ad] Fully appreciate that they’ve raved about the A110 since its launch but this didn’t quite sit well & I do hope isn’t the way Carwow ownership will impact the mag.
"[Ad] The Alpine A110 has been an evo favourite since it’s launch in 2017. Adam Towler takes the latest A110, and heads to the north of England to explain why it remains one of the most perfect sports cars."
If they want to turn into a paid for content channel then fair enough, but not what I would expect from evo.But we do know it is tough times for print media.
As an A110 owner and long-term Evo subscriber I'm quite disappointed that they have had to give up their journalistic principles (or whatever they are called in the UK) and produce a video like this.
I love my A110 and I think that it's an absolutely great car but it is also far from perfect. I find it disturbing that Evo makes a video sponsored by Alpine where they don't say anything negative about A110. I know that current market environment is tough for car magazines but let's hope that video like this is not the direction where Evo is heading in the future.
I love my A110 and I think that it's an absolutely great car but it is also far from perfect. I find it disturbing that Evo makes a video sponsored by Alpine where they don't say anything negative about A110. I know that current market environment is tough for car magazines but let's hope that video like this is not the direction where Evo is heading in the future.
limpsfield said:
I'd agree. This is the description starting with [Ad]
"[Ad] The Alpine A110 has been an evo favourite since it’s launch in 2017. Adam Towler takes the latest A110, and heads to the north of England to explain why it remains one of the most perfect sports cars."
If they want to turn into a paid for content channel then fair enough, but not what I would expect from evo.But we do know it is tough times for print media.
To be fair they do advertorials in the magazine and have for years, but this is the first time I've seen anything like this online from them, & the comments switched off just heightened my suspicion."[Ad] The Alpine A110 has been an evo favourite since it’s launch in 2017. Adam Towler takes the latest A110, and heads to the north of England to explain why it remains one of the most perfect sports cars."
If they want to turn into a paid for content channel then fair enough, but not what I would expect from evo.But we do know it is tough times for print media.
Fully appreciate as you say they've got to make money but that they've been prepared to criticise (MK1 Focus RS, Emira) is one reason I've subscribed for 20 years. Albeit they're not beyond reproach - Pagani, 911 to some extent some may suggest.
And I say this as someone looking to get an A110 next and has followed it since the prototypes were revealed.
I didn't get the chance to watch it yet but they clearly are having a moment with Alpine as they did a free Alpine track day at Brands which they emailed to subscribers (and I believe more widely as well). It was a good day - got to drive the A110S with an instructor on track, and a couple of hot laps passengering with Gordon Sheddon in the A110R which was quite something. The rest of the day was open pitlane with my own car. Food was good too.
I had a chat with Stuart Gallagher (the editor) at an earlier Evo trackday as well and he seemed very pleased with the Carwow tie-in. He said they will give budget for more experience type events, longer form articles and the leave the editorial team to do what they do. I don't see the issue with doing advertorial if it brings in more money. It's been part of print media for years and should be clearly labelled as such, just in case you can't tell from the relentlessly positive tone of the copy. The A110 has long been a favourite - the problem would be if they start having to endorse cars they don't actually genuinely like.
I had a chat with Stuart Gallagher (the editor) at an earlier Evo trackday as well and he seemed very pleased with the Carwow tie-in. He said they will give budget for more experience type events, longer form articles and the leave the editorial team to do what they do. I don't see the issue with doing advertorial if it brings in more money. It's been part of print media for years and should be clearly labelled as such, just in case you can't tell from the relentlessly positive tone of the copy. The A110 has long been a favourite - the problem would be if they start having to endorse cars they don't actually genuinely like.
It's funny in a way. They've been accused of being in Porsche's pocket for many years as so many 911s consistently won ECOTY, now it's Alpine 
All joking asides, Evo remains one of the few magazines where I really value the fact that they've had journalistic integrity. I mean, they famously annoyed Ferrari (and others at times) with their opinions, but honesty means a lot. I get that the Carwow buy-in means more resources for the mag and hopefully even better content, but if it means they have to advertise certain brands, I'd worry it's a slippery slope.
All joking asides, Evo remains one of the few magazines where I really value the fact that they've had journalistic integrity. I mean, they famously annoyed Ferrari (and others at times) with their opinions, but honesty means a lot. I get that the Carwow buy-in means more resources for the mag and hopefully even better content, but if it means they have to advertise certain brands, I'd worry it's a slippery slope.
carguy45 said:
It's funny in a way. They've been accused of being in Porsche's pocket for many years as so many 911s consistently won ECOTY, now it's Alpine
All joking asides, Evo remains one of the few magazines where I really value the fact that they've had journalistic integrity. I mean, they famously annoyed Ferrari (and others at times) with their opinions, but honesty means a lot. I get that the Carwow buy-in means more resources for the mag and hopefully even better content, but if it means they have to advertise certain brands, I'd worry it's a slippery slope.
The other funny thing is that from memory, the Alpine has never won a group test it has been placed in. Evo, being Evo placing it behind the Porsche Cayman back in 2018 when every other publication out there had the Alpine winning every test. So I dont think anyone can accuse them of pro Alpine bias, I think its just business, coz they need the revenue!All joking asides, Evo remains one of the few magazines where I really value the fact that they've had journalistic integrity. I mean, they famously annoyed Ferrari (and others at times) with their opinions, but honesty means a lot. I get that the Carwow buy-in means more resources for the mag and hopefully even better content, but if it means they have to advertise certain brands, I'd worry it's a slippery slope.
Yes and EVO have always gone their own way, annoyingly at times! I remember getting letter of the month back in 2015 when I called them out for their negative review of the new ND Mazda MX-5 which as usual, EVO (who do seem to have a bit of a downer for Jap cars at times) didnt like against a tide of universal acclaim. The GT86 is another car they gave 3 stars to I think, compared with 5 stars everwhere else and of course they really didn't rate the Honda S2000 (yep, another Japanese icon).....or the MK1 Focus RS.....! But at least they aren't afraid to not run with the crowd....
greenarrow said:
The other funny thing is that from memory, the Alpine has never won a group test it has been placed in. Evo, being Evo placing it behind the Porsche Cayman back in 2018 when every other publication out there had the Alpine winning every test. So I dont think anyone can accuse them of pro Alpine bias, I think its just business, coz they need the revenue!
Yes and EVO have always gone their own way, annoyingly at times! I remember getting letter of the month back in 2015 when I called them out for their negative review of the new ND Mazda MX-5 which as usual, EVO (who do seem to have a bit of a downer for Jap cars at times) didnt like against a tide of universal acclaim. The GT86 is another car they gave 3 stars to I think, compared with 5 stars everwhere else and of course they really didn't rate the Honda S2000 (yep, another Japanese icon).....or the MK1 Focus RS.....! But at least they aren't afraid to not run with the crowd....
On that subject, sad to see the letters page go. I too have been a recipient of one of their LOTM watches (2 times actually, I was going to keep writing and try and get a couple more - Ian Eveleigh said the record was 4 wins, jointly held by 2 people). Was a nice touch of audience engagement. Yes and EVO have always gone their own way, annoyingly at times! I remember getting letter of the month back in 2015 when I called them out for their negative review of the new ND Mazda MX-5 which as usual, EVO (who do seem to have a bit of a downer for Jap cars at times) didnt like against a tide of universal acclaim. The GT86 is another car they gave 3 stars to I think, compared with 5 stars everwhere else and of course they really didn't rate the Honda S2000 (yep, another Japanese icon).....or the MK1 Focus RS.....! But at least they aren't afraid to not run with the crowd....
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