evo fall out with 'major manufacturer'

[lauda]

Have just been reading Nick Trott's 'Ed Speak' section in this months evo and was wondering which manufacturer he is refering to;

'I've fallen out with a major manufacturer. Press officer wouldn't speak to me at the Paris show. Arguments rumble on about using non-press cars in features. Fundamental differences but I'm hopeful of a compromise.'

Now I have absolutely no more information than that but I don't think that should prevent some wild and uninformed speculation! My guess is Ferrari purely on the basis that it always seems to provide a fleet of mechanics with its press cars, particularly when they are being figured.

Anyone else in the know (or otherwise) care to comment?

[teen_cerbera]

The question is, why are they so concerned about only using their press cars? Are their press cars "tweaked"?

[RobM77]

One can assume that when Evo are not using a press car they've requested one first, so if they're not given one that's hardly Evo's fault! It must be more hassle and worry to drive an owner's car rather than a press car, so I expect they always request a press car.

[ShadownINja]

teen_cerbera said:

The question is, why are they so concerned about only using their press cars? Are their press cars "tweaked"?

Amusingly, considering your name, the Cerbera press cars were a bit more lively, I heard.

[E30M3SE]

Bit naieve to think that press cars are not 'tweaked', or set up exactly as intended at the very least.

[petrolsniffer]

teen_cerbera said:

The question is, why are they so concerned about only using their press cars? Are their press cars "tweaked"?

Apprently it was very common for BL to give tweaked cars to the press...

[R11ysf]

ShadownINja said:

teen_cerbera said:

The question is, why are they so concerned about only using their press cars? Are their press cars "tweaked"?

Amusingly, considering your name, the Cerbera press cars were a bit more lively, I heard.

All TVR press cars were exactly as they would have come off the the production line and I won't hear otherwise (even if they did use 2 totally separate cars for the 0-60 and the top speed figures )

[teen_cerbera]

E30M3SE said:

Bit naieve to think that press cars are not 'tweaked', or set up exactly as intended at the very least.

Well as in tweaked, the particular example I was thinking of was a GTR i read about somewhere which returned 510bhp on a Dyno, thats more than a minor tweek and I dont buy that non-sense about each car has different bhp figures...

The manufacturer mentioned could also be fully aware of their poor build quality and go the extra length to make sure the PR cars are perfect...

[seefarr]

petrolsniffer said:

teen_cerbera said:

The question is, why are they so concerned about only using their press cars? Are their press cars "tweaked"?

Apprently it was very common for BL to give tweaked cars to the press...

I don't think EVO has fallen out with them. . .

[E30M3SE]

teen_cerbera said:

E30M3SE said:

Bit naieve to think that press cars are not 'tweaked', or set up exactly as intended at the very least.

Well as in tweaked, the particular example I was thinking of was a GTR i read about somewhere which returned 510bhp on a Dyno, thats more than a minor tweek and I dont buy that non-sense about each car has different bhp figures...

The manufacturer mentioned could also be fully aware of their poor build quality and go the extra length to make sure the PR cars are perfect...

I think you will find ALL GTR's put out more than the quote 473.

[teen_cerbera]

E30M3SE said:

teen_cerbera said:

E30M3SE said:

Bit naieve to think that press cars are not 'tweaked', or set up exactly as intended at the very least.

Well as in tweaked, the particular example I was thinking of was a GTR i read about somewhere which returned 510bhp on a Dyno, thats more than a minor tweek and I dont buy that non-sense about each car has different bhp figures...

The manufacturer mentioned could also be fully aware of their poor build quality and go the extra length to make sure the PR cars are perfect...

I think you will find ALL GTR's put out more than the quote 473.

I didnt read the Evo report, I read something on an American site also quoting 510, I remember owners on the site then saying the realistic level is 485 with some reporting near 500, none, and there were a few, said they had seen 500+

[robsco]

R11ysf said:

ShadownINja said:

teen_cerbera said:

The question is, why are they so concerned about only using their press cars? Are their press cars "tweaked"?

Amusingly, considering your name, the Cerbera press cars were a bit more lively, I heard.

All TVR press cars were exactly as they would have come off the the production line and I won't hear otherwise (even if they did use 2 totally separate cars for the 0-60 and the top speed figures )

The Cerbera that walked all over its opponents on that famous Clarkson video was somewhat tweaked IIRC. Evo were frightened witless by the Cerbera when they had it on test too, I recall something about it swapping ends "if you so much as breathed on the throttle."

[ManOpener]

E30M3SE said:

teen_cerbera said:

E30M3SE said:

Bit naieve to think that press cars are not 'tweaked', or set up exactly as intended at the very least.

Well as in tweaked, the particular example I was thinking of was a GTR i read about somewhere which returned 510bhp on a Dyno, thats more than a minor tweek and I dont buy that non-sense about each car has different bhp figures...

The manufacturer mentioned could also be fully aware of their poor build quality and go the extra length to make sure the PR cars are perfect...

I think you will find ALL GTR's put out more than the quote 473.

Very true. From what I've read most are north of 500 once run in.

[ian_touring]

Maybe something to do with "Fast Fleet" section?

[Poledriver]

I had an MG ZT-T 260 'Press car'. It was fully loaded with every option and top spec interior, flip paint etc. All the panels were a much better fit than some of the other versions I've seen. I think they'll take a bit more effort with pre-delivery inspection to show them at their best.
Pity they don't just build every car to the same standard!

[fizz876]

Im guessing its most likely Ferrari- their PR machine would make Hitler look soft.

One word wrong and you better be sure you have an explaination as to why?

Not the first time this this has happenned - I heard rumours a few years back TG got in trouble with Aston and they refused to give them cars for a while but the power that TG is they had to relent - i heard they were not to happy with James May sitting naked in one of their Aston and the fact they didnt tell them the car would be leaving the UK...

[camshafted]

A friend of mine is a motoring writer and, from what I can remember, Alfa and Fiat were very touchy - if you constructivel sl@g one of their cars off and they throw their toys out the pram.

I think Autocar saw the major flaws in the MiTo a few years back right - riling Alfa on that occasion too.

[LuS1fer]

camshafted said:

I think Autocar saw the major flaws in the MiTo a few years back right - riling Alfa on that occasion too.

Why, did Autocar design it?

[varsas]

I think it's Ferrari. Read the letters section 'Shifting attitudes' and Chris Harris explains all (perhaps in more detail then the editor intended, but then you assume he checked Chris's response)

fizz876 said:

Im guessing its most likely Ferrari- their PR machine would make Hitler look soft.

One word wrong and you better be sure you have an explaination as to why?

Not the first time this this has happenned - I heard rumours a few years back TG got in trouble with Aston and they refused to give them cars for a while but the power that TG is they had to relent - i heard they were not to happy with James May sitting naked in one of their Aston and the fact they didnt tell them the car would be leaving the UK...

Didn't the Top Gear magazine break the embargo on the Aston Vanquish?

Edited by varsas on Friday 5th November 13:00

[lauda]

fizz876 said:

Im guessing its most likely Ferrari- their PR machine would make Hitler look soft.

One word wrong and you better be sure you have an explaination as to why?

Not the first time this this has happenned - I heard rumours a few years back TG got in trouble with Aston and they refused to give them cars for a while but the power that TG is they had to relent - i heard they were not to happy with James May sitting naked in one of their Aston and the fact they didnt tell them the car would be leaving the UK...

Acutally, I seem to remember that there have been some 'differences of opinion' between evo and Ferrari previously over a Car of the Year feature when the latest Ferrari which had received across the board rave reviews came second to a Porsche. Can't remember which Ferrari that was or how long ago it was though.