Trader Dreamer: Honda FR-V

In 2000 the Fiat Multipla was launched to critical acclaim, its clever seating plan allowed 6 people to fit in a car that wasn’t massive like an Espace, and still had boot space with 6 occupants. It won Top Gear’s family car of the year award 4 years in a row, and in its launch year managed runner up in the ECOTY. With MPV’s very popular at the time, and Fiat bringing this new idea to the table, you could presume that it would be a sales hit. This however was not quite the case, currently there are 13252 registered on the road, compare this to the decidedly mediocre Fiat Stilo, which wasn’t winning any awards, but sold in more than twice the volume. Some reckon the car would have been more successful, if it were not for Chris Bangles controversial styling, and this is where the Honda FR-V comes in.

 

Picture from 'Imnop88a'

Any customer can have a manual, so long as it is automated.

The other day I had the privilege of driving a Gallardo round an airfield. It was awesome. While I know all the raw figures, I never expected it to feel that fast or have that much grip, and that glorious V10 bark would have been enough to get me excited even if it wasn’t that good. Here’s the obligatory ‘but..’ though, it was equipped with an E-Gear transmission, Lamborghini’s single clutch automated-manual.

 A great car, but where's the manual?

Trader Dreamer: Aston Martin Vanquish

Imagine the situation, it's 2001 and you are Vice President of a UK wide company, you’ve risen through the ranks. Eight years ago you were driving a ford Mondeo Mk1, now even your BMW isn’t enough, so you go and splash £160k on a brand new sports car. But even in this elevated status you are reminded where you came from, the electric window switches are exactly the same as that Mondeo all those years ago. The car that offers this experience? That’ll be the Aston Martin Vanquish, which could now be yours for less than £50,000.

Photo from 'RGT3'