Nothing but the truth
Audi A4
There is only one thing wrong with the Broadcasting Authority's latest proposal - that local TV programmes about cars have to point out the bad as well as the good things about the vehicles they present to the public - and that's that it had to make such a statement at all.
It is a sad state of affairs when journalists talking or writing about any topic, never mind a big investment like a car, do anything but paint the thing as they see it, and they would preferably do in an entertaining form. But, unfortunately, there's a disease that has dogged our media - print and audiovisual - for years. It's a code of silence.
The easy thing to do is blame the writers and presenters, and say they have conflicts of interest, or that they're too afraid of no longer being offered any more of those luxury trips abroad. And, undeniably, there is an element of that. But it's also a reality that the cat, in the form of the local car importer, has got a pretty good hold on the critical tongue. Their paws contain the money to advertise, without which television programmes, magazines, or even strong newspapers like this one for that matter, would struggle to survive.
I had a nasty experience with one local importer some months ago because I said that a particular engine made an otherwise good car too slow. My crime was expressing my own - subjective, it goes without saying - opinion, which as far as I know is allowed in a democracy.
Now, the same importer insists on setting three conditions before it will consider allowing a test drive on one of its cars: One, the name of the publication; two, who is doing the review; three, that it "approves" the review before it goes to print.
Perhaps the Broadcasting Authority, and the various press clubs we have, might wish to consider doing something about that too, since it is plainly unacceptable.
It's too insulting to the intelligence of people these days to pretend there's nothing wrong with a car, and doing so does not mean you don't like it. I have a Mini with a turbo diesel engine which I love to bits. It's crude cornering ability is a joy to behold and even an Arabian stallion with a belly-full of baked beans wouldn't be able to keep up with it in the mid-range speeds. But it has its downsides: It goes from 0-20mph in less time than a granny with a broken zimmer frame and my neck needs physiotherapy every time it tries to position my head in a place where I can actually see the colours change on traffic lights.
If I want a perfect car, I would buy a Porsche 911. But since I haven't robbed any banks lately, I can't afford one. So the Mini, which costs around 85 per cent less, suits me just fine. But now I have a problem, because I have chosen to write the above sermon in precisely the same week that I did a test drive on an Audi A4 with a 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine and sports suspension. In fact, I have a rather big problem, because I liked this car a great deal.
It's as well built as Arnold Swartzenegger was before he pretended to take up an acting career. The solidity of the dash, to the interior of the passenger doors, to the incredibly well upholstered seats make you feel like you're sitting in a car worth twice as much. While the buttons - no more or less than you need - are in all discretely placed in the right places. And the display before your eyes is as simple and easy to understand as any good bit of writing ought to be. In fact, it is almost like reading poetry. By a German, of course.
It is difficult to hear the engine when you put the key - strange in this day and age that the push-button start is missing - in the ignition and turn. But there are no such problems when it comes to feeling its effect, since it does 0-60 in just 8.5 seconds. All the cars you're leaving in your wake at the traffic lights will probably feel the effect too. But your wallet won't, with average fuel consumption for this magnificent engine at 42 mpg.
And that's not the only family-friendly measure in this wannabe sports car. Space in the back, not to mention comfort, is probably more ample than its rivals while the boot is big enough to spend the night in if you're not up to a hotel bill should you, and you should, take this thing on the continent.
Since it has sports suspension, the ride is on the hard side, but it's worth the gains you make on the car's handling. I really want to give this car a five-star rating, but - finally I am doing my job - I just can't, since the central armrest gets in the way of the handbrake and that really annoyed me. But before I am struck off another agent's list, that is not the only reason. In fact, it is not the reason at all. You see, while the handling is very good, and I had a great deal of fun driving the A4, I believe there is a car in this class which handles even better.
Of course, that is just an opinion. My opinion. With a bit of luck, a few more people will have honesty and opportunity to express theirs in the months and years to come.
The bare facts
Model: 2.0 TDI S-Line
Engine types: 10 engines to choose from
Power: 168bhp at 4,200rpm
Torque: 258lb ft at 1,750 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual/automatic
Fuel: 42 mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 8.5 seconds
Price: From Lm21,000 (S-Line is Lm24,000)
For: One of the best all rounders
Against: Almost nothing
Rating: 4 stars
It is a sad state of affairs when journalists talking or writing about any topic, never mind a big investment like a car, do anything but paint the thing as they see it, and they would preferably do in an entertaining form. But, unfortunately, there's a disease that has dogged our media - print and audiovisual - for years. It's a code of silence.
The easy thing to do is blame the writers and presenters, and say they have conflicts of interest, or that they're too afraid of no longer being offered any more of those luxury trips abroad. And, undeniably, there is an element of that. But it's also a reality that the cat, in the form of the local car importer, has got a pretty good hold on the critical tongue. Their paws contain the money to advertise, without which television programmes, magazines, or even strong newspapers like this one for that matter, would struggle to survive.
I had a nasty experience with one local importer some months ago because I said that a particular engine made an otherwise good car too slow. My crime was expressing my own - subjective, it goes without saying - opinion, which as far as I know is allowed in a democracy.
Now, the same importer insists on setting three conditions before it will consider allowing a test drive on one of its cars: One, the name of the publication; two, who is doing the review; three, that it "approves" the review before it goes to print.
Perhaps the Broadcasting Authority, and the various press clubs we have, might wish to consider doing something about that too, since it is plainly unacceptable.
It's too insulting to the intelligence of people these days to pretend there's nothing wrong with a car, and doing so does not mean you don't like it. I have a Mini with a turbo diesel engine which I love to bits. It's crude cornering ability is a joy to behold and even an Arabian stallion with a belly-full of baked beans wouldn't be able to keep up with it in the mid-range speeds. But it has its downsides: It goes from 0-20mph in less time than a granny with a broken zimmer frame and my neck needs physiotherapy every time it tries to position my head in a place where I can actually see the colours change on traffic lights.
If I want a perfect car, I would buy a Porsche 911. But since I haven't robbed any banks lately, I can't afford one. So the Mini, which costs around 85 per cent less, suits me just fine. But now I have a problem, because I have chosen to write the above sermon in precisely the same week that I did a test drive on an Audi A4 with a 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine and sports suspension. In fact, I have a rather big problem, because I liked this car a great deal.
It's as well built as Arnold Swartzenegger was before he pretended to take up an acting career. The solidity of the dash, to the interior of the passenger doors, to the incredibly well upholstered seats make you feel like you're sitting in a car worth twice as much. While the buttons - no more or less than you need - are in all discretely placed in the right places. And the display before your eyes is as simple and easy to understand as any good bit of writing ought to be. In fact, it is almost like reading poetry. By a German, of course.
It is difficult to hear the engine when you put the key - strange in this day and age that the push-button start is missing - in the ignition and turn. But there are no such problems when it comes to feeling its effect, since it does 0-60 in just 8.5 seconds. All the cars you're leaving in your wake at the traffic lights will probably feel the effect too. But your wallet won't, with average fuel consumption for this magnificent engine at 42 mpg.
And that's not the only family-friendly measure in this wannabe sports car. Space in the back, not to mention comfort, is probably more ample than its rivals while the boot is big enough to spend the night in if you're not up to a hotel bill should you, and you should, take this thing on the continent.
Since it has sports suspension, the ride is on the hard side, but it's worth the gains you make on the car's handling. I really want to give this car a five-star rating, but - finally I am doing my job - I just can't, since the central armrest gets in the way of the handbrake and that really annoyed me. But before I am struck off another agent's list, that is not the only reason. In fact, it is not the reason at all. You see, while the handling is very good, and I had a great deal of fun driving the A4, I believe there is a car in this class which handles even better.
Of course, that is just an opinion. My opinion. With a bit of luck, a few more people will have honesty and opportunity to express theirs in the months and years to come.
The bare facts
Model: 2.0 TDI S-Line
Engine types: 10 engines to choose from
Power: 168bhp at 4,200rpm
Torque: 258lb ft at 1,750 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual/automatic
Fuel: 42 mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 8.5 seconds
Price: From Lm21,000 (S-Line is Lm24,000)
For: One of the best all rounders
Against: Almost nothing
Rating: 4 stars