10 Apr 2015 – Driven To Write

All new? How New Is Ford’s 2016 Galaxy Really?

DTW has prepared this side-by-side comparison of the 2007 Ford Galaxy and the “all-new” Ford Galaxy with its “latest global design language”.

You can read Ford’s lengthy description of the revised Galaxy here. Among the extensive field of words Ford composed is nothing about major dimensional changes or structural changes. Even the improvement in rear head-room was probably achievable by revising the seats.

The current Galaxy is a very fine vehicle. What is not very fine is Ford’s compulsion to pass off what seems to be a nearly comprehensive re-styling as “all new”. Here is their summary: Continue reading “All new? How New Is Ford’s 2016 Galaxy Really?”

Theme: Roads – Across Ireland as the Crow Drives

On two occasions I drove diagonally across Ireland using local roads. It was rewarding though tiring.

1960 AA Road Atlas of Ireland. Invaluable if you don´t want to use sat nav. — 1960 AA Road Book of Ireland. Invaluable if you don’t want to use sat nav.

The first trip went from the south east, Wexford, to the north-west, Sligo. We drove in the middle of winter in my much-missed base-model 1990 Peugeot 205. What could have been a four-hour trip via Dublin on the main roads took about eight but we got to see corners of Ireland by-passed by the 20th century. It was rather a long time ago now (1993) so I can’t provide a great deal of detail. What stands out though was Continue reading “Theme: Roads – Across Ireland as the Crow Drives”

Politically Driven

Politics-Cars-Politics-Cars-Politics

“Dynamism of a Car” by the Futurist, Luigi Russolo, 1913

Once, car choice was easy. Saloon, estate or, if your were really naughty, sports car. Even with brand – your dad bought Vauxhalls, and you did too. Now it’s not like that. Brand loyalty has gone out the door and there are so many choices and niches, each trying to appeal to your specific lifestyle needs. Except, speaking for myself at least, they don’t. Now, politics in the UK is catching up. Ever since the days of Tony Blair, the old Left/Right polarity has been a bit ropey, but is the UK Independence Party, to give it its full name, the first of the true Crossover Hybrids?

Continue reading “Politically Driven”