News
Gallery 1
Wheels magazine has always had a passionate audience, with a thriving letters section. Here’s the latest from our readers.
And while we’re talking about the mag, have you subscribed?
1
Ice Ice Baby
?️ Malcolm Bassil, Carlton, VIC
Look, I get it. I know that the motoring industry is moving to an electrified future and that Wheels reflects what the motoring industry is doing, but I really can’t see myself ever buying an electric vehicle.
I’ve driven a few and they just leave me absolutely cold. There’s so little of the character that I love about cars in them. I’m 63 but I’m no Luddite and, given the glacial pace of Australia’s adoption of EVs, I really can’t see a point during my lifetime when I’ll be unable to fuel an internal combustion engined vehicle in this country.
Am I right in thinking that fossil fuels still have a long future ahead of them Down Under?
ud83dudede Editor Andy
It would seem that way, Malcolm. But it’s worth bearing a couple of points in mind. Firstly, it’s likely that future governments may punitively tax you for an ICE vehicle to push you into an EV. Stick seems to be preferred to carrot, despite carrot nearly always being more effective. Secondly, never say never. The EVs that have failed to impress you thus far are just the vanguard. They’re improving, and improving fast.
1
Rinsolvent?
?️ Ian Hamilton, via Facebook
I was browsing the Wheels digital archive this morning and in the May 2002 issue, I chanced across the Rinspeed Presto, a car which, at the touch of a button, would expand from a 2.7 metre, two-seat cabrio to a 3.6 metre, four-seater.
Firstly, I thought this was a great idea that has never really gone anywhere, making large cars easy to park, but it also got me thinking about Rinspeed, who seemed to present at virtually every Geneva Motor Show with some weird and wonderful concept car.
They’ve been at it for more than 20 years, yet don’t sell any of the cars. How on earth do they stay in business?
ud83dudede Editor Andy
That is a very good question. Speak to founder Frank Rinderknecht and you’ll just get an avalanche of buzzwords like ‘think tank for mobility issues’ that never answer the question of how the company stays afloat. It was originally a profitable Porsche tuner, but now? Who knows. Frank’s just turned up in Qatar, driving a VW iD Buzz there for this year’s ‘Geneva’ Show.
1
The Wheels question to you
Would Elon Musk’s public persona prevent you buying a tesla?
I just can’t…
- The more I see of the guy, the less I like. Heu2019s scuttled Twitter, and some of his statements are just so … off. If I buy a Tesla, that seems a tacit statement of support for his problematic viewpoints. M. Carman, via Facebook
Not really
- Was Henry Ford a nice guy? Was Colin Chapman? Enzo Ferrari? Letu2019s broaden it. Steve Jobs? I donu2019t really know where you go with this argument. I donu2019t like Musk much but can accept he builds a good car., S Lewington, via Facebook
1
Never have i ever
?️ Steve Brezowski, Rockingham, WA
Being an occasional Wheels customer (I grab one off the rack in my local servo if the cover looks interesting), I was really excited by the latest edition of the magazine with the BMW Neue Klasse concept.
I dunno if it’s just me, but there seems to be a real buzz about the global motor industry at the moment, as if it’s undergoing a real shift with all sorts of weird and wonderful cars being tipped out of that process.
Not only do we seem to be seeing car makers go absolutely crazy with their internal combustion engines, but we’re also seeing some exciting electric cars. The mix of cars in the October issue was just deranged. I don’t think we’ve ever seen a time like it.
1
Dating Honda
?️ Alan Townsley, via email
Just wondering if Wheels was going to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Honda at all?
I was watching Max Verstappen clinch the Constructors’ championship at Honda’s home track in a Honda-powered car on Honda’s 75th birthday and the company doesn’t seem to be getting much love from Wheels.
Any particular reason?
ud83dudede Editor Andy
This is interesting, Alan. Honda, as a corporate entity, was indeed incorporated 75 years ago, but only started building cars for its domestic market in 1963. That makes its car manufacturing arm 60 rather than 75, and it’s been 50 years since the brand opened in many export markets, as Michael Stahl mentioned in his Civic piece last month.
1
Rest easy, big red
?️ Asif Tarafdar, via Facebook
I was horrified to hear of the recent passing of Wheels veteran Ash Westerman. I feel as if Ash has been pretty much a constant fixture in my history of reading MOTOR and Wheels and I always enjoyed his effortless turn of phrase and effervescence.
Seeing him on page 78 of the last issue was especially poignant, but I wanted to go back and read some of his best pieces. I loved the one about finding the Lithgow Panther and the accompanying video was excellent. Any others you’d recommend?
ud83dudede Editor Andy
We’re all reeling here, Asif. It’s been a shocking turn of events and Ash was a fantastic asset to Wheels and an all-round lovely bloke. His huge body of work will continue to entertain readers for years to come. Of his more recent work, I’m a particular fan of his drive to Bodie ghost town in January 2019, his farewell to the Holden GTS-R W1 drive in May 2017 and his search for the Tassie Tiger in a Jaguar F-Type SVR from February 2017. We’ll round up some more of Ash’s finest in due course. – Ed
1
Off beatz
?️ Jay Stanley, via email
Loved the Lotus Elise feature in the last issue and Enright’s namecheck of Swizz Beatz as a design consultant for Lotus.
I used to work in New York and was nearly flattened by Mr Beatz’s Evora company car at a crosswalk. Having fallen off my bike, I was then nearly collected by his entourage in a giant Chevy Suburban that was crashing every red light trying to keep up.
I’ve heard that post-Lotus, he has taken to camel racing in Saudi Arabia. If his talents behind the wheel of an Evora are anything to go by, I feel sorry for the camels.
Want to have your say? Keep it tight (no more than 200 words) and include your suburb if via email: [email protected]. You can also chime in on Facebook & Instagram.
