Tester’s notes

Is it really worth trying to do major mechanical work yourself?

A motorbike clutch replacement was supposed to be so easy. But after several days...

16 June 2024
Is it really worth trying to do major mechanical work yourself?
hyunda ioniq 5 n review front tracking
Ioniq 5 N's rev counter runs to an arbitrary 8000rpm
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: Should electric sports cars have engine notes?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N simulates engine revs and gearchanges in 'Ignition' mode

8 July 2023
Matt Prior: Should electric sports cars have engine notes?
Tester’s notes

From Humber Snipe to Rover 75: a quick walk through 5500 Autocar road tests

We invented the road test in 1928. Almost a century later, we've just ticked over test number 5500

20 November 2020
From Humber Snipe to Rover 75: a quick walk through 5500 Autocar road tests
Maas
Fancy a driverless car to pick you up from the airport?
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: Mobility as a Service? You mean glorified car hire

Manufacturers are jockeying to invest in mobility initiatives, but are these really so different from what we already have?

21 August 2020
Matt Prior: Mobility as a Service? You mean glorified car hire
Infiniti Project Black - front 3/4
Infiniti is making a tactical retreat from the European market
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: How to survive as a premium manufacturer

Infiniti is pulling out of Europe, so where does that leave other 'luxury' sub-brands like DS?

26 April 2019
Matt Prior: How to survive as a premium manufacturer
Dishwasher
A dishwasher is fine at doing what it does, but a person could do it better
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: are robots intuitive enough to drive my car?

Autonomous technology will soon mean your car can drive for you, but probably not as naturally as you

22 February 2019
Matt Prior: are robots intuitive enough to drive my car?
Police car
Drivers close ranks at the sight of blue lights and a speed gun
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: campaigning for more colours and cameras

Can speed cameras really change driving behaviours? It's a bit of a grey area - a bit like every car park in the UK, then

1 February 2019
Matt Prior: campaigning for more colours and cameras
RNLI Shannon-Class Lifeboat
RNLI is hoping to raise the funds to build a new Shannon-class lifeboat
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: 'tis the season to be grateful

In his Christmas column, Matt Prior explores his fascination with the RNLI's Shannon-class lifeboat, and the rationale behind the comparatively un-fascinating Skoda Scala

25 December 2018
Matt Prior: 'tis the season to be grateful
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: you don't have to own an Alfa to be an enthusiast

The old adage about Alfa Romeos and 'true petrolheads' doesn't ring true for our road tester, but he does see sense in Twisted's business strategy

7 December 2018
Matt Prior: you don't have to own an Alfa to be an enthusiast
Prior's flirtation with varifocal lenses was brief
Tester’s notes

Matt Prior: should drivers have their vision checked more often?

Our road tester has been offered varifocal lenses, which has got him thinking: can everyone on the road see well enough to drive?

30 November 2018
Matt Prior: should drivers have their vision checked more often?