CAR Online published nearly 300 videos in 2009 – and this selection brings together some of the most popular films we uploaded all year.
1) Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport CAR video road test
The exquisite Bugatti Veyron goes convertible, and CAR’s assistant editor Chris Chilton brings us the bad news in his video review – it will only reach 217mph with the roof off. If you can bear such a blow, watch on to find out the Grand Sport’s 0-62mph time, and why Chris headed straight to the Post Office when he got back.
2) Audi RS5 caught testing at the Nürburgring
You might think German testing would be a sedate, controlled, clinical affair. Not so with Audi’s upcoming super-coupe at the ‘Ring. Track times here are the modern benchmark for performance cars, and this tester isn’t shy about wringing the RS5’s neck, in full twin-turbo V8 glory. See it slide! Hear the tyres scream! Watch it dispatch a VW Caddy TDI!
3) Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M CAR video road test
They say drop-tops are only useful because you can hear what people call you on your way by. You won’t hear much other than a bellowing 4.3-litre V8 in the Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M though. CAR’s road test editor Ben Barry was first to drive the car and lucky enough to get sunshine and sweet roads for the occasion. Watch for his opinion of the topless road racer. And see him scare some pesky kids.
4) Aston Martin Rapide spy video
Aston Martin’s Russian-dolls line-up spawns a four-door saloon – essentially a DB9 made capable of shifting four adults (plus luggage) in comfort. However, as you can see from this spy footage, the Rapide is no toned-down luxo-barge. Packing a 6.0-litre V12 and given full throttle at the Nürburgring, we hope this test car was equipped with sick bags for the rear passengers.
5) Does it work? Radar cruise control
How often has ‘military technology’ made it into useful, everyday products? Obviously, we’re lost without our space pens at CAR, but how about Mercedes-Benz’s military-derived Distronic Plus – better described as radar cruise control? Associate editor Tim Pollard put his faith (mostly) in an S500 driving behind an erratic vehicle. If Tim looked scared, imagine how the guy in front felt…
6) PCOTY – Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV
Ride in-car with BTCC racer Darren Turner as he tames this bull around Rockingham for Performance Car Of The Year 2009. The SV clocked 132mph on the straight – faster than anything else on the day – and in-car metrics let you track Darren’s speed, g-forces and track position. Or just close your eyes and hear what an angry V12 making 661bhp at 8000rpm sounds like. Clue: amazing.