Clarkson gives a great review of the Supersport 400 in Sunday's STimes Magazine. Driving as it's meant without roof or sidescreens - "I've fallen in love with a car I thought I was going to fall out of"
He may be a divisive figure but as he’s probably driven 1000’s of cars, and definitely all the good ones, his opinion matters. As one of the most, if not the most, recognised motoring journalist……. in the world……. manufacturers want his positive reviews. 😁 I bet the folk at the factory are overjoyed…..!😁
Let’s see what Harry Metcalf has to say in the next few weeks, because I’d imagine he’ll get one for a test.
I’m glad that JC likes the car, because it’ll help Morgan sell a few more. I’ll be interested to try the 400, to see if it feels any different to the standard Supersport, and if it feels as quick as our EV!
Having met a couple I would like to offer a bit of a counter to that "how can they tell in 10 minutes" approach but at the same time agree.
They drive so many cars that the general "better at this and worse at this" can be learnt across a broad range of cars. So their ability to compare across makes/ranges/models does give them an advantage. We got into a discussion how the top and bottom of a car range can feel very different and their observations were really enlightening. It was a clear point that the blurring of vendors (Stellantis and its litter, VW Group likewise) made this almost unimportant. I would love to do some blind tests and see if they can work out what they are in!
On the other hand your personal goals for a car can be so far from there general observations and I guess Morgan is definitely in the group of "personal taste identified" A bit like running a Bristol, McLaren or TVR. You know what you want from the event when you go for a rumble. Our specific interest in a non-conventional offering is likely to have been developed over time.
I had a load of crazy hot hatches and rocket ships but roads are no longer really capable of sustaining this as I have grown up in the South of the UK. So a more enjoyable, less extreme, but lovingly accepted mode meant an Aero worked. Not for everyone thats for certain. Not as quick, not quite the level of handling, definitely not better made. But way more engaging as an arrival experience.
I think the change in the source of our education around the modern vchicles also counts for some of this. We first had 2-3 car magazines, Car, Autocar, Motor plus some specialist press developed. Then we got TV and Top Gear. Now it is through the Interweb and Youtoob. The sheer number of "self selected experts" on Youtube is amazing. The competition between them to get views (leading to increased promotion) and likes (leading to money) means they need to differentiate more. So we get click-bait titles and "contentious opinions" intended to differentiate and draw users. I don't think most of them add much. I think Clarkson almost pre-dated this by being outspoken to get attention on himself much earlier. I do remember seeing a video about his early career somewhere but cannot find it now.
I notice Grand Tour announced their presenters a short time ago. Two quite well known YouTubers who have done a lot of fun reviews and are petrol heads. Plus a train spotter (meant only as a light joke). Is it progressing more towards "general entertainment" in the same way Top Gear did, it will be interesting to watch. I like them.
