The Friday Fast Lane: return of the rotary, things you can't tow and Robert e-Niro?

Friday, 5 October 2018

This week in The Friday Fast Lane: the rotary returns (but not as you might expect), Robert De Niro plugs the Kia e-Niro and bloated British 'classics'

Return of the rotary

Are you desperately keen to buy a new car powered bya rotary engine? Absolutely hanging out to once again experience turbine-smooth acceleration accompanied by that evocative and spine-tinglingly distinctive rotary BRRAAAAAPPPP?

A range extender? Come on, Mazda, we want a new one of THESE! (even though sports cars don't really sell enough to justify the investment anymore)

Well, you are going to hate this then.

Mazda has announced that it will launch a new rotary vehicle in 2020, but it will be a range extended electric car…

The Japanese company will launch its first two EVs in two year's time, with one being a pure EV, while the other will be the range extender, using a 'small, lightweight and exceptionally quiet rotary engine' to boost the range.

* Towing a trailer on a Lamborghini? Whatever floats your goat

* Kia Niro could be the tonic for people who don't like weird hybrids**

While a rotary makes immense sense as a range extender, as the application plays directly to its strength - super smoothness - and eliminates its major weakness - higher fuel consumption - by running it at a constant speed (it's the acceleration that sucks the fuel), it is still not what the true rotary enthusiasts would want to hear. Where's that new RX-7?!

Surprisingly, you can't do this…

It may surprise you to learn this, but it is apparently illegal in the USA to tow an SUV on a trailer while that SUV is, in turn, towing a caravan. Who would have though it?

Oh, wait, anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together. But not, it would seem, the driver of this rental truck in California who was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol recently for doing just that.

What would John and Ponch think? Actually, that seems like a good enough reason to dust off the opening credits of one of the greatest cop shows of all time (rose-tinted glasses necessary); CHiPs!

You lookin' at me?

It is rare that a car maker discovers front man for an advertising campaign so absolutely perfect that it is almost literally spelt out for them, but that has happened for Kia.

The Korean company has just announced that the front man for its European advertising blitz for the forthcoming e-Niro EV is going to be… Robert De Niro.

'The communication plan for the e-Niro will be as special as the car itself,' said Artur Martins, vice president for marketing and product planning at Kia Motors Europe.

Somehow these not-so-classic British cars look better inflated...

'These advertisements will draw on Robert De Niro's unique ability to entertain, as he educates drivers about the e-Niro – a car that breaks down many of the obstacles to electric vehicle ownership in a way that few others have.'

'Plus, look at his name - it's almost the same!' he didn't add, but we bet he was dying to.

This could be a massive, cheesy disaster, but do remember that Kia bought us this ad:

Bloated motors

Now, we have absolutely no idea what is going on with these animations, but they are strangely satisfying and seriously well done.

UK design studio INK has had a bit of fun with some of less-than-classic British cars from the 'period of design that taste forgot' with its latest project.

No doubt done to show what it can actually do, the short videos show the British 'classics' bowing up and gently floating away. Which, arguably, is probably the best thing for an Austin Allegro, really.

Or an Austin Princess…

Although, we do have to admit a soft spot for the brilliantly angular Triumph TR7, particularly now in its newly-inflated form.