THEGAYUK

Category: Review

  • CAR REVIEW | Honda Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Sport Navi

    CAR REVIEW | Honda Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Sport Navi

    ★★★★☆ | Honda Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Sport Navi

    What Have We Got?

    Honda’s Jazz has been a major seller for Honda globally. They are everywhere and here in its third generation, it gets better. Honda thankfully kept with the boxy estate car looks for the Jazz. It sets it out a little different in the small hatch crowd and yet it isn’t too off-the-wall different to alienate. 

    However, this new 1.5 i-VTEC Sport might just alienate the clientele of the Jazz. Does this sport-less badged Jazz ‘Sport’ have what it takes to wear the badge it is missing?

    Driving

    The best thing about the Sport is its gravelly voiced normally aspirated engine. The new 1.5 i-VTEC is a hoot and likes revs. This engine has 2 behaviours spread over 3 bands of power. Up to 3000rpm, it potters around. Responds to inputs. All good. 3000-4000rpm and it feels a little punchier. Still not enough to startle you. 4000-7000 redline and it screams along. 

    0-60 sprint feels quicker than its claimed 8.7 seconds and 3rd gear is good for over 70mph. 

    It’s no Jazz Type-R though. Its handling is way too safe. That said, you can exploit it quite nicely, and it will entertain once it has gone past its limits. Its limits are due to the compliant ride. It’s a good mix of firm and soft. It never crashes over ruts but is too soft and susceptible to a bit of a twitch at the rear to be an all-out GTi.

    Inside

    Heater controls in this model are simple twisting dials. Very simple and very easy to use. It all falls to hand well and the controls are weighted for ease of use. There is a downside and that’s cheap plastic. The door cards flex when the windows reach to the top.  

    You can’t deny that Honda are geniuses with space utilisation. The magic seat in the rear is versatile you wonder why it hasn’t been adopted by others? Flip the squabs and you get a deep narrow void to carry a small upright piano for a Mrs Mills sing-a-long. Fold it all flat and it’s a spacious 1314 litre carrying estate. There is more space in here than most larger SUV’s.

    Living With It

    The key to the Jazz’s success is easy to live with. Its mini estate car looks and versatility is endless. Its size is perfect.  

    The power from the 1.5 engine is startling. Considering its 7000rpm redline and its maximum torque at 4600rpm, the engine pulls itself along with little fuss from much lower down the rev range. It’s also a Honda Jazz so no one will try and burn you off at the traffic light grand prix. With its stealth looks, you can burn them off instead!

     

    The Verdict

    The Jazz Sport goes some way to shake off the image it has gained as transport for an elderly audience though I can’t help thinking that a few more sporting visuals would tip it into a different demographic.

    The A-Team’s Hannibal Smith was “on the jazz” when the going got good and I’m inclined to think you will too when behind the wheel of this Jazz Sport.

    Love

    Flexible engine

    Space utilisation 

    Short precise gear stick action 

    Loathe

    Cheap feeling cabin

    Lack of sports visuals

    Infotainment graphics look dated

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Honda Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Sport Navi

    Price – £18,265 (as tested)

    MPG – 47.9mpg (combined)

    Power – 130PS @ 6600rpm

    0-62mph –  8.7 seconds

    Top Speed –  118 mph

    Co2 – 134(g/km)

  • Top 5 Grooming Items for April 2019

    Top 5 Grooming Items for April 2019

    So it’s April and we are now firmly into the Spring season.

    That means the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Time to step up the grooming routine boys, it’s hotting up! Here are our Top 5 Grooming Items for April 2019.

    1. Recipe for Men: Alcohol-Free Antiperspirant Deodorant (£15.00)

    Now I know this seems a little pricey for something you put under your armpits but trust me here boys, this deodorant is worth every penny. This deodorant is not only alcohol-free and as such less damaging/drying to your skin but it’s the only thing that has ever stopped me sweating on the London Underground. In my opinion, anything that can keep you feeling fresh on the tube is worth the money. This product even stood up to our heatwave last year, so invest and trust me you won’t regret it. Also never left deodorant marks on my clothes, so a bonus!

    Available At: www.mankind.co.uk

    2. MAN CAVE: Anti-Pollution Face Serum (£10.00)

    Now I have to admit I wasn’t really buying into the whole anti-pollution skincare bandwagon at first. It all seemed a bit gimmicky to me. Living in London though, the epicentre of UK pollution. I decided to give this anti-pollution serum by MAN CAVE a try. One because it’s affordable and two because I have always heard great things about this brand but never tried any of their products.

    My impressions at first weren’t that great I’ll be honest. It nourished my skin but it didn’t really seem to do anything drastic. Then about 3 weeks into using this serum, I noticed that I wasn’t getting as many breakouts. Now, this was the only product I had added to my skincare regime at the time and so I can only presume, that this was the reason behind this. It has anti-irritation ingredients and is supposed to reduce the amount of stress your skin undergoes from environmental factors on a daily basis.

    Seeing these effects happen on my skin over the course of using this product, I am now sold on the anti-pollution skincare bandwagon. This serum genuinely changed the way my skin was reacting to my environment and the result was much clearer skin. So I would definitely recommend this to any city dwellers out there, especially in London.

    Available At: www.mancaveinc.com

    3. Monu Skin: Vital Eye Gel For Men (£23.94)

    I’ll be honest, I had never heard of Monu Skin before I received this product in a subscription box I was reviewing for you guys (the review will be up soon, so look out!). This product really stood out to me though and so I had to share it with you.

    Essentially this is a lightweight eye gel, that is intended to wake up your eye area and reduce fatigue. What I loved about it, was that it was a product I could use in my morning and night routines but achieve different results. In the morning, the product would instantly reduce any puffiness around my eye area and make it look like I actually had 8 hours. Unlike the more realistic 6 on a good day. Then in the evening after a long day, it instantly soothed my eye area and took any fatigue from the day from my eyes. Over the course of using the product, I had people visibly notice that I looked more awake and that my eye area looked more youthful in general. So I would definitely give this one a go if you seem to be burning the candle at both ends lately like myself.

    Available At: www.monushop.co.uk

    4. Timeless Truth: Hydra-Intense Black Charcoal Mask (£5.25)

    Who doesn’t love a good sheet mask? Quick, simple and instantly visible results. This Hydra-Intense Black Charcoal Mask from Timeless Truth is no exception to the rule. Leave the mask on for 15-20 mins and what you’re left with is a more plump and radiant complexion. The charcoal in the mask also helps to draw out impurities. So I don’t personally think we can go wrong with this one.

    Pro-tip: get the excess serum from the mask and sachet after application and apply to the face and neck. You don’t want to be wasteful after all.

    Available At: www.beautybelle.ie

    5. PETER THOMAS ROTH: 10% Glycolic Solutions Moisturizer (£35.50)

    Last on the list for this month, is an entry from skincare giant PETER THOMAS ROTH. There is no doubt that this brand is known for its high-quality products and these products having a high percentage of active ingredients. This moisturiser is no exception. With 10% Glycolic Acid, this product gently exfoliates away those dead skin cells that lead to a dull complexion. Following using this product for a good 4/5 weeks, what I noticed was that my skin looked more radiant and my complexion was much more even.

    I personally used this moisturiser as part of my nighttime skincare routine, as I didn’t want the acid reacting to any UV exposure but always find what works best for you with skincare. If using this during the daytime though, I would definitely recommend using an SPF. Just to be on the safe side with any sensitivity.

    Also when using this product at first, you may experience a slight tingling sensation. What I learnt, was that my skin was just getting used to the active ingredient (Glycolic Acid) being present on my skin and this tingling went away by the end of week one. If your skin does react badly to this product though or you are prone to sensitive skin, then it may be best skipping this one.

    Available At: www.cultbeauty.co.uk

  • REVIEW| The Three Best Gins: It’s Gin O’Clock!

    REVIEW| The Three Best Gins: It’s Gin O’Clock!

    It’s official April is here, spring is here and yes that’s right so is British Summer Time!

    So now we get an extra hour of daylight each day, to indulge in all our spring debauchery. Now as much as we could be referring to what goes down on Hampstead Heath… We at THEGAYUK will try and keep our debauchery PG for now. Indeed we are talking about all the debauchery that goes down in beer gardens and parks across the nation. It’s time to swap the winter whiskey for a refreshing G&T and don’t worry if you don’t know your Hendrick’s from your Gordons, we’ve got your back. Here’s our Top 3 Gin Guide for Spring 2019, with tasting notes and all. You’ll be a gin pro in no time.

     

    1. Harahorn Norwegian Gin

    Yes, you did indeed read right, Scandinavians make gin! The first gin to be featured on the top list is our Norwegian entrant Harahorn gin. Named after the Harahorn mountain in Norway and depicting the ever daunting image of a hare with horns, this gin is definitely an all-around favourite. By far the smoothest gin in our list, Harahorn is definitely the one to go for if you’re new to the gin scene. It’s a simple but delightfully smooth gin, with a neutral palette. Pair with blueberries for a subtle berry infusion and a flower or two, you know for the aesthetic. After all, if it’s not on Insta did it even happen?

    Recommended For: Anyone new to gin, who want a safe first dip into the gin pool.

    Instagram @harahorngin

    2. Blue Bottle Dry Gin

    Second, on our list, is our Guernsey entrant Blue Bottle Dry Gin. Now, this gin is indeed something special and can safely be considered an artisanal masterpiece. The gin which is brewed in copper stills at the Three Fingers Distillery in Guernsey combines a mirage of botanicals to create a truly unique taste. This gin is definitely one for the seasoned gin lover. With their tagline “Look for beauty everywhere.”, it’s definitely a gin that you will keep you yearning for more. With new tastes and experiences awaiting you, at every sip.

    We recommend serving with a slice of grapefruit, to truly explore the subtle taste notes of this gin. Floral in nature, the juniper is enhanced by the bitterness of the grapefruit and the subtle undertone of vanilla comes through. The result, a truly unique tasting experience that will definitely have gin lovers hooked.

    Recommended For: The seasoned gin lover, who wants to experience something truly unique on the gin scene.

    Instagram @bluebottlegin

    3. Conker Spirit RNLI Navy Strength Gin

    Finally, the third and final entrant to our list is our English entry. Conker Spirit RNLI Navy Strength Gin hails from Dorset, England and is a gin that supports the life-saving work of the RNLI. The gin was created in partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and for every bottle sold, £5.00 is donated to the charity, to support their lifesaving work. So you can enjoy a cheeky G&T while doing good, definitely a brand we can get behind! The gin itself is smooth and by far the sweetest gin in our list.

    Similarly to the Blue Bottle Dry Gin, we’d recommend serving this one with grapefruit. The sharpness of the grapefruit will ground the sweetness of the drink. Creating a truly indulgent citrus palette for you to enjoy. Perfect on a sunny spring day in the park! If you also enjoy a neat whiskey in winter, try this beauty with a squeeze of grapefruit juice on the rocks. Rare we like neat gin but this one is an exception to the norm.

    Recommended For: Those with a sweet tooth, who enjoy a sweet citrus kick.

     Instagram @conkerspirit

    So there we have it. You are now indeed prepared to enjoy that extra hour of spring sunshine and hit the bar/park to enjoy a freshly made G&T. Let us know your thoughts below if you get the chance to try one of our favourites above or if you think we missed any from the list. Enjoy the sun and experimenting with your new favourite gins!

    Photography: Georgia Faid @georgiafaid

    Edited by: Daniel Dvir @danieldvirhere

  • The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Seat Ibiza 2002 – 2008

    The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Seat Ibiza 2002 – 2008

    The Good, The Bad and the Ugly : The Seat Ibiza Mk3. Type 6L. 2002-2008

    An irrelevant look at a certain car.

    This Ibiza was a bit of a revelation from Seat. Finally, they had a car on the British shores that you actually wanted.

    This was VW’s second attempt with the Ibiza. Compared to the rest of the family from VAG, It had a design flair all of its own. Ibiza 1 was sharp. That was designed by Ital. Ibiza 2 looked like a ripe butternut squash. And due to its shape, meant you couldn’t, sadly, lose it up your rectum!

    Ibiza 3 looked as aggressive as a Spanish taxi driver drove. I would have said a Matador but have you seen the embroidery work in their costumes? Quite exquisite and so delicate. Anyway, gone were those fat dumpy looks, the Polo dashboard and the general dead feel of the car. Look at it from underneath and you’d think this was a VW Polo. Or a Skoda Fabia. From the top, it was all Spanish, all Seat and all very Mediterranean.

    And that Mediterranean feel could also be felt through the ventilation system. Any car without a sunroof was incredibly hopeless in its ability to draw in fresh air. Aircon helped but what you really wanted was something that allowed the rush of air to pass through the cabin.

    Opening a window wasn’t always an option. Closed windows give better miles per gallon and the thing could fly. You see, if you were wise and a bit ‘tight’ with the pennies, you’d have opted for the 1.4 3 cylinder diesel engine.

    That’s right, a 3 cylinder diesel. Now VAG doesn’t have a good record with ageing 3 cylinders. The 3 pot petrol engines are crap. Remember the Polo? RUN! In diesel, it was great. 79 bhp felt like 179 and but that 195Ib ft of torque was most useful. These were diesels that didn’t sound too diesely and sipped the fuel like an introvert drinking a Babycham at a swingers party.

    It was that magic 195Ib ft of torque that made the Ibiza 3 fun. They came with big alloys and low profile tyres so handling was always fun. It was all slick and it all worked in the way VW, sorry, Seat made them work. The 5-speed gearbox snicked in and out of the ratios with reassurance. And come night time, the dashboard was ALL red and ALL sporty and ALL racy and, well not blue like a VW.

    Parked the right way, Ibiza 3 is a good car to look at with its big S as a nose. Park it so you can see those rear lights and your eyes are insulted by these ugly 4 pots in a baguette style slither of plastic like those from the dodgems of a 70’s Torremolinos funfair ride.

    Thankfully, in 1.4 diesel form, it’s pretty quick so those behind you don’t have to endure that visual fright and for that one thing alone, I am saying the Ibiza 3 is a good car.

    BUT ONLY IN DIESEL! with a sunroof. And aircon.

  • CAR REVIEW | Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    CAR REVIEW | Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    ★★★☆☆ | Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    What Have We Got?

    I’m a lumberjack… and I’m OK, I cut down trees, I skip and jump”. We have the Jeep Renegade and these make me smile. There have been a few revisions carried out recently, most notably being the bumpers and change in headlights that add new aggression to the chunky monkey. New engines have also been added and for this, we have the 1.6 120hp turbo diesel. We tested the top of the range 4WD Trial hawk model in 2017 and it made my top 3 list. Does the new 2WD Limited model cut it? 

     

    Driving

    The first thing that strikes you with this 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine is the throttle lag when pulling away. It might have become the industry ‘norm’ for this type of engine to respond this way, but it doesn’t make it right. It isn’t a problem once you are moving in traffic. Pulling into traffic is when you really feel it. You then have to adapt your driving style. In that, I mean rev the engine to around 1600 rpm and then when you can, let out the clutch and pull away. 

    That’s a lot of effort and ruins an otherwise enjoyable vehicle. The ride is soft if a little floaty and road noise is quite subdued. The engine is vocal when really pushed and doesn’t encourage all-out performance. 

     

    Inside

    There haven’t been any major changes inside. The Jeep face and logos are still there in places around the windows and interior trim. It’s still put together well with no rattles. One thing that is noticeable was the appalling paint finish within the boot shut to an almost unacceptable finish. 

    As before with the inside, it is rather spacious and wide for what is a small SUV though still dark. The seats are comfortable and wide and the view out is good. Big screen pillars don’t obscure your forward view because they are so far forward. What isn’t, is the centre armrest. It’s too far back to be of any use to anyone.

    Living With It

    Throttle lag aside, it’s still a nice SUV that manages to break to visual mould in the crowded SUV market. It doesn’t bring anything new to the market or do anything different but what it does is do is make others think that you are in a car more capable of going anywhere when in actual fact, it’s 2WD so it won’t. Like wearing ladies high heels in secret, those outside won’t need to know this.

    The Verdict

    I still like the Jeep Renegade. There is just something about it that makes you pat it as a member of the family. Just when “retro” seems done, the Jeep still manages to invigorate this genre with it with cuddly looks.

    It’s got a full personality all of its own x2, like being a 2×2 instead of a 4×4. It’s now Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in its cuddly looks and annoying engine. The throttle lag is my biggest gripe. If it was my money, I’d buy it with a petrol engine.  

    Love

    Looks

    Comfort

    Space

    Loathe

    Throttle lag

    Infotainment screen too low

    Alarm/door opening beep

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    Price – £29,350 (as tested)

    MPG – 57.6mpg (combined)

    Power – 120HP

    0-62mph –  10.2 seconds

    Top Speed – 110 mph

    Co2 – 129 (g/km)

  • FILM REVIEW | Yuli

    FILM REVIEW | Yuli

    ★★★★ | Yuli

    Famous Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta plays himself in a beautiful drama/documentary about his life as a ballet star as well as his life growing up poor in Cuba.

    ‘Yuli’ – the nickname given to him by his father Pedro – is very unique in its storytelling. It not only goes into detail about his struggle to become a ballet dancer, but the film also deals with his relationship with his family, his home country of Cuba, as well as the troubled relationship he had with his father. Scenes of the adult Acosta are interspersed with scenes of his childhood, with Edilson Manuel Olbera more than ably playing Acosta as a young boy in a poor area of Havana with his family and separated parents who still live together.

    Cuba is also a star of the film. There are beautiful shots of the Malecon (a broad road esplanade hugging the coastline in Havana), old yet beautiful architecture in Havana, long shots of the city streets, and a stunning finale shot of the famous Great Theatre of Havana, where a young Acosta learned ballet.

    Members of Acosta’s family ended up fleeing Cuba for the United States. Yet Yuli’s parents continued to urge him to dance, and they, along with ballet teachers, saw something special in him. He gets chances to go to the best ballet schools, ending up in both the U.S. and then in London, where he became a permanent member of The Royal Ballet for 17 years. Keyvin Martinez plays Acosta as a young man, a man who misses home and almost decides to give it up all just so he can return to his beloved Cuba (and mom).

    There are lots and lots of beautiful dance scenes that impact the viewer on what a beautiful, stunning and amazing are that ballet is. The dance scenes are transitional – these dance scenes guide us from one scene to the next, and this works beautifully. And Acosta, as an actor, is very good at playing himself.

    Yuli is such a beautiful film – it’s an event film that is beautifully directed by Icíar Bollaín, but this is Acosta’s film.  What Yuli doesn’t do is to convey how famous Acosta was during his heyday. Sure he is world-renowned for his dance work, but the film doesn’t really convey this, nor does it show much of Acosta interacting socially with fellow dancers, most of whom are gay (Acosta is straight). But these are just minor blips. ‘Yuli’ is a film that can be enjoyed whether you love ballet or not. 

    Yuli now playing at a cinema near you.

  • TV REVIEW | Drag Race Season 11 Episode 7 Back, Back, Back again!!

    TV REVIEW | Drag Race Season 11 Episode 7 Back, Back, Back again!!

    Yes!! There she was at last: the much quoted much mentioned Alyssa Edwards returned to Drag Race this week and breathed some much-needed life in this year’s slightly confusing season.

    The episode started with the queens feeling a bit low and irritated with each other. RuPaul seemed intent on changing this rut this week, staging a potato-sack race (with boobs) that put a bit of a smile on the queen’s faces (especially the winners as the best queens got rather a lot of money!!)

    The challenge itself, though, brought everyone back to earth: Farm to Runway. The queens got the almost impossible challenge of turning farm food and fabric into actual fashion worthy challenges.

    A lot of the queens seem happy with the challenge, ready to show their creative selves.

    This week the episode was very much Plastique Tiara’s chance to shine, and she did!! Her emotional talk with RuPaul about her upbringing and sad relationship with her family was heartbreaking, resulting in the first documented workroom hug from Ru. Then we were later introduced to her lighter more carefree side with the arrival of her drag-mother: Alyssa. The change in attitude from Plastique was amazing, and resulted in getting her first big win!! Well done.

    It seemed Alyssa had a positive influence on everyone with her catwalk training, fun motivational speeches and choreography. It was the first time all queens seemed at ease and smiling.
    The show is stressful and emotional, and having a person step in with a positive attitude who knows what you’ve been through helps a lot. Alyssa is a great teacher and it was clear she cares for her new drag sisters (and daughters) a lot.

    Sadly nothing could help poor Ra’Jah. The queen clearly felt undervalued in the show, longing for praise and help, but also pushing away everyone who reached out. Over the weeks it was sad to see a clearly talented artist fall victim to their (in Ru’s words) “Inner saboteur”.

    What was also sad was hearing her tell Akeria about knowing she was having a breakdown but no-one was helping her, no one had ever told her she was loved. The jealousy she displayed towards Plastique came from a place of hurt. It was good to see a young queen like Plastique sensing this and comforting the angry Ra’Jah instead of fighting.

    She explained this later:

    https://twitter.com/plastiquetiara/status/1116715770128498693

    https://twitter.com/plastiquetiara/status/1116715771382697984

    Hopefully Ra’Jah will find her inner peace so her true talent can shine one day. A lot of queens got the chance to redeem themselves during an All Star season, I hope she can have that too.

    Judging from her after show interviews she has already started working on her problems.
    But we’ll see at the reunion.

    With Ra’Jah gone focus is now shifting to the differences between Yvie Oddly, Silky and Miss Vanjie. This could be getting interesting!! Stay tuned!!

  • Kettle One and The White Haus

    Kettle One and The White Haus

    For those of you (like me) who like their alcohol a bit on the soft side, swimming with aromatic flavours, then you can’t go wrong with Ketel One’s new Botanicals range.

    Flavours such as Grapefruit & Rose, Peach & Orange Blossom, and my favourite – the subtle Cucumber & Mint (oh so refreshing, mild, and not tasting alcoholic at all) will knock your socks off with a sophisticated and fresh taste.

    These drinks are crafted with natural botanicals & fruit essence, with no artificial flavours, and when mixed with soda, deliver a small blip of 82 calories per serving, unlike like other alcoholic drinks (Tequila can you hear me?).

    But after a recent promotional night at a Ketel One event, I am a true believer and will now be a follower of the brand. I am a huge fan of fruit-flavoured drinks, but this fruit flavoured vodka has the vibrancy and bounce like being a spirit, but it is a moderate and more natural and balanced choice. But most importantly, the drinks are so delicious you will want to try all three! Hopefully not at the same time.

    Grapefruit & Rose is freshly squeezed grapefruit with a touch of rose (just like it says on the tin); Cucumber & Mint is also exactly as stated, and Peach & Orange Blossom is fresh juicy ripe peach with a subtle orange blossom finish. You can drinks these drinks any way you want, but for a true taste of the flavour, I recommend drinking them right out of the bottle (from a glass of course) to get the true flavour into your mouth. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

    The event I attended for Ketel One was held at the centrally-located (and fabulous) three story The White Haus on Farringdon Street right near the Holborn Viaduct.

    The White Haus, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week including Saturdays, is a cosy restaurant/bar similar in style to a chalet tucked away somewhere in the Swiss Alps. Its vibe and decor make you feel like you are no longer in London. With a roaring fireplace, cosy corners with sheepskin throws, a private dining room downstairs, and a bookable cable car for six (probably the only one in London!), The White Haus is a place that is both cool and comfortable. And the food is just what you would expect, comfort food, whether you are there for breakfast and brunch, or for a taste of their A La Carte menu (Sandwiches, Salads and Mains – Steak, Fish and Pizza), or perhaps their Saturday brunch menu or a separate Function Menu, any need you have The White Haus will cater for it. There is also, of course, drinks – Cocktails, and Hot Drinks – just like what you would want apres ski – should be enough to get you to go there. So whether you go to The White Haus for some fresh, healthy and great tasting Kettle One drinks, or for something totally different, either way, you are onto a winner.

  • CAR REVIEW | Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180HP

    CAR REVIEW | Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180HP

    ★★★★☆ | Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180HP

    Bad Boy Abarth.

    What Have We Got?

    We have here something we shouldn’t have. The Fiat 500 I had booked wasn’t ready, so Tom at FCA offered me the Abarth 595 Competizione. I pondered if I could find more words for another brutal 500 Abarth. We’ve had the 695 Biposto and the 595 Rivale and they don’t get any better than those two.

    It just so happens that I was able to find some words for this model. A model that left me in a bit of a predicament.
    Driving

    From turning the key and switching it on, to arriving at your destination and switching it off, both you and the surrounding area will know of your departure and arrival. The exhaust note from the Monza quad tailpipes of this 1.4 180 hp turbo engine bark and growl their intention.

    And driving is what this car is all about. As for driving aids, you get reverses parking sensors. No frontal crash mitigation, no radar, no auto dip/full beam headlights, no cruise control. You are in total control. What you do is down to you. You literally are at one with the machine.

    Inside

    The interior of the Competizione is taken over by supportive cloth and suede covered Sabelt seats. You can tell they were not designed for the 595. The backrest adjuster is so close to the door that you have to open it to adjust.

    The suede on steering wheel and binnacle was a nice touch. Shame then about the rather drab grey plastic of the dashboard and door cards. You feel a bit of body colour would add to a stripped out racy interior.

     

    Living With It

    Let us forget about practicalities here. The rear seat is no more than a padded parcel shelf and the boot is OK for a car of this size. You do however get climate control and a rather good thumping Beats Hi-Fi.

    So let’s look at living with it as a driving machine. Here is where it excels. The ride is hard, leading to even harder, depending on the road surface. And this is a fun element because with the wide 205/40 tyres on 17” alloys, it tends to tramline quite a lot and this is exaggerated on hard acceleration where the steering wheel fights with torque steer. Hit the TTC button (Torque Transfer Control) and it will put the power to either front wheel with the most grip, and it makes it quite riotous.

    Add that to the power of the engine and the lightning speed it responds to inputs from the loud pedal, and you soon find yourself behind the wheel of a car that you can exploit its high levels of adhesion. It will understeer momentarily until the TTC kicks in and then you find you are flicking it around with gusto.

    The Verdict

    You have to LOVE this car a lot to want one. As an everyday proposition, I can’t really recommend it. It’s not a bad car, quite the contrary, it’s just that it is ‘on the go’ all the time, sport mode on or off. As a weekend toy, you won’t find much better.

    In many ways, the 595 Competizione is the bad boy of the Abarth range. The adrenaline-fuelled addiction borders on lustful cravings and coercion. It’ll lead you into a secluded carpark, shove its hands down your pants, make you do things you didn’t want to do and then leave you wanting more.

    We’re off for a cigarette now. I don’t smoke but I need to gather my senses. I’m flustered and wasted!

    Love

    Snap happy handling

    Speed

    Intoxicating at its limits

    Loathe

    Drab interior

    Ability to drink fuel

    Lousy self-control to drive it normally

    The Lowdown

    Car –Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 T-Jet 180HP

    Price – £ 22,535 (as tested)

    MPG – 47.1 mpg (combined)

    Power – 180HP

    0-62mph – 6.8 seconds

    Top Speed – 140 mph

    Co2 – 139 (g/km)

  • TV REVIEW | Rupaul’s Drag Race season 11 episode 6: Drag Olympics

    This week the theme was “sport” and the Olympics. Not words you expect to hear in Drag Race, but the Sport was Jane Fonda based and the Olympics turned out to be in fact “The Olympics of Drag”, so any worry soon disappeared.

    For the mini-challenge, we were introduced to a drag friend of Ru’s: Love Connie, who led the queens through a vigorous and funny retro aerobics challenge. For those of you who don’t know: Connie is a rather famous queen, having starred in movies like Legally Blonde. She was also hilarious.

    Winners of the challenge were Plastique Tiara and A’Keria C. Davenport who were told to select teams for the Drag Olympics. At the end of the selections, the queens were split evenly into two teams: those who could move and those who … couldn’t …

    Over to rehearsals of an intricate choreography based on the history of ballroom culture. This is where storylines came into play.

    Yvie Oddly who pushes through the pain because her time is limited: her illness will progress over the years and she knows she may very well end up in a wheelchair (though she knows that still won’t stop her performing.)

    There was also the Scarlet Envy story: most of the queens are looking down on her and seemed gleeful about her struggling with dancing.

    Vanjie is starting to feel depressed and is a lot more subdued. Fighting through tears she explains she feels she isn’t presenting her best self and letting Rupaul down.

    We also saw Plastique Tiara a bit more involved in it all, in Untucked she was actually part of a fight.

    Silky accused her of looking down on her and other queens. This because Ariel Versace left some wigs and hair at her (Plastique’s) station which Silky and others took. Plastique knew it was meant for her but said it didn’t matter as the other queens needed it more. Silky saw that as an insult and claimed Plastique couldn’t know the hair was for her. Ariel confirmed on Twitter that yes is was for Plastique.

    Okay, the Olympics themselves were fabulous with the teams dancing to remixes of Drag Race quotes past. The only cloud over this was poor Yvie’s ankle rolling, still, it was a joy to see Brook Lynn swoop in to carry her so she could take part in the finale.

    The Runway this week was all about gold. Most memorable being Yvie, who used her injury to her advantage.

    The team featuring the best dancers naturally won, with team leader A’keria winning overall.

    Then a sad moment where the losing team all deciding to throw Scarlet under the bus, which saw her end up in the bottom two at a disadvantage.

    Second-bottom two entree was once again Ra’Jah, who miraculously survived again despite Scarlet’s lip-sync being more original and entertaining. This result caused quite the stir on the internet.

    So that’s it for this belated review, hopefully back to normal next week!!

  • CAR REVIEW | Jaguar F-Type Flying the Flag of a 70 year Tradition

    CAR REVIEW | Jaguar F-Type Flying the Flag of a 70 year Tradition

    Jaguar has a rich a varied history when it comes to sports cars and this year, they are celebrating 70 years of their sporting cars with the launch late in 2018 of the F-Type Chequered Flag editions, there are 3 engines 300PS 4 cylinder, 340PS V6 and the 380PS V6 that comes with RWD or AWD transmissions. All set-ups are covered in either the coupe or convertible body variants.

    All models come with a host of extras over the standard R-Dynamic that they are based on. 3 colours available, Caldera red, Fuji white or Carpathian grey metallic.  

    Ian Callum, Director of Design said: In creating the Chequered Flag, we’ve focused on details which enhance F-Type’s presence and the promise of performance and in doing so, made a fitting celebration of 70 years of beautiful, fast, Jaguar sports cars.

    Highlights include a luxurious Windsor Leather interior featuring sports seats with embossed headrests, a dark brushed aluminium centre console trim finisher and in recognition of Jaguar’s motorsport successes, a steering wheel with discrete Chequered Flag logo and red leather band to mark the 12 o’clock position. Coupe models also come with a black contrasting roof.

    Driving styles, it has to be said that the lower powered of the 3, to me at least, is the better to drive. For what it lacks in grunt measured in torque at 44Ib.ft less than the 339Ib.ft of the more powerful V6 with all-wheel drive, it makes for a more responsive car when it comes to the handling. 

    On the limit, the AWD V6 weighing 125 kg more, feels the more heavy, especially at the front. The front, where you want grip and feedback from the steering. The AWD model has a tendency to plough on with some understeer if you behave stupidly or apply the power at the wrong time. There is a fine balancing act to it. It’s rewarding when you get it right. The grip of the AWD system making for quick exits out of the corners. And the growl from the V6 is intoxicating.

    The 4 cylinder RWD model, lighter and less powerful, is more fun to throw around. You can have some fun playing with weight bias more towards the rear on this car. It doesn’t require much thought when putting the power down but it will still bite if you overindulge your skills.

    I’ve said it again and I’ll say it now, out of the 2 bodies, the convertible wins for me. In this Chequered Flag edition, it is now a bargain £5,000 more. Not so long ago it was £10k. 

    So the big question is, is the Chequered Flag edition worth the extra £6k more than the equivalent R-Dynamic models? It’s all in the little details that add up and any special edition comes with an extra premium price. It’s just that, yes, I do like it, I just wish it shouted about it a bit louder like the rally model.

    Now THAT does shout out! 

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Jaguar F-Type Chequered Flag edition. Coupe or Convertible 300PS 4 cylinder

    Price – From £62,335 (Coupe) £67,185 (Convertible)

    MPG – 31 mpg – (combined)

    Power – 300PS

    0-62mph – 5.7 seconds

    Top Speed –  155 mph

    Co2 – (g/km) 179

    Car –  Jaguar F-Type Chequered Flag edition. Coupe or Convertible 340PS V6

    Price – From £66,615 (Coupe) £71,465 (Convertible)

    MPG – 28.3 (combined)

    Power – 340PS 

    0-62mph – 5.1 seconds

    Top Speed –  161 mph

    Co2 – 224 (g/km)

    Car –  Jaguar F-Type Chequered Flag edition. Coupe or Convertible 380PS V6

    Price – From £72,715 (Coupe) £77,565 (Convertible)

    MPG – 26.6 mpg(combined)

    Power – 380PS 

    0-62mph – 4.8 seconds

    Top Speed –  171 mph

    Co2 – (g/km) 223