For the first time, I am discussing Dacia on my blog. However, Dacia has recently accomplished remarkable engineering work with the Spring. The Dacia Spring is the brand’s newest electric car.
It starts at £14,995, weighs only 975 kg, 26.8 kWh battery, and has a range of 220 km (137 miles). These figures alone are enough to regard the Spring as a marvel of engineering. An electric car that weighs less than a tonne, costs less than a Loro Piana parka (£24,715), and offers features such as four doors, ample space for adults, air conditioning, central locking, electric windows, and a digital instrument panel.
Honestly, the Dacia Spring is the ideal city car. It’s affordable to purchase, likely economical to operate, and incorporates the latest technology (i.e., electric propulsion). If you’re in the market for an electric car and don’t want to spend a fortune, the Dacia is worth considering. Orders can be placed with a £99 deposit.
Keep in mind, Dacia is part of the Renault group, and much of Dacia’s engineering is derived from Renault. I don’t want to delve into all the details about the Spring here; instead, visit their website and make your own informed decision.
In case you have never heard before, Saint Laurent has an outlet north of London, a place called Bicester Village. It is only a one-hour train ride from London Marylebone train station for £30 (this price will be higher when you read this article). At Bicester Village outlet you will find many high-end brands like Saint Laurent. Unlike many other outlets, Saint Laurent is full of surprises.
The first surprise is the lower prices, that’s normal for an outlet. But the Saint Laurent outlet hinders some extremely unique pieces. The pieces you never noticed or missed or have never been to your local Saint Lauren store.
I don’t want to talk about what you can find at Saint Laurent Bicester Village store, I would like to leave you with photos of the amazing bags, shoes, heels and unique pieces. Believe me, visiting the Saint Laurent Bicester Village store is worth that ridiculous train ticket!
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I’m interested in purchasing a brand-new Ferrari LaFerrari. Unfortunately, the opportunity to acquire one passed in 2013—over a decade ago. Regrettably, I don’t possess a time machine to facilitate the purchase of a LaFerrari from that year.
However, HR Owen Ferrari London currently has a pristine LaFerrari available for sale. The vehicle boasts only factory delivery miles, with a mere 135 miles on its odometer. It’s perplexing why someone would refrain from driving such an exquisite car like the Ferrari LaFerrari.
Returning to the matter of the LaFerrari, I cannot confirm its current availability. To ascertain its status, you’ll need to reach out to them directly. Additionally, be prepared to allocate £3.5 million from your savings account for this potential acquisition.
Regarding the history of this particular LaFerrari, it was initially purchased in November 2014 and changed hands in March 2015. Since then, it has remained in the possession of the same owner and has been meticulously maintained by HR Owen Ferrari in London. The car is essentially brand new. Upon purchase, the vehicle will come with a 2-year warranty, inclusive of the batteries. A battery warranty for a decade-old car is exceptionally rare, making this offer quite enticing. Notably, even Tesla cannot match the level of warranty coverage for their pre-owned cars’ batteries.
In 1994, I was 13 years old when I discovered something intriguing – brake dust emissions. Naturally, people didn’t take me seriously. The dilemma of being a kid and identifying fundamental problems seemed contradictory. Since then, I’ve always wondered: what happens to brake dust? With millions of vehicles on the road using their brakes to slow down, the friction between the brake disc and the rotors must generate dust. But where does it go?
It turns out the European Union (EU) shared a similar concern and decided to address brake dust emissions. But they didn’t stop there; they also included tyre emissions in their considerations.
What are tyre emissions? When you drive a car or anything with rubber tyres, friction between the road and the tyre occurs. This friction, even in tiny toy cars, causes the tyres to wear out. Again, the question arises: where does the tyre debris end up? On the road! Surprisingly, even bicycles contribute to tyre emissions. Bicycles are not as innocent as they seem.
Last year, Salesforce’s automotive team in London brought attention to tyre emissions during their automotive conference.
So, what’s happening? The Euro 7 emissions level will not only address engine emissions but also brake and tyre emissions.
According to the EU press office, the limits for braking emissions are as follows: for cars and vans, the agreed compromise text specifies a limit of 3 mg/km in the standard driving cycle for pure electric vehicles and 7 mg/km for all other powertrains. Specific limits for heavy vans are included, namely 5 mg/km for pure electric vehicles and 11 mg/km for other powertrains.
During the research for this article, I couldn’t find any official dates for the tyre emissions level yet.
So, what does this mean? The EU has finally realized that tailpipe emissions are not the only contributors to environmental pollution; brakes and tyres play a role too. However, when brake pads and tyres fall under Euro 7 regulations, will they be enforced for bicycles? After all, bicycles have tyres and brakes!
As for the introduction of Euro 7, according to the EU’s website, it will be on 1st July 2025. Not much time for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to redesign their products to comply with the new regulations.
Today marks the 14th year of my blog. I began blogging precisely 14 years ago in 2009. During the initial five years, I wrote every day. In those times, people actively engaged with blogs, and the blogging community thrived. However, as the medium evolved, readership dwindled, and many bloggers disappeared. Despite this trend, I persevered in writing for the sheer enjoyment it brought me, with no financial motives attached.
Thanks to my enduring passion, I have continued this journey. I am curious to see how long I will continue to blog and how many more birthday posts I will share here.
Have you ever wondered why Arlettie is hailed as London’s best-kept secret? Perhaps you’re envisioning an exclusive members’ club in Mayfair or a hidden gem tucked away in Camden or Shoreditch. Contrary to expectations, it’s not about the conventional secretive locales; Arlettie stands out in a league of its own.
Acknowledging the boldness of this title for a blog post, I stumbled upon Arlettie thanks to a captivating TikTok video. Regrettably, I’m unable to disclose the specific brand featured in the video, but trust me, it’s mind-blowing.
Arlettie, a Parisian sample sale brand, distinguishes itself from others in its league. Unlike sales that peddle leftover items from department stores, Arlettie exclusively showcases merchandise directly from renowned brands. While there are some brands I can’t mention publicly, they do make appearances at Arlettie sample sales— a fact that left me in disbelief as I witnessed it firsthand.
To get a glimpse of ongoing sales, you can visit Arlettie’s website. However, unlocking the full potential of this secret requires opting for member or VIP levels. This exclusive access reveals brands that elevate the concept of a ‘sample sale’ to unprecedented heights.
So, what makes these sample sales so extraordinary and clandestine? The experience is nothing short of amazing! I urge you to be there at the earliest opportunity, prepared to have your expectations surpassed and your mind blown. Arlettie Sample Sales are a secret worth discovering!
Christian Louboutin Kate 85 vs. Sporty Kate 85 is perhaps the most frequently asked question among Louboutin buyers. Before delving into the comparison, it’s essential to note that Kate heels are based on the So Kate heels, originally designed for the iconic model Kate Moss in 2013.
The Christian Louboutin So Kate 120 heels stand out as one of the most iconic pointy-toe pumps, but their height, at 120mm, can be daunting for many. Consequently, So Kate heels are ideal for short periods of wear or may end up residing in a wardrobe for extended periods.
To address this, Christian Louboutin introduced the Kate 85 and Sporty Kate 85 as a solution. To ensure the accuracy of this comparison, I reached out to Miranda from Christian Louboutin Vancouver.
Both Kate 85 and Sporty Kate 85 feature 85mm heels. Despite its name, Sporty Kate isn’t akin to sports cars; rather, the term “Sporty” emphasises its comfort-focused design. Sporty Kate 85 incorporates softer materials reminiscent of sports shoes with black insoles, while Kate 85 employs more traditional materials. Notably, Sporty Kate 85 is adorned with a CL logo.
In my assessment, Sporty Kate 85 appears designed for daily office wear and general day-to-day activities, while Kate 85 serves as the backup option for those who adore the So Kate 120 but seek a more manageable heel height.
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Battersea Power Station, an iconic landmark in London, has witnessed a transformation from a power station to a vibrant hub of shopping and living spaces. Recently, Porsche UK seized the opportunity to showcase its brand in a unique way by opening a pop-up store at Battersea Power Station. Running from October 18th to December 1st, 2023, this limited-time experience offered enthusiasts and curious visitors alike a chance to immerse themselves in the world of Porsche.
Given the historical significance of Battersea Power Station, the location itself added a layer of grandeur to Porsche’s temporary establishment. Navigating London’s landscape to reach Battersea Power Station can be a challenge, yet the allure of this iconic venue was enough to draw car enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike. Despite the limited accessibility, the experience was well worth the effort.
The concept of car stores within shopping centres, which initially faced skepticism in the early 2010s, has evolved over time. Porsche’s pop-up store stands as a testament to this evolution, breaking away from traditional perceptions. While proposing the idea years ago, it was met with skepticism from other car manufacturers who questioned the feasibility of showcasing cars in shopping environments. However, with the pioneering success of Tesla, the automotive landscape witnessed a paradigm shift, and now, every car company aspires to secure a space in shopping centres.
Porsche’s pop-up store was not merely a showroom; it was a curated experience that delved into the essence of Porsche and its rich heritage. The store featured a rotation of several Porsche models, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the brand’s iconic vehicles. Importantly, this initiative by Porsche offered a unique opportunity for individuals to engage with the Porsche brand without the pressure of committing to a car purchase.
In conclusion, the Porsche pop-up store at Battersea Power Station transcended the conventional boundaries of automotive retail. It was a carefully crafted experience that celebrated the brand’s legacy and allowed enthusiasts to connect with Porsche in a dynamic and accessible setting. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, such innovative approaches to brand engagement are likely to become more prevalent, redefining the way we experience and interact with iconic car brands.
The Audi TT has been discontinued as Audi decided to halt its production after 25 years. To be honest, I’m not surprised; these days, people seem to prefer any type of SUV, making sports cars like the TT too niche. The shift in demand from sports cars to SUVs has ultimately led to the end of the Audi TT era. Once a design icon in 1998, desired by millions, it now appears that no one wants one.
Personally, I was only a fan of the first-generation Audi TT without the spoiler, losing interest after that. While the Audi TT became an alternative to the Porsche Cayman or Boxster, it’s not a Porsche, so I find myself tempted by a Porsche over a TT.
Returning to the first generation of the Audi TT, with and without the spoiler, in short, there was a tendency for loss of control over 180 km/h due to aerodynamic issues. This led to accidents where cars would fly and harshly land. However, this landing was not like your landing in Ibiza; it was harsh. Audi addressed this by installing a bizarre spoiler, making ESP standard, and improving suspensions.
The second and third generations (the current one) were impressive cars, featuring the Quattro all-wheel-drive system with an understeer tendency. The second generation even had a diesel engine, reflecting the peak of the diesel fetish in the automotive industry during the early 2010s. Companies were eager to put diesel engines in anything with four wheels. They probably considered diesel-powered baby strollers. This trend led to the creation of the Audi TT diesel, but I strongly advise against purchasing a used diesel TT.
Over the years, the Audi TT evolved, leaving competitors like the Mercedes-Benz SLK (now SLC) and making the BMW Z4 seemingly invisible. Porsche enthusiasts, however, remained loyal to the brand and didn’t opt for an Audi. Sadly, we won’t be seeing any new TTs on the streets in the near future. Instead, the roads will be filled with more and more SUVs. Perhaps we’ll even witness the birth of an Audi Q TT? Sounds like the beginning of a quirky automotive love story!
I realise this news might be a bit dated, but I didn’t get the chance to cover it on my blog. Mercedes-Benz is set to halt the production of the A-Class and B-Class models in 2025. To be honest, I’m quite pleased to hear that the B-Class will be retired; it was something rather lacklustre. When the B-Class was first unveiled in 2005, it was essentially a smaller version of the R-Class (which is also now discontinued). However, the B-Class always had an unconventional and somewhat awkward appearance.
As for the A-Class, when it made its debut in 1997, it was groundbreaking. Back then, the market lacked a subcompact luxury car. The A-Class brought many technical innovations to the market, such as offering ESP as a standard feature for its class. This was particularly important as the initial A-Class had a tendency to roll over. It also featured a clutch-pedal-free manual transmission, which was sometimes referred to as semi-automatic and had its drawbacks for servicing. However, the most notable feature was its hydrogen cell compatibility. Mercedes-Benz designed the A-Class with the assumption that hydrogen technology would mature soon (around the end of the 1990s), making the A-Class ready for it (hydrogen cells was planned to be placed under the floor panel). As a result of this design, the A-Class had an impressive interior with no exhaust tunnel running through the middle of the car. When the A-Class received a facelift, a long wheelbase version was offered, providing an astounding amount of interior space for its size. I’m not kidding; it was truly remarkable! Sadly, despite its innovative design, people were put off by the A-Class’s peculiar aesthetics, especially in the third and fourth generations, which resembled a VW Golf. Nevertheless, for many years, before the SUV craze took over, people cherished the A-Class as their first foray into the Mercedes-Benz brand. Although the build quality of the A-Class left something to be desired, it didn’t seem to deter buyers.
Unfortunately, the automotive landscape changed, with people shifting their preference to SUVs. Competing models to the A-Class began disappearing from the market, such as the iconic Ford Focus. Additionally, the sales figures for the A and B Classes were dwindling.
In the automotive world, manufacturing a small car doesn’t necessarily translate to lower production costs. These smaller cars still need to adhere to all the regulations, undergo extensive R&D, testing, and more, making them expensive to produce. Moreover, you can’t command high prices for small cars unless you’re in the league of MINI. With consumer demand for small cars declining, there’s simply no logical reason to continue manufacturing them.
As the A-Class bows out, it takes the B-Class with it, given that they share the same platform. The A-Class has already been succeeded by the GLA and EQA models.
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