In Design, Millimetres Matter

I chatted with Ford & Lincoln’s head designer Moray Callum, the gentleman who basically gives Ford its face.

We laughed lots, I say it’s great he’s bringing hard buttons back, turns out being an auto designer is a rather morbid job, and I asked what one thing makes him the most nuts.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

5th paragraph – Moray’s metaphor on why millimetres matter – imagine altering a face in Photoshop, 8mm here and 6mm there and woah, a totally different face is looking back at you.

Second favourite: 

Moray: You still have to design for the idiot that doesn’t wear a seat belt.

Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

My Best Review Yet – 2015 Mazda MX-5

2015 Mazda MX-5

Starting at $29,450
This one $40,925

It surprised me it came out so good, because it was tough for 2 reasons.

1

You can’t actually buy this thing, so I had to review a car you can’t buy (my tester was #738 / 1,099 worldwide)

2

The MX-5 is a universally loved car by auto journalists, and there are one trillion glowing MX-5 reviews, how’s mine to be different?

I took the approach, “That’s why most reviews about the MX-5 read the same, and sound like this” which they all do, because the car is that good.

However, “The real question is: which model year do you choose? This one, or wait for the all-new model coming next year?”

(short answer – buy this year, the simpler, purer version, because the all-new model will be covered in tech and aids.)

Read it online at Autonet.

Even the photoshoot came together beautifully, come ON this haybale face.

I added it to my collection, “Special Car Photos“.

So for sure I was pleased when this printed across the newspaper chain. Of all the ones ahhh.

My favourite line even ended up in the blue circle, couldn’t have worked out better.

Now this is the review I link to when I have to showcase my work.

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Update: this review ended up being quoted on the Mazda site ha, here

 

 

Solving Crimes using Car Clues

For sure search the car for physical clues like blood, hair and DNA, but also pay attention to the little things you can’t hold?

Things like radio presets, seat position, was the seat pressure sensor on or off, plus the EDR information of course, which is admissible in courts.

I’m speaking with Chris Pogue, current Senior VP at cyber-threat analysis software company Nuix, and former U.S. Army Warrant Officer attached to the Criminal Investigation Division.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

It’s assumed the first instinct is to search the car for blood and hair, for physical DNA, but how about paying attention to the little things that could be clues.

2nd Favourite line: 

Then add in the footage from traffic cameras (everyone forgets those are always watching.)

That’s me in the lede photo, cornering a Subaru Legacy.

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Sharing some Driving Tricks, Part 2

From how keyless entry fobs contain a key, to hiding the pink slip and never programming the navigation with your actual address under “home” (a thief then knows where it is, and where you’re not.)

Thanks this week to contributors Paul and Brian!

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Use the passenger seat heater to keep your takeout warm. Prop the pizza box up on a can, now the box will sit flat on a seat that is not.

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Sharing some Driving Tricks, Part 1 – here

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Best Time of Year to Buy a New Car

The fall is the best time of year to buy a new car, that’s why we’re inundated in car ads- radio, newspaper, cut to star wipe.

Because the fall is when the new model-year vehicles arrive, rendering the existing cars on the lot “old stock.”

How to use this season to your advantage when car shopping.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

The fall is the only time of year cars are so deeply discounted, so provided your’e ok with the hidden price of having to compromise on colour and features, it’s the best time of year to buy a car. 

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