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Author

Richard Porter

Richard has written more than 15 books about various automotive subjects, is the brain behind satirical motoring website sniffpetrol.com and was the script editor on Top Gear TV throughout the Clarkson/Hammond/May era. But far more significantly than all of those, he is also evo’s longest-serving columnist, having shared his unique take on all things four-wheeled in every issue since 2003. He owns a 2010 Range Rover that he swears hasn’t broken down yet. Not properly, anyway.

Vauxhall VXR
Long term tests

Vauxhall VXR

The charismatic Vauxhall VXR8 has gone, and it's one hard act to follow
2 Sep 2009
Mits. Evo X FQ-360
Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-360
Long term tests

Mits. Evo X FQ-360

Heavy snow was the perfect opportunity for the four-wheel drive Mitsubishi Evo to shine. But it didn't...
5 May 2009
Evo X FQ-360
Long term tests

Evo X FQ-360

Our Mitsubishi Evo was never meant to be practical. Even so, try finding and topping-up the washer bottle!
6 Apr 2009
Evo X FQ-360
Long term tests

Evo X FQ-360

The Evo X is hilariously fast, but hard to live with and hard to love
28 Mar 2009
Jaguar XFR and XKR
Features

Jaguar XFR and XKR

Jaguar has rediscovered its mojo. The brand new XFR saloon and XKR coupe, both powered by an all-new supercharged 500bhp V8, are the most exciting Jag…
5 Mar 2009
Vauxhall VXR8
Vauxhall VXR8
Long term tests

Vauxhall VXR8

A performance exhaust system improves the V8 soundtrack and offers a shade more oomph
31 Dec 2008
Bristol Fighter
Bristol Fighter
Features

Bristol Fighter

They do things differently at Bristol – and that's what makes the cars so much cooler than most supercars. Richard Porter drives the Fighter
4 Dec 2008
Vauxhalll VXR8
Vauxhalll VXR8
Long term tests

Vauxhalll VXR8

If you can live with the VXR8's spiteful fuel consumption, it's a lot of fun to be in
17 Nov 2008
Vauxhall VXR8
Long term tests

Vauxhall VXR8

Richard Porter, keeper of the VXR8, has his driving assessed alongside another Vauxhall driver, a certain Mr Giovanardi…
8 Oct 2008
Vauxhall VXR8
Long term tests

Vauxhall VXR8

A clonking noise from the underside was a worry, and the fuel consumption continues to be hurtful
11 Sep 2008
Longbridge starts production
News

Longbridge starts production

On 1 August, almost three and a half years after the collapse of MG Rover, car production re-started at Longbridge under the control of China’s Nanjin…
8 Aug 2008
Vauxhall VXR8
Vauxhall Monaro VXR8
Long term tests

Vauxhall VXR8

The endearing V8 burble of the Monaro engine is countered by its thirsty fuel economy
6 Aug 2008
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Nissan GT-R
Nissan GT-R
Features

Nissan GT-R

America missed out on Nissan’s earlier GT-Rs, but the new one has recently gone on sale there. Richard Porter finds out how it’s going down in the lan…
30 Jul 2008
Vauxhall VXR8
Vauxhall VXR8
Long term tests

Vauxhall VXR8

The VXR8's as subtle as a punch in the face. We love it...
26 Jun 2008
End of term
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

End of term

Good for a trundle and competent when the bar's raised. A true miniature hero
9 Jun 2008
Jaguar XF 2.7D
Jaguar XF 2.7D
Reviews

Jaguar XF 2.7D

The one people will really buy…
24 Apr 2008
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki dealers are thin on the ground, something to think about when servicing's due
2 Apr 2008
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

Suzuki Swift Sport

Clarkson described it as 'nice' and other users have commented positively. So why don't you see more Swifts around?
14 Feb 2008
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

Suzuki Swift Sport

Our Swift's gradually winning over the population. Steering's still woolly, though
28 Jan 2008
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

Suzuki Swift Sport

The Swift's first service will hopefully sort the central locking issue
3 Jan 2008
Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

Suzuki Swift Sport

Our body kit has enhanced the appearance of the Swift. But where are all the others?
19 Sep 2007
Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

Suzuki Swift Sport

Our Suzuki Swift Sport gets i-graded, with a bodykit lined up for the future
7 Aug 2007
Ford Mondeo
Ford Mondeo 2.5T
Reviews

Ford Mondeo

New Mondeo continues to set the repmobile benchmark
16 Jul 2007
Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki Swift Sport
Long term tests

Suzuki Swift Sport

We have a new addition to the Fast Fleet: a Suzuki Swift Sport that is oft-described as 'cheeky'
5 Jul 2007
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007's crashed Aston
James Bond Crashed Aston Martin
News

007's crashed Aston

What happened when Aston Martin lent its brand new DBS to the world’s best known secret agent
1 Mar 2007
Ford S-Max 2.5T
Reviews

Ford S-Max 2.5T

Sleek Galaxy-based MPV with 217bhp Focus ST engine
8 May 2006
Smart Roadster Brabus
Long term tests

Smart Roadster Brabus

The Fast Fleet has rarely entertained a car as divisive as the Smart Roadster Brabus. Like Marmite, some people loved it, others found it made them go…
11 Jul 2005
Smart Roadster Brabus
Long term tests

Smart Roadster Brabus

By the end of this year the Smart Roadster will be dead, a victim of DaimlerChrysler's hard-nosed plan to make its baby-car brand earn some profit for…
9 May 2005
BMW 645 Ci
Long term tests

BMW 645 Ci

I was having some time off from my day job as Script Ed on Top Gear telly when news broke that we were re-recording a batch of studio links for an Ame…
11 Apr 2005
Smart Roadster Brabus
Long term tests

Smart Roadster Brabus

Brabus Roadster owning evo reader Anthony Yule wrote in last month to defend the car's gearbox in the face of a sound dissing from the evo crew during…
7 Mar 2005
Smart Roadster Brabus
Long term tests

Smart Roadster Brabus

Keen to immerse myself in the full ownership experience, I decided to go on the annual Smart London-to-Brighton rally. You know, slide the roof back, …
5 Nov 2004