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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.

evo Opinion - Richard Porter
Richard Porter opinion
Opinion

evo Opinion - Richard Porter

The worst engine layout ever to grace an engine bay? Porter has a convincing argument for a perhaps unexpected choice
15 Aug 2017
The Portuguese are good at overtaking
Richard Porter opinion
Opinion

The Portuguese are good at overtaking

Porter ponders on the miserable - not to mention dangerous - inclinations of many people we share our roads with
1 Aug 2017
evo opinion - Richard Porter
Richard Porter opinion
Opinion

evo opinion - Richard Porter

Manufacturers used to exhibit extraordinary creativity in disguising their prototypes. Porter laments the loss of these pantomime cars
18 Jul 2017
evo opinion - Richard Porter
Richard Porter opinion
Opinion

evo opinion - Richard Porter

Rusting bodywork is largely a thing of the past, but it’s unlikely car makers will address other failing components, reckons Porter
4 Jul 2017
"Cars are often nicer if you don't try to be such a hero"
Richard Porter opinion
Opinion

"Cars are often nicer if you don't try to be such a hero"

Didn't go for air-con? You'll only notice when you're sweating rivers, says Porter, who doesn't buy into all this options-list machismo
20 Jun 2017
"The A1 is consistently confusing"
Richard Porter opinion
Opinion

"The A1 is consistently confusing"

It may not be the quickest route, but its ability to surprise, entertain and even disgust makes the A1 the natural choice, says Porter
6 Jun 2017
Mercedes-Benz E500 Coupe
Mercedes-Benz E500 Coupe
Long term tests

Mercedes-Benz E500 Coupe

M3 too hardcore? Merc's E500 Coupe might just fit the bill
8 Dec 2009
Ron Dennis
Ron Dennis from McLaren Automotive
Features

Ron Dennis

We met Ron Dennis to ask about his new role, the new car and the company’s ambitious plans
27 Oct 2009
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
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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
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
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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
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