The Intercooler for Subscribers

The UK's thriving track day scene and who's the fastest car journalist? 

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel attempt to unpack the mystery that is Alfa Romeo. It remains one of the most prestigious mainstream car makers on the planet despite long spells of mismanagement and often very poor model line ups. This company was one of motor racing's top dogs for years, but today motorsport forms no significant part of the marque's activities. Dan and Andrew discuss the company's best and worst cars and outline their plan to revive it.

Dan Prosser meets Twisted Automotive founder Charles Fawcett to learn about the booming business of tuning, modifying and upgrading old Land Rover Defenders. Why do people choose to spend brand new Ferrari money enhancing a car that was well out of date even before it went out of production almost a decade ago? And what are these machines actually like to drive?

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel discuss the impact Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on cars imported into the US could have on Britain's luxury car manufacturers. They also consider the recent relaxation of the controversial ZEV mandate, which confirms that the likes of McLaren and Aston Martin will be able to continue producing internal combustion-powered cars for at least a decade. Plus the Japanese Grand Prix and a new Corvette concept that's been designed in the UK.

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel discuss the cars that were ahead of their time. In many cases they were the innovators and the pioneers, the cars that changed the industry for good. In others, these cars arrived too far ahead of their time and were commercial and technological flops because of it. BMW's i3 and i8, the Porsche 959, Jensen FF, Mercedes-Benz 300SL and Honda Insight all feature.

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel discuss the world-famous Hollywood stars who raced cars for fun, such as Paul Newman and Gene Hackman, who died recently. They also talk about the F1 stars you had no idea competed in the BTCC and at Le Mans, like Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell, plus the rally drivers who traded special stages and pacenotes for the race track.

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel reflect on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and consider what it tells us about the 2025 F1 season to come. They also discuss two new sporting EVs, one from an established marque and another from a brand new one, that demonstrate how electric cars can be made to appeal to traditional car enthusiasts.

Dan Prosser and Andrew Frankel trawl the classifieds for 1980s enthusiast cars costing less than £25,000. From a sporting BMW to a Mercedes saloon, a rare groove Maserati coupé and even a lesser-spotted Lotus, this is how far a modest budget can be made to go... if you're brave enough.

This episode was originally published in December 2022. 

This episode was originally published in autumn 2022.