I’m an extremely professional car reviewer. My colleagues always say as much when they’re waiting for my overdue copy to be filed, or for me to arrive late to a photoshoot. Yup. There’s nothing I won’t drive and no job I won’t undertake.
But oh dear, today I almost wish there was. On my driveway is a car that makes the vehicle next to it – an Audi Q7 V12 – look discreet. It is a Mammoth Ram 1500 TRX, a pick-up modified by American tuner Hennessey. And right now, I’d rather it was a Hyundai i10.
I’ve never felt so conspicuous. Partly it’s the size – well over two metres wide and five metres long. Then it’s the hardware. In front, the TRX has a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine with – wait for it – 1012bhp. Hennessey claims it is the fastest and most powerful pick-up ever produced. It has 969lb-ft of torque and can go from 0-60mph in, it’s claimed, 3.2sec. It weighs 3538kg and I can’t think of a car that is as out of step with current automotive trends. Still, at least it’s a subtle colour, eh?
I’ve suggested we photograph it in Bristol, home to plenty of heavy dated ironwork itself: there are girder bridges and railways, and its bustling harbour area was a proud ship-building hub. It’s also a historic urban environment in which the TRX will look, well, simply as big as its size dictates it will look. I prepare my “it’s not mine” shtick for dubious onlookers and brace to get through the day.
Context is everything. John Hennessey has been “making fast cars faster since 1991” and has modified more than 10,000 cars or trucks in that time from Hennessey Performance’s base in Texas, where it has its own quarter-mile dragstrip and where, you’d imagine, Rams look less conspicuous.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal