ECOTY: THE TEST

TWO WEEKS TO GO TILL THE START OF ECOTY 2022 and emails are flying hither and, indeed, thither. Most are from Mr Editor Gallagher and they concern the latest runners and riders.

- PETER TOMALIN

A couple of cars that were on the original list have dropped out. Lamborghini is unable to supply a Huracán Tecnica, which is a shame, but then a Huracán figured prominently in last year's contest, the STO finishing second behind the truly remarkable M5 CS.

The other absentee, and the one car we're truly sorry not to have for this eCoty, is the Lotus Emira, but then we're not alone in our frustration here. Delays in getting cars to customers have been well-documented. Still, there's always next year (which may well be the latest communication from Lotus's customer service department too).

Fortunately, we have two excellent substitutes in the shape of the Audi R8 V10 Performance RWD and Mercedes-AMG SL55. The R8 has long been an evo favourite and the latest V10 RWD is right up our B-road. The SL is more of a wild card, in that none of us have driven it until now, but given AMG's track record and the fact the new SL is entirely AMG's own creation, we reckon it's well worth a punt.

A number of eCoty team regulars are also missing in action. Henry Catchpole has a long-standing filming commitment, while Adam Towler has been laid low and John Barker is recuperating after finding himself pedalling his mountain bike in mid-air after taking a wrong turn and launching off a 10ft vertical drop. The forest floor eventually broke his fall (along with an impressive number of bones). Happily both Adam and JB are recovering well; no word on Henry, but he's such a luvvie these days that he's sure to be fine.