Tag: Chris Harris

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Audi Nissan Porsche Video

Chris Harris and the element of surprise

Chris Harris is a lucky bastard

Here’s your latest Chris Harris fix. Today he’s at the wheel of the highly desirable Audi R8 V10 Plus, the equally wantable 997 Porsche 911 Turbo S and giant killing Nissan GT-R that’s been warmed over by Litchfield.

He tracks the cars around Anglesey, down the Bruntingthorpe drag strip and on the road. Whatever order you think these cars will be ranked at the end of this comparison, think again. Most of all have fun watching the verdict being reached.

Although, the results of the flat out drag race will probably be exactly what you expect to see. And, wow!

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Ford Opel Renault Vauxhall Video

“Hatchbacks are just cool aren’t they!”

Ford Focus ST v Renault Megane RS265 v Opel Astra OPC

Chris Harris has just had a play with three of the hottest hot hatchbacks money can buy: the hideous yet apparently very capable Ford Focus ST, the media’s favourite Renault Megane RS265 and the Vauxhall Astra VXR (coming to Australia as the Opel Astra OPC).

True to form the outcome follows the expected script, but there are some good insights and surprises along the way (note the lap times).

It’s Harris at his best, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

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McLaren Video

Chris Harris on the McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

Chris Harris is fast forging himself a solid niche with his extended video reviews for Drive. At 10–15 minutes in length they are long enough to allow the reviewer to provide in-depth feedback, without being so long as to bore the audience.

In his latest edition Harris takes up the cause for McLaren and its much hyped, but often maligned, MP4-12C. Via his Pistonheads blog Harris introduces his thoughts by asking:

Has the media treated the MP4-12C too harshly? Maybe. The odd technical gremlin isn’t such a problem. Even the biggest names have bad days, but perhaps what has undone the McLaren more than even the punchy rhetoric is the sheer expectation of a new supercar made by McLaren. Did the prospect of the values that built the Technology Centre being transposed onto a street car propagate unrealistic expectations?

I think they did. Flip those group test results on their head and you’re left with a brand new car, from a company with zero experience in this sector, that ran the best car Ferrari has ever made very close. That is a mighty impressive result.

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McLaren Video

VIDEO: Fancy a ride in a McLaren F1 GTR?

Chris Harris gets a passenger ride in a McLaren F1 GTR

In Chris Harris’ latest video he is reporting from the passenger seat of a very desirable and very rare McLaren F1 GTR. We’re not entirely sure why he didn’t mention the owner’s name, especially as we get a clear look at the owner’s face and is easy enough to track down online.

Anyway, that matters not, we do think a ride in a 600hp/1100kg machine would be a lot of fun, even if we might need to reach for the chunder bag along the way. Yeah, you’re probably right, driving it would be much better!

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Mercedes-Benz Video

Born slippy

Chris Harris, Born Slippy

Chris Harris is perhaps the closest thing magazine journos have to a bona fide celebrity; that is he hasn’t gained his popularity on the back of a TV program or the like. Mostly he’s earned his reputation, and following, on the back of his writing, some part-time racing and a lot of sideways action.

In his first effort for Drive, the latest chicane in his career (no, it’s not the Fairfax publication Australians are familiar with), Harris gets slippy with a 480hp Mercedes-Benz C63. Oh, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, the Benz is running space savers at all four wheels.

At first this seems like an entirely daft and pointless thing to do. But, Harris is trying to make a point. Check out the clip after the break and see if you agree.

There’s also a bonus clip if you missed the announcement of Drive last month.

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Nissan

VIDEO: 107 seconds with the Nissan GT-R

Chris Harris drives the 2012 GT-R

Chris Harris was at the launch of the 2012 Nissan GT-R held at Silverstone recently. A known lover of Porsches and part-time factory racer, what will he make of the latest iteration of Godzilla? Click through to the break and find out.

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BMW

Chris Harris drives 1M searching for the best of M people

Chris Harris drives the BMW 1M Coupé

Chris Harris has just driven a near production-ready BMW 1M Coupé. It was an odd gig, really; BMW flew him from London to Munich for a 20 minute test drive. Knowing his time would be brief, Harris compiled a list of the best things he likes about M-badged BMWs. When driving the prototype he cross-checked the feedback from the car against his “M car” list. He used words “like an M car” a number of times and concluded that he is “really, really excited” by the 1M Coupé and can’t wait to drive a full production version in the near future.

All of these thoughts were recorded to video and you can watch the clip after the break. Some of the audio is not great, but the content is definitely worth the effort. It sounds like the 1M Coupé has the potential to be future classic.

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Porsche

Chris Harris on the 911 GT2 RS

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Chris Harris from Evo has just filed a report on the stonking Porsche 911 GT2 RS. He’s rated it five stars. Sure, he might be a bit of a Porsche fanboi at heart, but here’s how he explains his thoughts, “This is a remarkable car. Veyron aside, it’s the fastest road car I’ve driven – but it’s completely useable and it still involves you in the process. Want.”

Make sure you follow the link below for the full review. There’s at least one GT2 RS coming to Australia, too. It will be in the calm guiding hands of Jim Richards. He’s selling not one, but three race-prepped 911s to help pay for it—I bags the 997 GT3 RS!

[Source: EVO]

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Porsche

VIDEO: Evo tests 911 GT3 RS and GT3 Cup

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Chris Harris from Evo is fast becoming my new anti-hero. He’s doing many of the things we’d all love to be doing, and yet, I hate him at the same time! After the jump you can watch as he spends a few minutes showing off in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, before really rubbing our noses in it as he takes control of a GT3 Cup car.

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