World's rarest city car? The Aston Martin Cygnet story

The Aston Martin Cygnet is one of the most divisive cars of recent times - we chart the tale of the most unlikely Aston ever

2016-08-13 08:00

In its rich 103-year history, Aston Martin has never built a car quite as divisive as the Cygnet. With a tiny 97bhp 1.33-litre engine, the small city car certainly lacked the headline figures normally associated with the manufacturer when it made its debut as an opinion-splitting concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

This stubby city runabout looked comically out of place on the Aston stand next to cars like the DBS and the V12 Vantage. But while it was controversial, it also offered something different, and it wasn’t much of a surprise when bosses confirmed the Cygnet for production in 2011. So why did Aston want to build a car with sales targets of just 4,000 a year?

Firstly, there were EU laws. Fleet emissions targets were introduced in 2012, and without a parent company to offer more eco-friendly cars to balance out the averages, it was up to Aston to reduce its CO2 figures across the model range. Basing a car on Toyota’s frugal iQ made sense.

Secondly, Aston wanted to attract a new group of customers to the brand, as well as offering existing owners something that was more suited to life in the city rather than speeding along the open road.

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Unfortunately, the reality wasn’t quite that straightforward, and after two years in production, the Cygnet was quietly dropped from the model line-up. It never came close to the target of 4,000 orders. 

To some, the Cygnet is a piece of Aston history that doesn’t quite fit, but there are plenty who disagree. Many see the Cygnet as a future classic in the making, thanks to its uniqueness and rarity. Auto Express set out to find a Cygnet, uncover what makes it special and determine whether or not it really is a vital part of Aston Martin ownership. 

• New Aston Martin DB11 review

The search isn’t easy, as according to the DVLA vehicle database, just 141 Cygnets are registered in the UK; that makes it a rarer sight on the road than both the DB5 and DB6. When it came on sale in 2011, prices started at £30,995 – over twice as much as a similarly specced Toyota iQ. 

Workers at the brand’s Gaydon HQ in Warks spent 150 hours building each Cygnet – the DB9 only took 200 hours – and it’s the smallest, lightest Aston ever made. The interior is filled with hand-stitched leather, the roof lining is made from Alcantara and the entire car has Aston paintwork.

Our hunt for this rare, expensive and small Cygnet leads us to one owner who’s a big fan. Tim Cottingham, from Waltham near Grimsby, Lincs, is a registrar at the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and has owned a whole range of models from the famous British marque down the years.

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Normally a fan of older cars, he was impressed by the little Cygnet. “It’s an Aston Martin on a whole other level of practicality and approachability,” Tim told us. “I took a shine to it, and after some time, when the price came down enough, I bought a used one.”

And Tim is convinced the Cygnet deserves its place in Aston Martin’s rich history. “I love the Cygnet. It feels and looks like an Aston Martin; it even smells like an Aston Martin,” he explained.

• Full details of Aston Martin Red Bull AM-RB 001 hypercar

“To me, it doesn’t look awkward at all. Aston really designed a car that captures all of the key attributes behind the brand.”

Tim also uses the Cygnet on a regular basis, something he wouldn’t have dared to do with his other Aston Martins. He said: “I was previously using the Cygnet as a daily driver three times a week, and now I use it whenever I have to go out and about. 

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Image 9 of 13

“It’s easy to drive, I return about 50mpg, plus it’s reliable and easy to maintain. Other road users and pedestrians also love it; they come and talk to you about it and want to find out more. It’s definitely staying in my permanent collection.” Tim said he expected the Cygnet to represent a new direction for Aston and thought he’d see a Mk2 version in the future. However, that didn’t happen, mainly due to its divisiveness with the public and Aston enthusiasts. 

You might think that the Cygnet offers a used buy bargain, then – your chance to own an Aston at a cut price. But our hunt through the classifieds unearthed only a handful of Cygnets on the market, all priced around the original £30,000, suggesting they’re holding on to their value remarkably well. With good residuals and a rarity factor, is the Cygnet on the way to becoming a collectible that investors will compete over in years to come?

Tim certainly thinks so, and some experts agree. Rupert Pontin, director of valuations at Glass’s, told Auto Express: “They are few and far between in the used car market and are indeed beginning to acquire status as a collectible item. 

“With prices between £31,000 and £40,000 when new, there are Cygnets for sale today that still command similar sums, even though they are nearly five years old – although from our perspective, the trade value allows for a large margin as there is a limited buyer base. Going forward, this would probably be a decent investment, as only a limited number have been registered in the UK.”

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Others, like classic and supercar specialist Tom Hartley, aren’t as confident: “I haven’t seen much demand for it,” he said. “In my opinion, the car was too out of character for Aston Martin – a bit like the Bentayga is for Bentley. It’s a low-volume car, but what people forget is that the volumes were so low because Aston couldn’t shift the cars.”

Aston Martin may not have created the success story it envisioned with the Cygnet, but it showed the company isn’t afraid of change – something of a necessity in today’s climate. It may just have created a car that collectors will hunt down when building their ultimate Aston garage.

What's it like to drive?

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Image 12 of 13

Auto Express got behind the wheel of the Cygnet. Although it uses the same 97bhp 1.33-litre engine as the Toyota iQ, we found it very agile, thanks to a lower ride height.

• Aston Martin Cygnet in-depth review

The 0-62mph time of 11.6 seconds is unlikely to set the world on fire, but the Cygnet was never intended as a track-day toy. In the city, where the car is most at home, it drives pleasantly. It’s fun and quirky, with a high-quality interior you’d struggle to find in any other car of a similar size. It’s the slowest, cleanest and oddest Aston ever made, and if that suits, you’re in for a treat.  

Would you like to own an Aston Martin Cygnet or it is badge engineerring gone too far? Let us know in the comments...

Martin Saarinen
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Novo Uno 2017 será mais potente, sofisticado e seguro

A Fiat Chrysler do Brasil está nos preparativos finais para o lançamento do novo Uno 2017 - veículo que estará nas concessionárias no mês de outubro, com aperfeiçoamentos estéticos, no interior, mecânicos, de tecnologia e de segurança.

No quesito mecânico, o modelo estréia o novo motor GSE (Global Small Engine) da Fiat, em duas configurações: três cilindros 1.0, 6 válvulas, 80 cavalos e 10 kgfm de torque; quatro cilindros 1.3, 8 válvulas, e nada menos que 109 cavalos, segundo o jornalista Roberto Nasser (veja aqui).
Continuar lendo »

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Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities

Click here to view the interactive graphics and here to see the data tables.

If you’ve driven for any length of time, you know how easy it is to be involved in a car accident. One glance at your cell phone, the radio, or your cup of coffee, and before you know it, you’re dangerously close to striking another car.

As licensed drivers, most of us have either been involved in a motor vehicle accident or have come far too close. While car accidents are never ideal, accidents that cause fatalities are a nightmare.

Based on our studies, fatal car accidents — and total traffic-related fatalities — have been on the decline from 2007 to 2014. The total number of traffic-related fatalities has been around 30,000 since 2009.

Statistically speaking, this means there is a 0.5 percent chance that any one person will be involved in a fatal car crash this year.

While the total number of car accidents in the United States is on the rise, the majority of these accidents are non-fatal crashes or crashes that only involve property damage. This means that, as a whole, less people are dying each year as a result of car accidents.

There are many factors that may account for this positive shift, not least among them being the changes in automobile manufacturing.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that “From 1993 through 2006, vehicle changes were the main source of the decline in driver death risk. Had vehicles not improved during that time, the longstanding downward trend of driver fatality rates would have ended in 1993.”

National Statistics

Click here to view the interactive graphics

In the U.S., there were 29,989 fatal car accidents in 2014. This averages out to 9.4 fatal car crashes for every 100,000 residents or 14 fatal accidents for every 100,000 licensed drivers.

These statistics suggest that, for every 100 million miles driven, there is one fatal car crash, meaning there is a fatal car accident every 16 minutes.

In 2014, Texas had the most traffic-related fatalities with 3,193 and DC had the least with 21.

The Western Plains and the South are the worst offenders when it comes to traffic-related fatalities; the South being the worst for killing pedestrians and both areas being equally bad for cyclists and motorcyclists alike.

While fatal car accidents have been on the decline in recent years, preliminary reports indicate a possible increase in traffic deaths for 2015.

Methodology

In this study, we examine the ten best and worst states for traffic-related fatalities. We used the following sources to compile information concerning car accident fatalities:

• www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov
• www.fhwa.dot.gov
• http://ift.tt/2bcpbNy
• www.census.gov

Based on these sources, we arranged information into six different categories:

• Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven
• Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers
• Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers
• Total Passenger Fatalities by Population
• Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population
• Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population

Within each category, each state — and the District of Columbia — was given a total score. The best states received higher scores and the worst states received lower scores.

For example, New Mexico earned only one point in the Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population category, meaning New Mexico was the worst of all the states for this type of fatality. In contrast, Minnesota earned 51 points, proving this state was the best when it came to this type of accident.

For a complete breakdown, along with the specific sources used for each scoring criteria, view the rankings table below.

Ten Best States for Traffic-Related Fatalities

#42 Connecticut

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 45th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 24th

Connecticut drivers can be proud to claim their spot at #42. With only two categories ranked outside the top 40, motorists in Connecticut seem to be well aware of their responsibilities when they’re behind the wheel.

#43 New Hampshire

Best Ranking Factor: Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 47th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 16th

Coming in at #43, New Hampshire was 37th or higher in every category except Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population. In order to better their ranking for next year, New Hampshire residents need to improve at sharing the road with cyclists.

#44 Wisconsin

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 49th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 27th

Wisconsin was close to the top of the list for Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population. Above average in each category, drivers in Wisconsin clearly take their responsibilities seriously.

#45  New Jersey

Best Ranking Factor: Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 49th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 10th

New Jersey secured the #45 spot for Traffic-Related Fatalities with its 49th ranking for Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers. Drivers in New Jersey need to be far more careful when it comes to watching for pedestrians to stay on our list of Ten Best States next year.

#46 Washington

Best Ranking Factor: Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 46th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 34th

Washington kept all scores except for Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population in the 40s. Drivers in Washington are clearly level-headed and cautious in each category, and it makes for a safer state to drive in.

#47 Minnesota

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 51st

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 33rd

Minnesota takes the top spot when it comes to watching out for pedestrians. Out of a population of nearly 5.5 million, only 15 pedestrians were killed as a result of a car accident in 2014.

#49 District of Columbia

Best Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers, Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers, & Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 51st

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 23rd

The District of Columbia did extremely well in this study, besting every U.S. state in three separate categories. The only reason the District of Columbia isn’t at the top of our Ten Best States list is their below-average score for Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population.

#49 Rhode Island

Best Ranking Factor: Total Passenger Fatalities by Population & Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 50th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 20th

Securing #50 in two separate categories, Rhode island did exceptionally well in almost every category. If drivers in the Ocean State want to improve on their score for next year, they need to respect and drive cautiously near pedestrians.

#50 Massachusetts

Best Ranking Factor: Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven: 51st

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 35th

Massachusetts did a phenomenal job when it came to traffic-related fatalities, earning the #2 spot on our Ten Best States list. Out of over 575 billion miles driven, 328 people were killed as a result of a car accident. This averages out to a fatality rate of .57 for every 100 million miles driven.

#51 Vermont

Best Ranking Factor: Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven & Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 50th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Driver & Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 43rd

Coming in at #1, Vermont has a lot to brag about. Tying for 50th in both Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven and Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population, the state boasts conscientious drivers and safe roads. Even at its lowest score, Vermont still did extremely well with a score of 43.

It’s encouraging to see a state that takes the responsibility to drive seriously. Hopefully, the states on our Ten Worst States list will take note to learn how they can improve.

Ten Worst States for Traffic-Related Fatalities

#10 South Dakota (Tied)

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 36th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 7th

Ranking one position better than their neighbor to the north, South Dakota is tied with Florida at #10. No surprising with a population of 853,175 and many snowy months, South Dakota’s best rank is for Pedestrian Fatalities. Alternatively, for a Licensed Driver population of nearly 610,000 this state has a high rate of Drivers who are killed in fatal crashes.

#10 Florida (Tied)

Best Ranking Factor: Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 35th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population & Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 2nd

Florida tied with South Dakota for #10 on our Ten Worst States list. The state’s score of 2 for both Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population and Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population prove that drivers in Florida have a serious problem sharing the road.

#9 North Dakota

Best Ranking Factor: Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 31st

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 3rd

North Dakota scored very low when it came to passenger fatalities, with 31 passengers dying as a result of a car accident. With mostly below-average scores when it comes to traffic-related fatalities, drivers in North Dakota have a lot to improve on for next year.

#8 Arkansas

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 31st

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers & Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 8th

Arkansas secures the #8 spot with a score of 8 for both Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers and Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers, as 61 people were killed on motorcycles alone.

 #7 Texas

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 23rd

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven & Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 9th

Texas drivers’ below-average score for even their best ranking factor has earned the state the #7 spot on our Ten Worst States list. Hopefully, motorists will improve upon their total score to stay off the list next year.

#6 Montana

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 40th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven: 3rd

Drivers in Montana should celebrate their score for pedestrian fatalities, but the Treasure State scored extremely low for Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven. For every 100 million miles driven, there were 1.58 traffic-related deaths.

#5 Mississippi

Best Ranking Factor: Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 28th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers & Total Passenger Fatalities by Population: 2nd

Coming in at #5, Mississippi scored extremely low in Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven (4th), Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers, and Total Passenger Fatalities by Population. In Mississippi, over one thousand people were killed as a result of car accidents in these three categories alone.

#4 Louisiana

Best Ranking Factor: Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 17th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven & Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 5th

Scoring below average in every category, Louisiana drivers earned the #4 spot on our Ten Worst States list. Overall, 1,462 people died as result of traffic-related accidents in Louisiana in 2014.

#3 Wyoming

Best Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 42nd

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers, Total Motorcyclist Fatalities by Licensed Drivers, Total Passenger Fatalities by Population, & Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 1st

Scoring first in four separate categories, drivers in Wyoming earned the #3 spot. The state’s respect for pedestrians is the only reason Wyoming didn’t earn #1.

#2 South Carolina

Best Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers: 16th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven: 1st

Coming in at #2, South Carolina was in the top 10 for everything except Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers. Motorists in the Palmetto State need an overhaul of their driving strategies to improve on their results.

#1 New Mexico

Best Ranking Factor: Total Driver Fatalities by Licensed Drivers & Total Pedacyclist Fatalities by Population: 13th

Worst Ranking Factor: Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Population: 1st

New Mexico takes the top spot on our Ten Worst States list. In 2014, there were 2,223 known traffic-related fatalities in the state. New Mexico drivers have a lot to learn when it comes to safe driving.

The Best Predictor of Traffic-Related Fatalities Rank: Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven

Click here to view the interactive graphics

It seems the best predictor for both the best and worst states for traffic-related fatalities was Total Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven. In the best states, not one scored lower than 40 in the Fatalities by 100 Million Miles Driven category, and in the worst states, seven states were listed in the top 10.

What causes traffic-related deaths?

While it may seem that these tragic accidents are uncontrollable, there is quite a bit we can do to prevent accidents — especially fatal accidents — in the future. Based on a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 31 percent of driving fatalities occurred when one or more people were alcohol-impaired.

Additionally, 28 percent of all driving fatalities were a result of speeding-related crashes and 10 percent occurred due to distracted driving.

From these statistics, it is obvious that our choices behind the wheel directly impact the number of accidents on the road. If we choose to pay attention while driving, avoid distraction, and obey the law, the number of traffic-related fatalities will drastically decrease.

What’s left to study?

Our study focuses on licensed drivers in the U.S. By the exclusive nature of this study, we do not have specific data for licensed motorcycle drivers or unlicensed drivers. Both of these avenues of study are worth exploring, and we hope to focus on this in the future.

Additionally, there is very little data when it comes to the specifics of all automobile crashes for each state. Because overall crash data is usually estimated, we have not included it in our study but we are interested in future studies focusing on crashes by state.

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Skipping Work for Skip Barber: We Get Schooled at the New Corvette Museum Racetrack

When an offer to attend a three-day Skip Barber Racing School is thrown your way—during the work week, no less—you take it. Skippy schools, as they’re colloquially known, are offered at some of the best tracks across the country, including Lime Rock Park, Road Atlanta, Road America, and our favorite, Virginia International Raceway. One-, two-, and three-day sessions are available in your choice of racing machine: a fully prepped Mazda MX-5 or a Skip Barber Formula car. With a craving to experience unassisted steering and brakes as well as a sequential gearbox, we chose the latter. As for venue, we opted to attend a track we’d not yet visited: the relatively new NCM Motorsports Park (pictured above), located near the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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Back to School

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Day one began with the usual chalk talk—a discussion of the basic ground rules for the day and general track-driving tips, often accompanied by chalkboard or whiteboard illustrations and delivered as if fired from a machine gun. To someone completely unfamiliar with track work, it could come across as overwhelming, but the experienced and helpful instructors gladly took the time to answer questions. We received a briefing on the basics such as “sight picture” (looking through the apex), vehicle weight transfer and its effect on contact patches, and over- and understeer. Then it was time to head to NCM’s 22-acre skidpad. Dark skies loomed, however, and major rain came down on us just as we fired the engines. This was no mere sprinkle; the residents of Cherrapunji would respect this downpour. But onward we drove, and we very quickly learned the over- and understeer properties of the Skip Barber Formula car, with many students spinning all over a skidpad covered with nearly an inch of water. Hanging on to the car here was a big confidence builder, however.

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While enjoying a catered box lunch, we received more classroom instruction, this time on shifting technique. Skip Barber Formula cars use a five-speed sequential gearbox; this means the clutch is only used for launching the car and downshifts. To upshift, move the shifter when the desired engine speed is reached (instructors will limit your maximum rpm and gradually increase it throughout the course), barely lift off the throttle, and the transmission will slide into gear. Downshifting the unsynchronized gearbox requires using the traditional heel-and-toe technique, something that can be challenging in a slippery, waterlogged pedal box. After another wet and wild skidpad session to work on shift technique, the first day ended with a lead-follow session on the track to learn the racing line. Given the weather, we followed the wet line. However, since NCM is so new, there’s barely a racing line worn into the track, so we really drove where a wet line would be.

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Day two brought more learning—and sunshine. After a quick recap of the race flags and the penalties that may occur, it was time to get back on the track. For the next three hours, we drove a car shared with another student, swapping back and forth. After each lap, students stop at a station to receive instruction on where they can improve—each hoping to be told that they’re a natural and destined for open-wheel greatness. It’s a time where you can grow as a driver by leaps and bounds as you feel out the limits of the car and its BFGoodrich g-Force tires. Engine-speed limits are raised, track speeds increase, braking zones shorten, and apexes become tighter.

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Lunch brought on talk of braking technique. Did you know that tires deliver 100 percent of their braking traction when they are rotating 15 percent more slowly than the actual rolling speed of the car? This is achieved during what’s known as threshold braking. So we slipped the Skip Barber–provided race suits back on and headed out to perfect this technique. With the braking zone set, students bomb into Turn One as fast as they feel comfortable and then attempt to stop before a set cone. ABS is not an option in the Formula cars, so not turning the tires square requires a proper first squeeze onto the pedal and excellent modulation after that. But, hey, this is a place to learn, and they’re not your tires, so go ahead and find that threshold limit. The day ended with more lapping, this time with higher rpm limits.

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Day three is when the dogs are let off the leash, and also, in this case, when Mother Nature opened the floodgates again. After one more meeting at the board to discuss passing and proper race-start etiquette, we headed out again. Some of us had been smart enough to stop and pick up a poncho the night before, which meant the downpour was now (mostly) only affecting grip. Yet for a few of our fellow students, this proved an insurmountable challenge as cars began to rotate out of control, meeting Armco and tire walls while augering themselves into the mud. At Skip Barber, as at most driving schools, you’re on the hook for any damage done to the car, although liability insurance is available for a fee to help mitigate the bleeding.

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NCM Motorsports Park hosts a variety of open-track days, HPDE events, and more—and, no, you don’t need to have a Corvette, as evidenced by this BMW and its honkin’ big wing. Check out the calendar here.

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With passing and race-start exercises complete, it was time for the rpm limiter and stop box to be removed and for hot laps to commence. Yes, in the pouring rain. While these aren’t timed laps, you continually challenge yourself to shorten braking zones, raise your corner exit speed, and keep the throttle pegged in certain sections of the track. The Skip Barber handbook says that test days in the wet are invaluable, and it’s correct. If you can be fast in the rain, chances are you’ll be pretty well off in the dry. Of course three days of sunny, warm-weather track fun sounds ideal, but if you get a rainy day, count yourself as lucky. It will only make you a better driver.

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With the last day complete and the cars back in the garages, it’s time to graduate—and a Skip Barber diploma means you’ve made substantial progress toward an SCCA racing license. Three days go by quickly, so make the most of the time and focus on hitting your marks without pushing so hard that you exceed the limits of yourself and the car. And if you’re inclined to further your skill level, Skip Barber offers more training beyond the three-day class, including two-day advanced racing and advanced car-control schools. These programs are a must for someone who has any interest in getting into racing or just wants to become a better driver.

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• WIN a Three-Day Skip Barber Racing School Experience at Road Atlanta!
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• Buy a Car and Learn to Drive It for Free! Six Automaker Performance Schools Detailed
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• Track Clinic: Everything You Need to Know to Master Lime Rock Park
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The Track

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NCM Motorsports Park is located just across I-65 from the National Corvette Museum. The track designers had Circuit de la Sarthe—the location of the 24 Hours of Le Mans—in mind when the facility began construction in the summer of 2013 and opened for business Labor Day weekend of 2014. NCM features four miles of asphalt and six configurations that vary from the 1.1-mile East Circuit to the 3.15-mile Grand Full Course. Skip Barber uses the 1.97-mile, 15-turn Corvette Race Loop. This circuit offers an excellent combination of fast straights, double-apex corners, and blind off-camber turns, one of which is appropriately named Sinkhole. (Read these stories if you don’t get the reference.) This section blindly falls away to the tune of 40 feet after a right-hand double-apex corner and then quickly climbs left into the esses. Be careful to mind your unloaded suspension here, or you may be sinking some money into your rental racer.

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Canine-Friendly Cars for the Dog Days of Summer

Nigel the terrier loves feeling the wind in his face

We may be CarGurus, first and foremost, but that doesn’t prevent us from being proud pet owners, too. From French Bulldogs and Miniature Pinschers to Labradors and Great Danes, the dogs of CarGurus are a widely varied bunch. My own dog, Taylor, looks enough like a Labrador to keep landlords and kennels at ease, but her mix of breeds puts her solidly in the “mutt” camp. Regardless of size or breed, however, dogs are always a hit at CarGurus. Maybe that’s because dogs have such a social history with the automobile. They chase them, they hang their heads out the windows, and I don’t think I’ve ever met a dog who didn’t get a case of the wiggles every time it hears, “Want to go for a ride in the car?”

So it’s settled: All dogs love cars. However, not all cars are great for dogs. There are two Great Dane owners at CarGurus, and neither will claim their car (a Fiat 500 and a Chevy Cobalt coupe) really suits their needs as a dog owner. Seeing as we’ve officially reached the dog days of summer, it seems like as good a time as ever to offer up some CarGurus picks for most dog-friendly cars. Just remember: never leave your dog in the car when the weather’s warm and the sun’s out!

Donkey, a French bulldog, likes to drive herself

Subaru Crosstrek
Of course we’re going to put a Subaru on the list. Subaru is a company that has staked much of its image on the “dog-friendly” motif. I can’t report this with 100% certainty, but I believe all property owners in the state of Vermont are actually given a Subaru, a pair of Birkenstocks, and a Golden Retriever upon taking up residence. The Subaru Crosstrek takes the livable practicality of a Subaru Impreza and adds 3 inches of ground clearance, transforming an economical hatchback into a car capable of taking you and your best friend off the beaten path. Beyond being a great car for an outdoorsy lifestyle—and let’s be honest, what dog doesn’t enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle?—the Subaru Crosstrek also has the right balance of features to keep you and your dog safe on any adventure. Symmetrical all-wheel drive and the award-winning EyeSight driver-assistance package help earn this go-anywhere version of the Impreza a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Our own Mike Perkins tested the 2016 Crosstrek with his dog and was most impressed by the vehicle’s safety offerings. Whether you live in New England, the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest, or somewhere else, the Crosstrek is a safe bet for you and your pooch.

Keina the Wheaton Terrier prefers captain’s chairs to bench seats

Mazda5
The Crosstrek is basically a lifted Impreza, so it’s easy to park in the city, it’s safe, and it’s pretty fuel efficient, too. But here’s the thing about the Subaru Crosstrek and virtually all other crossovers: they’re compromised. We look at them and see new levels of adventure and capability, but when compared to a minivan, they’ll always be confined to the shallow end of the practicality swimming pool. The Mazda5 tips the scales at roughly 3,500 pounds—nearly a half-ton less than the Honda Odyssey. Likewise, the multi-purpose vehicle falls short of the Chrysler Pacifica‘s overall length by nearly 20 inches. Owning a dog is absolutely, 100% not equivalent to having children, so a full-size minivan isn’t really necessary. Instead, the Mazda5 gives you all the usefulness of sliding doors, 3-row seating, and a rear liftgate without committing you to a full-size minivan.

Goldens like Colden will always question why they can’t ride shotgun

BMW Z3 M Coupe
Crossovers and multi-purpose vehicles are great, especially if you’re looking to transport a lot of things (or dogs). With a few notable exceptions (cough, Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG, cough) though, they’re rarely the most thrilling vehicles to drive. Almost all sports cars (cough, Pontiac Fiero, cough) are thrilling to drive, but they’re also almost always terribly equipped for pets. Luckily for us, a few German engineers got together in the late ’90s, threw sales projections out the window, and built the perfect car for practical speed demons: the BMW Z3 M Coupe. Dubbed the “clown shoe” for its curious proportions, the 2002 Z3 M Coupe produces 315 horsepower from the legendary S54 straight-6 engine, sends it all to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission, and, despite the misleading “Coupe” name, fits the whole package into a handy hatchback body. So buckle your seatbelt and put the dog carrier in the trunk. Its design may be an acquired taste, but 10 out of 10 dogs agree: the Z3 M Coupe is the most fun you can have in a hatchback.

Rocko the Boxer completely understands “Jeep things”

Honda Element
We highlighted the Honda Element last summer in our quest for the perfect summer adventure car. All-wheel drive, a hugely configurable interior, and just enough power to get out of its own way made it a compelling option for getting out of town, but its appeal to us has always centered on its dog-friendly design. A low loading height means even older dogs shouldn’t struggle to get in, and a textured urethane floor is easy to clean. Honda incorporated a modular seating arrangement in the Element, meaning you’ll be able to configure your passengers’ space just about any way you want it. Plus, the Element is the only car I know of that offers a dog-friendly package. The dog bed and kennel for the trunk, a retractable loading ramp, a water bowl, and plenty of dog-bone-patterned accents will help keep your best friend happy on your next road trip.

How does your dog feel about going for rides in the car?

-Matt Smith

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Used Subaru Crosstrek
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