Shatchback Calendar 2013
It seems as though you can get a calendar for just about anything these days. Walk into a shop during the run up to Christmas and you’ll be greeted by a selection of calendars to suit all tastes. If you like firefighters, kittens, kittens being rescued by firefighters, Cliff Richard, New Kids Take Direction 17, Top Gear or Jordan Price, you’re pretty much sorted. But as far as I’m aware, there’s never been a calendar for Shatchbacks. Until now…
If I’d have sorted myself out last year, there would have been a Shatchback calendar for 2012. But I didn’t. So there isn’t.
Instead, it’s time to plan for 2013 and thanks to the input of James Winstanley (@JWinstanley), I have a cunning plan as to how it will work. And this is where the readers of PetrolBlog come in. Read more 
Old Gold Top Gear: Renault 19 and 21
It’s been two weeks since the last episode of PetrolBlog’s Old Gold Top Gear, so to make up for lost time, this week’s video features not one, but two Renaults. Not only that, but you’re also treated to an appearance from William Woollard and Chris Goffey. Call it an early Easter present from PetrolBlog. Read more
Electric Shatchback: Renault Fluence Z.E Dynamique
The 14th of February 2012 was the day I finally got to drive an electric car. Yes, PetrolBlog has propelled itself into the 21st century by experiencing what some people predict is the future of motoring.
That point is debatable of course. There are alternative fuels in development and electric cars have some way to go before they can be considered a realistic alternative to the internal combustion engine. Not only are the cars costly to buy, but there just isn’t the infrastructure to support a nation of electric cars. What’s more, the charging time and the anticipated range of an average electric car just isn’t enough to satisfy most drivers.
But like it or not, electric cars are becoming more common place and can now be seen as just another model in a manufacturer’s range of vehicles. In a relatively short space of time, they’ve gone from being the slightly eccentric uncle in the corner to the perfect dinner party guest. Read more
In defence of Shatchbacks
Antony Ingram is clearly growing quite attached to Chez PetrolBlog. Only last week he was waxing lyrical about his Fiat Panda 100HP, which he just happens to be selling. A week later and he’s back, but this time he’s not writing about talented Italian pocket rockets. Oh no. Mr Ingram is here to do the unthinkable – defend the Shatchback. He’s been threatening it for a while now and, much as it pains me to admit it, he does make some valid points. Heck, I even find some of the cars he mentions quite desirable. I think I need to go for a lie down, so I’ll hand you over to Mr Ingram.
I have a terrible, terrible confession to make.
I’m no murderer. Nor do I secretly like Justin Bieber. And I’ve not been cheating on anyone.
No, my confession is that – much as it pains me to say it – I quite like Shatchbacks. Read more
And the Shatchback of the Year 2011 is…
Drum roll please. After a frantic few days of voting, the readers of PetrolBlog have voted with their feet and really stuck the boot in. I’m therefore pleased to announce that the winner of the Golden Boot and therefore Shatchback of the Year 2011 is… Read more
The Golden Boot: Vote for your Shatchback of the Year 2011
It’s the most anticipated and highly sought after award of the year. Forget the Oscars. Forget the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Even forget the Best Pork Sausage of the Year. The one that everyone has been waiting for is the prestigious Shatchback of the Year award. Which automotive afterthought is best deserving of the Golden Boot? Read more
Black Magic VW: Gary’s Volkswagen Santana
When was the last time you saw a Volkswagen Santana? According to How Many Left? there are just seven left on Britain’s roads, making the 4-door saloon quite a rare sight. It was actually no more than a B2 Passat sedan, making the Santana some kind of retro Shatchback hero.
Amazingly, some 194,000 Santanas were produced between 1981 and 1985, before the Santana name was dropped in favour of the Passat saloon. Three years later, in 1988, the B2 Passat was replaced by the B3 and the Santana was banished, in the UK at least, to automotive history. In China the name may live on, but in the UK, you’re more likely to hear Santana on the Ken Bruce show than see one on parked on your local high street. Read more
Shatchbacks VI: Hatchbacks Under Siege
Can it really be five months since the last Shatchback update? OK, there was an impromptu spotting frenzy in Lisbon back in the summer, but PetrolBlog has been lax in getting more booted horrors on to the hall of fame. So without further ado, I give you Shatchbacks VI: Hatchbacks Under Siege. With grateful thanks to @jeckythump for the inspired title. Read more
From Shatchbacks to Supercars courtesy of Michelin
PetrolBlog is in Portugal. Or to be more precise, PetrolBlog is staying in a hotel near Lisbon with Michelin Tyres following an invite to one of their Pilot Performance Days. This means spending most of tomorrow test tyres and driving supercars on the former Portuguese Grand Prix circuit at Estoril. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Read more
Shatchbacks V: The Final Frontier?
I’ll start the fifth update of Shatchbacks with a sobering point. I’ve received enough content suggestions to ensure that Shatchbacks will continue until at least the seventh episode, so not quite the final frontier – yet. Who would have thought that there was so much misery on our roads? On a lighter note, I’m delighted to report that manufacturers are clearly seeing the marketing potential of Shatchbacks. A quick Google search reveals that Hyundai, Peugeot and Vauxhall have all bought Shatchbacks as a Pay-Per-Click AdWord. Nice. But for your information Google, no I didn’t mean to search for hatchbacks! Read more
Shatchbacks IV: Salvation
Something has been troubling me recently – I’ve had the feeling that something is missing from PetrolBlog. Not the usual problem of a lack of Hobnobs, but a serious problem all the same.
Then it dawned on me – there hasn’t been a Shatchback update for six months. Read more
A Shatchback to prove GreenCarsRock
Regular readers of PetrolBlog will know that I have an irrational hatred of Shatchbacks. For the uninitiated, a Shatchback is the automotive equivalent of an afterthought – a hatchback which has simply had a cardboard box welded to the boot to turn it into a saloon car. There have been some horrors featured on PetrolBlog, but worse is to come I’m sure. Read more
Shatchbacks 3: The Rise of the Machines
When I first wrote of my irrational hatred of Shatchbacks, I fully expected to be singled out as a little strange. Some people choose to despise 4x4s. Some people chose to take a dislike of BMW X6s; and X5s; and X3s; and X1s. Quite right too. But for me, the biggest horror on our roads is the booted hatchback. A group of cars so hideous that they’re becoming known as Shatchbacks. Read more
Shatchbacks 2: Judgement Day
It would appear that I’m not alone in my irrational hatred of Shatchbacks. My previous list of horrors was quite clearly just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. If you missed the early instalment, take a look here http://bit.ly/92DnEx. Be warned though, the images aren’t pretty. Read more
Shatchbacks – Give them the boot
Let’s face it, there are certain types of car that divide opinion. One man’s off road warrior is another man’s polar bear destroyer. Indeed, the 4X4 is probably the mode of transport that polarises opinion the most. No pun intended. Read more
