► 2015 in 10 quotes
► Angry, guilty, philosophical
► Alonso, Winterkorn, Musk and more
A lot happened in 2015, and plenty was said about it – which made for many a juicy quote. From press conferences to pitlanes, here’s ten of the best.
Click here for CAR’s Top 10 things we thought we’d never see in 2015
Click here for a look back at the cars we drove in 2015 in numbers
The year’s best photographs by CAR magazine
‘It feels like GP2. Embarrassing. Very embarrassing. I’ll do my best…’
Fernando Alonso’s radio chatter infuriates the Honda PR machine
‘I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in the Volkswagen Group. As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group. I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrong doing on my part. Volkswagen needs a fresh start – also in terms of personnel. I am clearing the way for this fresh start with my resignation.’
Former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn takes one for the team
‘Good gods, is it quick. 306bhp smeared into the road over and over again as first the VTEC and then the turbo pour out exponential amounts of power the faster you go. Even with the numbers Honda was quoting, I wasn’t quite expecting this.’
Honda Civic Type R Giant Test, CAR, July 2015
‘Freedom is key. You’re trying to escape the tyranny of spec racing and constraint, to get to the point where you can express yourself and do something interesting. The highest level of sport is almost art – it’s graceful and only the very best people can do it. Imagine if an artist was only allowed to create within very strict limits – one sculpture would look just look any other. It would be awful.’
Nissan engineering maverick Ben Bowlby rages against the rulebook, CAR, July 2015
‘Marchionne wanted to build a truck, but I talked him out of it’
Luca di Montezemelo averts a Maranello SUV brand calamity
‘Far from commanding meek respect, the Z06 begs that you thrash it like a hot hatch wherever and whenever you can, massaging your self-belief like a shameless 650bhp sycophant.’
Corvette Z06 First Drive, CAR, March 2015
‘The German car makers will show great humility at the next Frankfurt Show. (I am not confident about this).’
Gavin Green ponders dieselgate’s repercussions
‘So the Squadro Puzzola was born, in secret, and at its head – my god, I can’t believe I’m writing this, it’s like a script out of a car enthusiast’s action movie – is none other than Phillipe Krief, the Ferrari chassis engineer responsible for the 458 Speciale. I feel the need to add a few exclamation marks in now, just for effect: !!!!!’
Mark Walton fails to contain his excitement at the prospect of Alfa’s Giulia Quadrifoglio, CAR, November 2015
‘Tesla’s goal is to change the world and accelerate the advent of sustainable transport. It is important for business to make more money than it spends, but there’s a higher purpose here. We need to make sure the future’s going to be good.’
Tesla boss Elon Musk talks to editor Phil McNamara, CAR, November 2015
‘The difference between being in the lighthouse or the shithouse at this race is very small’
Porsche’s Mark Webber on the challenge of Le Mans, CAR, August 2015
‘This is a 911 for grown-ups. The 991.2 is not only quicker, faster and more frugal than the car it replaces, it’s also more rewarding to drive.’
Phew! Porsche 911 Carrera S (991.2) First Drive, CAR, December 2015
Watch CAR’s Ben Barry experience the new Porsche 991.2 for the first time on video