Richard Porter
@sniffpetrol.com
Astronaut, stunt man, liar. Also one half of Smith and Sniff.
Finally, if you’ve got some helming planned this weekend, why not buy our new Smith and Sniff TRACKWERK T-shirt. Also available as two types of sticker. smithandsniff.com/products/tra...
November 28, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Finally, if you’ve got some helming planned this weekend, why not buy our new Smith and Sniff TRACKWERK T-shirt. Also available as two types of sticker. smithandsniff.com/products/tra...
Made an important modification to my new Dacia Spring. Behold, the Paris look. (Also known as the unmarked police car look, or the bodywork repair centre courtesy car look.)
November 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Made an important modification to my new Dacia Spring. Behold, the Paris look. (Also known as the unmarked police car look, or the bodywork repair centre courtesy car look.)
Also, the offside charging flap was stuck open. But, shonky or not, it had presence. And not just because it was dressed up like a robotic zebra.
November 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Also, the offside charging flap was stuck open. But, shonky or not, it had presence. And not just because it was dressed up like a robotic zebra.
Clearly a work in progress, mind you. I was behind this thing for miles and the right indicator seemed to be jammed on. Here it is turning left but signalling right. Oops!
November 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Clearly a work in progress, mind you. I was behind this thing for miles and the right indicator seemed to be jammed on. Here it is turning left but signalling right. Oops!
Couple of thoughts: First of all, it's big, but not as massive as I expected. Secondly, look at those arches and that sweep of the roof. I think there could be a very dramatic and handsome car under that camouflage. We'll see.
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Couple of thoughts: First of all, it's big, but not as massive as I expected. Secondly, look at those arches and that sweep of the roof. I think there could be a very dramatic and handsome car under that camouflage. We'll see.
Clearly there are still shenanigans going on with fake bits under the wrap, but a lot less than on earlier test cars. DVLA data says this one was registered in July and internal ID sticker includes VB which I assume is 'verification build' so this is production intent spec.
November 20, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Clearly there are still shenanigans going on with fake bits under the wrap, but a lot less than on earlier test cars. DVLA data says this one was registered in July and internal ID sticker includes VB which I assume is 'verification build' so this is production intent spec.
Yes, it's a prototype of the new Jaguar. Running less camo than many of the test cars too. No false roof panel so you can see what appears to be the real panel.
November 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Yes, it's a prototype of the new Jaguar. Running less camo than many of the test cars too. No false roof panel so you can see what appears to be the real panel.
I was driving home from Derby today when - thar she blows! - I encountered my white whale.
November 20, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I was driving home from Derby today when - thar she blows! - I encountered my white whale.
Thanks to everyone who came to our live show in Derby last night. Great venue, fantastic audience, incredible model of Postman Pat's ekranoplan. We had a smashing time, hope you did too.
November 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to our live show in Derby last night. Great venue, fantastic audience, incredible model of Postman Pat's ekranoplan. We had a smashing time, hope you did too.
SMITH AND SNIFF LIVE SHOW NEWS: On Wednesday 11 February 2026 we'll be back in Glasgow. Get tickets here: www.enjoyeastren.org/events/smith...
November 19, 2025 at 10:29 AM
SMITH AND SNIFF LIVE SHOW NEWS: On Wednesday 11 February 2026 we'll be back in Glasgow. Get tickets here: www.enjoyeastren.org/events/smith...
To stop this happening again, Rover engineers put some reflective tape on the nose.
November 17, 2025 at 1:28 PM
To stop this happening again, Rover engineers put some reflective tape on the nose.
There have been a few 'incidents' over the years. There was one in the Alps involving the then-secret Rover SD1 in which the camouflage was so good, some German tourists literally didn't see the prototype coming.
November 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
There have been a few 'incidents' over the years. There was one in the Alps involving the then-secret Rover SD1 in which the camouflage was so good, some German tourists literally didn't see the prototype coming.
Better angle here. It's actually quite sleek without all those false bits gummed to it.
November 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Better angle here. It's actually quite sleek without all those false bits gummed to it.
Speaking of test cars, until now prototypes of the next Jag have had all sorts of extra bumps and layers as well as the camo wrap. But someone's just spotted a later build example that's much less lumpy. www.reddit.com/r/CarTalkUK/...
November 17, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Speaking of test cars, until now prototypes of the next Jag have had all sorts of extra bumps and layers as well as the camo wrap. But someone's just spotted a later build example that's much less lumpy. www.reddit.com/r/CarTalkUK/...
Textbook example of the 'kid wearing his dad's suit' test mule from Mazda here. More pics: www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new...
November 17, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Textbook example of the 'kid wearing his dad's suit' test mule from Mazda here. More pics: www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new...
Also, confused by this review. If there's another car podcast out there discussing accidental dogging and getting so bored in an airport that you buy a boat off eBay, I'd like to hear it.
November 17, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Also, confused by this review. If there's another car podcast out there discussing accidental dogging and getting so bored in an airport that you buy a boat off eBay, I'd like to hear it.
In this week's Smith and Sniff, Jonny has been to Malta and I've got a new car. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
November 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
In this week's Smith and Sniff, Jonny has been to Malta and I've got a new car. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
It'll be made from a yeasty by-product of beer brewing? Eww.
November 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
It'll be made from a yeasty by-product of beer brewing? Eww.
During a bored moment on set, we modified the trim level slightly.
November 12, 2025 at 12:48 PM
During a bored moment on set, we modified the trim level slightly.
Obviously I'm Metro people now and have no need for an Montego, but if I were in the market for such a thing, 2-litre O-series with manual 'box would be the spec. Fond memories of this old snotbox, used as a site hack on a TG shoot years ago.
November 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Obviously I'm Metro people now and have no need for an Montego, but if I were in the market for such a thing, 2-litre O-series with manual 'box would be the spec. Fond memories of this old snotbox, used as a site hack on a TG shoot years ago.
The next Range Rover Velar is going to be very fastbacked.
November 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The next Range Rover Velar is going to be very fastbacked.
In today's Smith and Sniff, aside from reviewing the new Honda Prelude, Jonny and I talk about the time we were left alone in a room at Google's London HQ and got so bored we covered a whiteboard in made-up business toss. Just found my photo of that...
October 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
In today's Smith and Sniff, aside from reviewing the new Honda Prelude, Jonny and I talk about the time we were left alone in a room at Google's London HQ and got so bored we covered a whiteboard in made-up business toss. Just found my photo of that...
In today's Smith and Sniff, Jonny and I review the new Honda Prelude. And talk about Stroker Ace and coffee pods. But mainly review the new Prelude. Sadly, it's not a 2.2, yeah? podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
October 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
In today's Smith and Sniff, Jonny and I review the new Honda Prelude. And talk about Stroker Ace and coffee pods. But mainly review the new Prelude. Sadly, it's not a 2.2, yeah? podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
In the next episode of Smith and Sniff...
October 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
In the next episode of Smith and Sniff...
