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Richard Meaden

A motoring journalist and racer for over 20 years, Dickie is one of the founder members of the evo team, a former editor, and current columnist. He made his race debut in 1993, and since then has raced in various one-make series with Ginetta, Vauxhall, Renault and Porsche, and has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours since 2006. In 2007 and 2008 Dickie competed in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in 2011 set a new world record for a production sedan at Bonneville Speed Week… in Skoda Octavia vRS. The speed? 227.08 mph. Yes, honestly.

Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

It's over 30 years since Meaden passed his driving test, and it remains as the single most momentous thing he's ever passed

8 Jan 2019

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

Gimmick or genuine drivers' tool? Meaden weights up digital driver modes, and their positive, or negative effect

11 Dec 2018

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News

Opinion - Richard Meaden

Meaden questions the value of modern-age driver modes, and whether this is one more performance element we don't really want...

6 Nov 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

These days if you’re searching for performance bargains you need to think big, reckons Meaden

3 Oct 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

The cornering shot used to be a source of education and inspiration, but its currency has been devalued in recent times, reckons Meaden

25 Sep 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

Your perfect three-car garage? Child’s play, says Meaden. What you really want is to identify your automotive soulmate

11 Sep 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

Flying may be quicker, but you can’t beat the sense of adventure that comes with a big-miles road-trip, reckons Meaden

28 Aug 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

What was your most memorable drive? Dickie recounts some of his, and obviously, they're incredible...

14 Aug 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

There’s a natural antidote to the crushing ability of modern performance cars, says Meaden, just keep an eye on the Met Office

31 Jul 2018

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Opinion

Richard Meaden - opinion

Calling Toyota 'the most exciting car brand' might sound dubious, but Meaden might be on to something...

15 May 2018

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Opinion

Richard Meaden - opinion

Dickie ponders the pointless, but seductive objective of road cars reaching the 300mph milestone

10 Apr 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

Dickie harks back to a time when hunting down second hand cars was a Sunday ritual rather than an open tab on your browser

27 Mar 2018

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Opinion

'Nowadays Lamborghinis flatter their drivers, rather than frighten the bejesus out of them'

Worried that Lamborghini might be losing its hardcore edge, Meaden appraises the future of the raging bull

13 Mar 2018

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Opinion

Opinion - Richard Meaden

Could recent changes to cars and roads be causing driving standards to decline? Dickie has noticed some worrying initial signs.

21 Feb 2018

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Opinion

evo - opinion

When the alarm bells (and suspension failure warnings) are ringing, should you still buy that well-used dream car? Meaden did.

2 Jan 2018

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Opinion

evo Opinion - Richard Meaden

Some of the most deranged automotive one-offs are the result of engine swaps. Meaden identifies his favourites.

31 Oct 2017

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS v Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

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Group tests

New v used – which car should you choose? - Porsche 911 Carrera GTS v Aston Martin V12 Vantage S - New v Used

The 911 is hard to beat, and the latest GTS is a real gem. But perhaps a special used alternative in the V12 Vantage S might sway you...

16 Oct 2017

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Reviews

Ferrari LaFerrari review, price and video

The LaFerrari is finally here - we review Ferrari flagship on road and track

3 Oct 2017

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Opinion

You don't need to take a far-flung vacation to acquaint you

"Just get up early, drink coffee, grab the keys and drive" says Dickie Meaden

3 Oct 2017

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Opinion

Who asked for autonomous cars?

Engineers and scitentists are falling over themselves to create the autonomous car, but who actually wants one?

19 Sep 2017

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Opinion

"It takes a special kind of person..."

So you think the motorsport-inspired livery on your car is cool? It might be, says Meaden, as he plays arbiter of automotive taste

5 Sep 2017

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Opinion

Our relationship with the performance car industry

The so-called 'power wars' that manufacturers have engaged in are no longer relevant, amusing or helpful.

22 Aug 2017

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Opinion

evo opinion - Dickie Meaden

Car makers are missing out on the incredible power of the silver screen and should try harder to engage with car culture, says Meaden

8 Aug 2017

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Reviews

Aston Martin Vulcan review

Aston Martin's Vulcan delivers an intoxicating blend of the best bits of driving a race car and an exotic supercar

8 Aug 2017

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Reviews

McLaren 570S Spider 2017 review - has the roadster got the Sports Series sparkle? (video)

Every bit as good as McLaren 570S with the roof up, with roof down the Spider delivers more fun and a greater sense of occasion

25 Jul 2017

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Opinion

evo Opinion - Dickie Meaden

It's easy to get sentimental about cars, but to romanticise washing them? No problem for Meaden (who hasn't held a sponge in years)

25 Jul 2017

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Opinion

Richard Meaden - Opinion

The cornering shot used to be a source of education and inspiration, but its currency has been devalued in recent times, reckons Meaden

11 Jul 2017

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Opinion

"The industry is taking me out of the process of driving"

Engineers and scientists are falling over themselves to create the autonomous car, but who actually wants one, asks Meaden

28 Jun 2017

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Opinion

"We're conditioned to want the next big thing"

Afraid of change, overly sentimental or just uninspired by modern machinery? You may well be a Hoarder, says Meaden

13 Jun 2017

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Opinion

"Brutally unsocial hours are the best for driving"

You don’t need to take a far-flung vacation to acquaint your car with a great road. Just get up early, grab the keys and drive

30 May 2017

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Opinion

"Engine swaps embrace anything-goes engineering"

Some of the most deranged automotive one-offs are the result of engine swaps. Meaden identifies his favourites

16 May 2017

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Opinion

Are electric hypercars just hollow publicity stunts?

Not only is the way in which hypercars are built rapidly changing, but so is their raison d'etre. Meaden thinks he's identified a new trend.

12 May 2017

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Group tests

Nissan GT-R vs Lotus Evora Sport 410

The Lotus Evora Sport 410 and Nissan GT-R cost similar money and have a shared purpose. So how do they compare?

2 Mar 2017

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Features

Hennessey Venom GT

Veyron power and speed in a mutant Lotus bodyshell, that’s the venom GT

9 Jan 2017