Lucas Cochrane
Lucas is Content Producer at CarThrottle, responsible for video and social media production across YouTube and all our other online platforms. He started his career as an automotive journalist on the Classics World and Classic Car Buyer magazine, newspaper and YouTube channel. Cutting his teeth on more than 60 classic cars in his first year of work. Now, he’s moved towards newer cars with CT but still likes to squeeze in the odd classic here and there.
As of late, Lucas find he’s best defined by his obsessive attitude towards my hobbies. Primarily they’re cars, cameras, computers and music. So in short, and like most of his colleagues here at CT, he’s a nerd.
What’s the first thing you look for when driving a new car?
As a vertically gifted individual, let’s say, the first thing I look into is the question of whether or not I fit. In modern cars, that’s usually a given, so the second priority is ergonomics. I once had a Fiat 500 as a company car, and while, albeit, with the seat all the way back, the lack of a telescoping steering wheel gave me tennis elbow on longer journeys.
Is there a make-or-break car feature for you?
Buttons, buttons, buttons. It’s sad to think that this is something we have to hope for these days, but with the ever-increasing integration of key functions into screens and capacitive pads, it’s becoming ever more distracting and downright dangerous to do something as simple as adjust the temperature of the climate control. Whereas with a simple button, it’s oh so easy to feel for the interface and make changes without having to take your eyes off the road.
What do you think will be the next big breakthrough development in the industry?
While I do accept that EVs are here to stay, and increasing the viability of hydrogen fuels is a great way to propel us into the future of the automotive industry, it’s equally important that we maintain the vehicles we already have in order to reduce the environmental impact of constantly producing new vehicles.
With that in mind, my main hope is for the breakthrough of sustainable, renewable, and low-carbon fuels. Not only will they help to relieve the increasing scarcity of existing fossil fuels but low-carbon alternatives should help to reduce the impact of driving older cars at the source.
What got you into cars?
I’ve always had a penchant for fast and loud things, so by virtue of all the best cars of my youth being both of those things, a love of cars came naturally to me. Further adding to my automotive addiction is my love of tinkering. The prospect of working on my own cars and tailoring them to my liking is one I’ve dreamed of since I was a tot.
What’s the best car you’ve ever reviewed?
It’s a bit of a cliche, this, but I absolutely adored the Lotus Elan S4. We’ve all heard the tales of perfect handling and steering that even Gordon Murray idolised and in practice, it actually managed to live up to the hype. A truly euphoric driving experience on a perfectly sunny day in Norfolk.
Your favourite car you’ve owned?
That honour falls to my old E30 BMW 323i; by far the coolest car I’ve ever owned. It was slow as you like and drank petrol faster than you could fill it, but it was gorgeous in Hennarot, comfy as anything and had the fruitiest exhaust you’ve ever heard. I’d be lying if I said I was immune to the vanity of upstaging the odd supercar or two…
What’s your dream car?
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake. I’ve been drooling over these cars for the last eight years straight. The coupe and the Volante are cool too, but one does not simply ignore the option of a shooting brake/estate in any line-up.