Scenario: ICE

The classic. Sound, smell, vibration — the things EVs are killing off.

What to Observe First

During Walkaround (first 5 minutes)

Open the hood — note engine size, layout, cover design
Check exhaust — single, dual, quad? Hidden or prominent?
Count cylinders if visible
Note transmission type (auto/manual/paddle shifters)
Listen to idle — smooth or characterful?

Key Specs to Know

Spec	What to Write Down	Why It Matters
Engine	Displacement, cylinders, turbo/super/naturally aspirated	Defines character
Power	Horsepower & torque figures	Performance context
0-100 km/h	Official time (or estimate)	Relatable benchmark
Fuel economy	Official L/100km + your estimate	Practical reality check
Fuel tank	Liters + estimated range	Real-world context
Transmission	Speeds, type	Drives character
Drivetrain	FWD/RWD/AWD	Handling implications

Film Priority

Must-Film ICE Shots

Engine startup — audio. Let it speak. No music, no talking. 5-10 seconds.
Engine bay — slow pan across the engine cover. Show the size.
Exhaust tips — close-up while running (if safe). Look for visible exhaust gas.
Exhaust note — rev if allowed. Record from behind. The sound IS the content.
Gear shifter / paddle shifters — manual? Show the stick. Auto? Show the mode selector.
Tachometer — filming the revs climb is great B-roll.

Talking Points

[X]cc [Y]-cylinder engine. [Turbo/Naturally aspirated]. [Power] horsepower. Enough numbers to make you smile at every red light.

Engine intro — factual but with personality.

And the sound... [pause, let camera capture]. That's not a speaker. That's the real thing.

Sound intro — if the exhaust note is good, let it breathe.

Fuel economy? Honest take: city driving, expect [X] L/100km. Highway? Maybe [Y]. Not the most efficient, but not the thirstiest either.

Honest fuel economy — give both city and highway.

What makes ICE still relevant? Character. You don't get this from an EV. Nothing replaces the feeling of a revving engine from [X] rpm.

ICE relevance — defend the combustion engine with passion.

Common Traps

Don't:

Rev the engine at a redline for 10 seconds — judges will think you're just playing, not reviewing
Compare to a supercar unless the car actually deserves it — it breaks credibility
Skip fuel economy because "it's not important" — it IS important to the buyer
Forget to mention transmission — it fundamentally changes the driving experience

Verdict Template

"If you still believe a [X]-cylinder engine has a soul, this is the car you're looking for. [Pro]. [Con]. At [price], this is [adjective] in a way that [verdict sentence]."