Merc’s baby SUV Official – they’re making a posh Juke 5 NOVEMBER 2014 £3.50 | AUTOCAR.CO.UK NEW AUDI TT The future of Lotus New boss, new plan (and this one makes sense) TWIN TEST Yes, the M235i wins but we reveal why you may want the Audi all the same… Maserati’s model blitz The boss spills the beans Driven: Dutch Ferrari New Vencer ‘better than good’ 5 November 2014 | Renault Mégane RS
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Merc’s baby SUVOfficial – they’re making a posh Juke
5 NOVEMBER 2014 £3.50 | AUTOCAR.CO.UK
NEW AUDI TT
The future of LotusNew boss, new plan (and this one makes sense)
TWIN TEST
Yes, the M235i wins but we reveal why you may want the Audi all the same…
Maserati’s model blitzThe boss spills the beans
Driven: Dutch Ferrari New Vencer ‘better than good’
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5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5
DEALSUsed buying guide Dodge Viper RT/10 72
James Ruppert Buying a teen’s first car 74
New cars A-Z All the latest models rated 78
Road test results Autocar’s data archive 93
Classifieds Cars, number plates, services 95
72
Revealed: Mercedes’plans for a newentry-level SUV
8NEWSMercedes G-Code Radical baby SUV concept 8
BMW X5M, X6M Hot new SUVs for LA reveal 13
Audi Q7 All-new model spied ahead of Detroit 15
Volvo XC40 Small SUV gets top priority 16
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Luxury 4x4 aims high 19
Kia’s Prius rival Petrol-electric hatch planned 22
Spotlight Lotus’s Jean-Marc Gales speaks out 24
TESTEDKia Sorento 2.2 CRDi SUV makes a solid case 28
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Best in range 30
Audi A7 Sportback Facelift brings extra kit 33
BMW M4 convertible Hard-driving soft-top 35
Renault Mégane RS 275 Trophy-R ROAD TEST 56
FEATURESAudi TT vs BMW M235i Coupés square up 36
Maserati’s future Boss Harald Wester tells all 44
Vencer Sarthe New Dutch supercar driven 52
OUR CARSMazda 3 Pretty as a picture but tough, too 66
Vauxhall VXR8 GTS More tyres, please 69
MG 3 Not so different from the original Mini 71
EVERY WEEKSteve Cropley On manoeuvres at Goodwood 21
Matt Prior To wave or not to wave? 23
Joe Saward Sauber’s new recruit for 2015 27
Your views Back to old-school for the BMW M2 64
Colin Goodwin Fast female Elizabeth Junek 64
Subscription offer Free Soundscience speakers70
Richard Bremner Ford Capri of your dreams 98
THIS WEEK
Volvo XC40: new compact SUV on the way First drive: Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint
autocar.co.uk/subscriptionsFor all our latest subscription offers
BLOG
Updated Cayenne Driving Porsche’s facelifted SUV
Steve Cropley Why you need to try your hand at AutoSolo
VIDEO
NEWS
Audi S6 Avant Updated estate offers rapid all-season ability
Infiniti Q80 Exclusive pictures of the Panamera rival
REVIEW
VIDEO
The Alfieri will complete Maserati’s new-look six-model line-up
THIS WEEKIssue 6124 | Volume 281 | No 6 Established 1895
CAN MASERATI REALLY hit the big time? That’s to say, can the Italians really sell 75,000 cars a year, when severalyears ago they were lucky to sell 5000?
With the global luxury car market growing the way it is, that seems like an achievable target, and even more so when you realise that by 2018 the company will have a luxury SUV and the stunning Alfieri sports car joining its sports saloons. Not to mention that it’s one of the most evocativebrand names in the business, has a growing dealer network and is led by a highly talented boss, Harald Wester, who is interviewed by Steve Cropley on p44.
Lots of positives, then. But Maserati still has to prove that it can make market-leading cars. Yes, the new saloons are good but it’s also easy to think of reasons not to buy one. Making world-class cars is what any company needs to do in order to have long-term success and not just be a one-hit
wonder (a situation in which sister firm Alfa has historically found itself).
Let’s hope that Maserati manages it, though. Not everyone wants to be effectively forced to buy a German car, after all.
8 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5 NOVEMBER 2014
THIS WEEK
Mercedes plots newQG-Code concept previews all-new entry-level 4x4 to take on Mini CountrymanQ Hydrogen-
The G-Code is 317mm shorter than the GLA, Merc’s smallest SUV
Mercedes-Benz has previewed its plans for a new price-leading SUV to be positioned
beneath its existing entry-level A-class line-up. The firm showed its intentions by unveiling the G-Code, an advanced, hydrogen-electric 2+2 hatchback concept.
The G-Code is said to provide tacit clues to a more conventionally engineered, high-riding, urban-based SUV model already under development at Mercedes. The new SUV is as part of a future-proofing strategy aimed at attracting younger buyers to the traditional luxury car brand.
The innovative new concept
was revealed in a ceremony held to celebrate the opening of Mercedes’ new R&D facility in Beijing, China.
The G-Code has been styled in a collaboration between a team at Mercedes’ advanced design centre in China and its main studio in Germany. Inspiration for the compact four-seater comes from what the company’s head of design, Gorden Wagener, describes as “the modern lifestyle of the younger Asian society”.
The contemporary-looking SUV concept has a muscular five-door hatchback body with short overhangs at each end. It adopts elements of Mercedes’ current design language,
including a bold twin-blade grille, angular headlamps with G-shaped LED graphics, prominent chamfered arches housing 21-inch wheels, heavily structured surfacing and a one-piece tailgate,
Among the G-Code’s more flamboyant design touches is a canopy-style glasshouse, with the windscreen wrapping around over the A-pillars to give the roof a floating appearance similar to the treatment used by Mini on its more recent models. The new concept also takes advantage of the lack of a traditional B-pillar by employing coach-style doors at the rear to give unhindered access to the cabin.
O F F I C I A L P I C T U R E S
-
THIS WEEK
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 9
w baby SUV-electric powertrainQ High-tech energy recovery systems
The new SUV is part of a strategy aimed at
attracting younger buyers
ACCORDING TO MERCEDES-BENZ chairman
Dieter Zetsche, internal studies into a new range
of sub-A-class models have been under way for
over two years now, clearly suggesting that this
4100mm-long five-door hatchback could form the
basis of a high-riding rival to the likes of the Audi Q1 and Mini
Countryman. “It is an interesting and potentially lucrative
market,” he told Autocar. Reflecting on the slim profit margins
traditionally attained at this level of the market, Zetsche ruled
out using the Smart brand name to compete. He said: “A car in
this segment needs a Mercedes-Benz badge.” GK
Is this car more than mere design fantasy?
For added visual effect, the grille is backlit in one of three colours — blue, purple or red — depending on the chosen driving mode. The designers have also replaced traditional exterior rear-view mirrors with two cameras mounted on retractable arms within the upper section of the A-pillars. A full-length strip of LEDs is also used at the rear, providing illumination for the indicators, tail-lamps and brake lights.
At 4100mm long, 1900mm wide and 1500mm tall, the G-Code is 317mm shorter, 96mm wider and 6mm taller than Mercedes’ existing entry-level SUV, the GLA. This suggests that the company
is looking to extend its line-up into a lower class, where the production version of the G-Code would possibly compete against such cars as the upcoming Audi Q1.
Mercedes has yet to fully detail the powerplant showcased in the G-Code. It has only said that it relies on the combination of a “state-of-the-art turbocharged combustion engine that runs on hydrogen” and an “electric motor that drives the rear axle”.
The new hydrogen-electric powertrain is a development of that set to appear in the B-class Fuel Cell due in 2017. It offers three driving modes: all-electric Hybrid eDrive, ◊
10 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5 NOVEMBER 2014
Δ hydrogen-electric Hybrid Eco and hydrogen-electric Hybrid Sport.
Depending on the chosen mode, the G-Code can operate in front-wheel drive powered solely by the combustion engine, in rear-wheel drive propelled by the electric motor or in four-wheel drive with both the combustion engine and electric motor.
Drive is channelled through a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and an electronic propshaft that serves to combine the two power sources.
As well as featuring the latest in kinetic energy regeneration and plug-in technology, the G-Code uses two advanced energy-sourcing technologies currently being investigated by Mercedes as a way to provide power for hydrogen synthesis on the move.
‘Multi-voltaic’ paint covers the body of the G-Code and not only acts like a giant solar cell to produce electrical energy when the sun shines but also regenerates electrostatic energy as wind is drawn over the surface.
The new concept also employs what Mercedes describes as “power-on-the-move suspension” in which the rebound movement of the springs and dampers is used to drive a generator via hydraulic means to create electricity.
The G-Code’s interior has a clean, uncluttered look with controls — including steering wheel, pedals and head-up display — that automatically extend from their rest positions when the ignition is triggered via a smartphone.
A widescreen monitor spans almost the entire width of
the instrument binnacle and houses vehicle information as well as infotainment functions and images from the rear-view cameras.
A flat panel runs through the middle of the cabin, providing mounting points for a rotary controller, various switches and aluminium grab handles. Meanwhile, 3D body scanners allow the leather-lined carbonfibre-backed seats to automatically adjust to suit occupants, providing massage, heating and cooling functions.
In a nod to the design of Mercedes’ more recent production models, the G-Code adopts round ventilation units. The air conditioner is envisaged to use oxygen produced during hydrogen synthesis to provide fresh air even in urban stop-and-go traffic in congested Asian cities.
Taking the personal mobility theme beyond the car itself, the G-Code also houses two electric scooters below the floor of the luggage compartment. They are conceived to be recharged during driving to provide additional mobility in the city after parking.
Although Mercedes describes the G-Code as an advanced design study with little technical significance to its future production car line-up, insiders suggest that its exterior design, dimensions and interior packaging are a foretaste of a new entry-level model to join the firm’s growing number of SUV models.
The compact SUV follows the more functionally styled Ener-G-Force concept revealed at the 2012 Los Angeles show.GREG KABLE
The G-Code houses two electric scooters below the floor of the boot
THIS WEEK
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GLAThe GLA will remain the foundation of Merc’s
SUV line-up for several years yet. It is the
fourth car to be spun off Merc’s front-drive
MFA platform after the A-class, B-class and
CLA. A further model, a CLA Shooting Brake,
is planned, as is a pair of Infiniti models as
part of Mercedes’ tie-up with Nissan, but so
far the firm has no plans for a coupé version
of the GLA. A production version of the
G-Code would supersede the GLA as the
smallest Mercedes SUV.
GLEFacelifted third-generation M-class is set
to be called the GLE to reflect its close
technical ties with the E-class. The mid-life
visual changes are described as being more
significant than usual for Merc, with newly
shaped headlamps and revisions to the steel
body structure. Insiders say it will receive
updated versions of today’s in-line four, V6
and V8 engines. New to the line-up will be
a GLE500 plug-in hybrid running the same
436bhp petrol-electric system used by the
S500 plug-in hybrid.
GLSMercedes’ range-topping GL SUV is due to
get a mid-life facelift in early 2016. Along
with stylistic and technical changes, the
big US-built seven-seater will also receive
a new name: GLS. Further into the future,
Mercedes plans to spin a long-wheelbase
Maybach model off the third-generation
model due in 2018. This move will push the
GLS further upmarket, where it will compete
against the likes of the Range Rover and
production version of the Bentley EXP 9F.
GLCThe successor to the first-generation GLK
is called the GLC. Unlike its predecessor, the
mid-size SUV has been engineered in both
left and right-hand drive, paving the way for
a UK introduction shortly after its unveiling
at next year’s Shanghai motor show. Engine
choices will include existing four-pot and
six-cylinder petrol and diesel units, while a
plug-in hybrid is likely in early 2016. Also in
the blocks is a GLC63 AMG running a twin-
turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine.
GLE COUPEPreviewed by the Concept Coupé SUV at the
Beijing motor show in April, the production
version of the M-class-based five-door
is scheduled to be unveiled at the Detroit
motor show in January prior to the start of
UK sales during the second quarter of
2015. Mercedes’ rival to the BMW X6 will
receive a limited range of six-pot and eight-
cylinder petrol and diesel powerplants,
including a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8
petrol engine in the range-topping GLE63
AMG coupé model.
G-CLASSMercedes’ iconic G-class off-roader is
scheduled to receive what company insiders
describe as the model’s most significant
update in more than 35 years when a
heavily revised version appears in 2017.
Among the changes will be a new body
structure, which provides scope for wider
tracks and improved interior packaging.
The engines planned for this military-grade
SUV include Mercedes’ new in-line six-
cylinder diesel powerplant.
The packaging is said by insiders to preview
the new baby SUV’s
MERCEDES’ SUV SIX-PACK
THIS WEEK
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X5M and X6M unleashedBMW’s new performance SUVs charge harder, go faster and emit less CO2 than their predecessors
The sporting intent of the X6M is apparent in the design of its seats
The X5M is priced from £90,170, which is £2900 less than the X6M
Each can hit 62mph in 5.4sec — 0.3sec quicker than beforeB
MW’s M division has raised the stakes in the performance SUV ranks with the unveiling of its
rapid second-generation X5M and X6M.
Both new models are set to make their public debuts at the upcoming Los Angles motor show prior to the start of UK sales in April next year.
Each of the new SUV pairing receives the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre petrol engine used by the M5 and M6. This endows them with more power and torque than before, as well as enhanced straight-line acceleration, a slightly higher top speed, better combined cycle fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
The X5M and X6M use the same 90deg V8 as the existing M5 and M6, but changes to the induction system provide the new SUVs with 564bhp and 553lb ft (developed between 2200rpm and 5000rpm), increases of 12bhp and 52lb ft over the M5 and M6.
These figures also represent 17bhp and 52lb ft increases on the similarly configured engine that powered the first generation of the X5M and X6M. It is also 51bhp more than (but the same torque rating as) the twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8 petrol engine
used by the recently facelifted Porsche Cayenne Turbo and 46bhp and 37lb ft more than the twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 of the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.
Channelling the prodigious reserves is an eight-speed automatic gearbox that features stop-start and brake-energy recuperation. It replaces the six-speed unit used by the earlier X5M and X6M and is allied to a permanent, multi-plate-clutch four-wheel drive system.
The drive system is capable of apportioning up to 100 per cent of torque to either the front or rear axle and features electronically controlled torque vectoring as part of a so-called Dynamic Drive package.
Tipping the scales at 30kg less than their predecessors — 2275kg for the new X5M and 2265kg for the new X6M — the two performance SUVs share a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.4sec, which is an improvement of 0.3sec on the first-generation models. The nominal top speed remains limited to 155mph, although owners can choose to have it raised to 174mph, which is 3mph higher than before.
By comparison, the 2185kg Cayenne Turbo possesses claimed figures of 4.2sec
for the 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of 174mph. The 2345kg ML63 AMG boasts performance claims of 4.8sec and a governed 155mph.
BMW puts the combined cycle fuel consumption and average CO2 emissions for both of its new M division SUVs at 25.5mpg and 258g/km. This represents a 5.2mpg and 67g/km improvement on the old X5M and X6M.
To visually distinguish the new performance models from less powerful versions in the range, there is a new front bumper with large air intakes for added engine bay and front brake cooling, painted wheel arch flares, revised front wings with a stylised duct to extract air from the front wheel housings, signature M exterior mirrors, chunkier sills underneath the doors and a deeper rear bumper that houses four chromed tailpipes.
Buyers can choose between standard 20-inch wheels — 10 inches wide up front and 11.5 inches wide at the rear, shod with 285/40 front and substantial 325/35 rear tyres — or optional 21-inch rims.
The new X5M will be priced from £90,170 and the new X6M from £93,070.GREG KABLE
O F F I C I A L P I C T U R E S
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AMG START WORK ON GLC SUVMercedes-Benz is developing an AMG version of the upcoming GLC SUV. The GLC will replace the GLK and be offered in right-hand drive when sales start next year. The GLC63 AMG will use the same twin-turbo 4.0 V8 as the C63 AMG.
CADDY’S BMW M4 RIVAL SPIEDCadillac’s high-performance ATS-V coupé has been caught undisguised just weeks ahead of its Los Angeles motor show debut. A twin-turbo 3.6-litre V6 engine with as much as 480bhp is expected to be fitted in the BMW M4 rival.
Detroit Electric finalises UK-built SP:01 sports carDETROIT ELECTRIC HASrevealed the final design forits SP:01 electric sports car.Production of the car will startin the UK later this year aheadof a global launch next year.
The two-seat model was first shown in prototype form at last year’s Shanghai motor show. Design changes made for this final version include a new underbody diffuser and rear wing to reduce lift, plus minor changes to the front air intakes.
The SP:01’s lithium ion battery packs, which grant the
car a range of about 180 miles,have also been clad in a newcasing that shields cells fromdamage in a collision. Expect a0-60mph time of 3.7sec and a155mph top speed.
Customers can already place orders for the new car. Early pricing information indicates a starting cost of about £100,500. The first deliveries are expected in the first quarter of next year.
Earlier this summer, the firm announced that it would be building the SP:01 at a
new facility in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. It also revealed that plans for a new 2+2 model and saloon were under consideration. Those models would be engineered and assembled in Detroit and arrive in 2016.
New Audi Q7 goes big on techSeven-seat SUV to use a new, lighter high-tech platform and at least four different powertrains
Audi is putting the
finishing touches to its
all-new Q7 SUV ahead
of its expected world
debut at the Detroit motor
show in January.
The Slovakian-built Q7
will be the first of up to five
new luxury SUVs scheduled
by the Volkswagen Group to
use its second-generation
MLB platform. Also planned
is a new third-generation
Volkswagen Touareg, the first
chassis mules for which were
caught testing last week, a
third-generation Porsche
Cayenne, Bentley’s new 2016
SUV and the Lamborghini
Urus, which is still yet to be
signed off for production by
Volkswagen Group bosses.
The new structure will
allow for a considerable
weight saving of up to 300kg
over the existing Q7. The
lightest model today is the
2220kg 3.0 V6 TFSI. The MLB
platform features a greater
percentage of high-strength
steel and aluminium in the
floorpan and body structure,
while the Audi version also
employs carbonfibre.
Petrol engines will include
largely carried-over units
including a supercharged
3.0-litre V6 and twin-turbo
4.0-litre V8. The V6 diesel
will also be retained in up
to three states of tune,
while new V8 and V10 diesels
are under development.
An eight-speed automatic
gearbox with stop-start,
brake-energy recuperation
and a likely coasting function
is set to be fitted as standard
on all models.
Two plug-in hybrid systems
are set to be offered as part
of Audi’s push towards the
technology — a petrol-electric
one and a diesel-electric one.
A question mark hangs over
the all-wheel drive system
that the Q7 will use. Audi
could ditch its mechanical
Torsen torque-sensing
four-wheel drive for a lighter
electro-hydraulic multi-plate-
clutch arrangement, as used
by most Touareg and Cayenne
models today.
Inside, the Q7 will offer
seven seats over three rows,
and a new interior control
layout with a large touch
pad as part of an overhauled
Multi-Media Interface (MMI).
A stubby gearlever and a
mobile phone charging pad
also feature.
The Q7 is also set to form
the basis of a more sporting
Q8 model, which is tipped
to get an all-electric drive
system to pitch it against the
upcoming Telsa Model X.
GREG KABLE
SP:01 can hit 60mph in 3.7sec and has a 180-mile range
The Q7 will shed its disguise in January
Cabin features a new control layout
S P Y S H O T SA U D I Q 7
16 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5 NOVEMBER 2014
Volvo to make compact SUVpremium XC40 SUV based on forthcoming CMA platformCompany boss reveals plans for ‘small but premium’ XC40 SUV based on forth i CM
Volvo has made a small SUV its top priority once it has finished renewing its existing ranges.
“A small SUV is very high on our wish list,” Volvo chairman Håkan Samuelsson confirmed to Autocar. “There is a clear trend towards downsizing and we will provide customers with an SUV that is small in stature but remains premium in nature.”
The new car is likely to be
called XC40 and will be based on the forthcoming Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform being developed in conjunction with Volvo’s Chinese owners, Geely.
However, Samuelsson has ruled out for now any attempt to further diversify Volvo’s ranges in his quest to increase sales from about 450,000 units at present to 800,000 by the end of the decade.
“In four years’ time, the new
XC90 will be the oldest car we make, but we see the priority as replacing our bread and butter models rather than breaking new ground,” he said.
This means that by 2020 Volvo will have three central ranges, badged 40, 60 and 90, all of which will be offered in saloon, estate and SUV form.
“The job for now is to become bigger and more profitable doing what we already do but doing it much
better and charging more for it,” said Samuelsson. “Only then can we start looking at coupés and convertibles.” He also confirmed that there are no current plans to replace the C30 small hatchback.
In the meantime, Volvo remains committed to its four-cylinder future, even though the strategy has met with some resistance in the crucial but V8-friendly US market.
“The question is how long is
it [the V8] going to last once cars have to produce an average of 95g/km?” he said. “If you want 400bhp, we can give you 400bhp but no one needs it all the time so we provide the power using batteries and meet emissions targets with plug-in hybrids. That’s why we have changed our strategy and market them as twin-engine cars because that is effectively what we’re providing.”ANDREW FRANKEL
SEAT COULD END up with a three-strong SUV range, according to company boss Jürgen Stackmann.
The first, a Nissan Qashqai-rivalling model based on the Leon, is confirmed for 2016 but smaller and larger models are also being planned.
“A big SUV is potentially a yes for us but we have to make sure that customers want it,” Stackmann said.
It is understood that a bigger priority for Seat is a smaller SUV to rival the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka and Renault Captur. Such a car is likely to be based on the Ibiza supermini and could go on sale in 2017, a year after its bigger Leon-based brother.
“A small SUV will show where we want to take the brand,” said Stackmann.
“This segment is purpose-made for Seat as it combines emotion and functionality.
“But it would be two-wheel drive only. A four-wheel-drive version only adds infrastructure and complexity and our customers won’t pay €2000 for it.”
Stackmann also revealed that Seat has no plans to replace the Exeo or launch a car to compete in the Ford Mondeo sector. “Returning to that class is a no-go strategy,” he said. “That class is now all about premium or different bodystyles.”
Stackmann added that pure-electric and plug-in hybrid versions of existing models don’t currently feature in Seat’s plans. “We will do plug-in hybrid only if there’s demand from our customers,” he said.
Seat sees potential in three-pronged SUV assaultLeon-based SUV could be followed by smaller and larger SUV models
THIS WEEK
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 17
NISSAN REVEALED A new compact SUV concept called Kicks at last week’s Sao Paulo motor show in Brazil.
The Kicks offers a thinly veiled look at a new production model that will go on sale in Brazil. It follows on from the Extrem concept, which made its debut in 2012.
Nissan said the Kicks, which has been designed at studios in the US and South America, is targeted at “today’s fast-moving Brazilian professionals”.
It went on: “It is a vehicle
that’s rugged enough to handle the reality of Brazilian back roads but that is sporty, sophisticated and business-like with year-round utility.”
The concept sits on 19-inch alloy wheels and is 4300mm long, 1800mm wide and 1600mm tall. No details of the powertrain have been revealed.
It won’t be sold in the UK but Nissan design boss Shiro Nakamura said the firm is “considering if it would meet the needs of urban dwellers in other countries”.
MAZDA WILL REVEAL a new
compact crossover called
the CX-3 at the Los Angeles
motor show later this month.
The firm has previewed the
new model in the official
sketch pictured here.
The CX-3 is set to take
on the likes of the Nissan
Juke. It will go on sale in
the UK around April next
year before deliveries begin
in the summer.
The CX-3 is a global
model for Mazda and is
expected to be a significant
seller for the brand in a fast-
growing segment.
The official sketch shows
that the CX-3 features
Mazda’s ‘Kodo — Soul of
Motion’ design language.
This is being introduced
across the firm’s range, as
seen on the new 2, 3, 6 and
the CX-5. The CX-3 will be
a sleeker and sportier baby
brother to the larger Nissan
Qashqai-sized CX-5.
Mazda says the CX-3
will carry “the full range of
SkyActiv technology” from
its range, so it will be based
on the lightweight, scalable
SkyActiv platform used
across its line-up.
This also means that
the CX-3 will use Mazda’s
SkyActiv engine range.
It is understood that the
CX-3 will share its engines
with the 2 supermini, so
expect the firm’s new
1.5-litre turbodiesel
engine to feature, offering
about 104bhp, as well as a
SkyActiv-G petrol option
with up to 114bhp.
The Japanese marque
has also confirmed that it
will be displaying facelifted
versions of the CX-5 and 6
at the LA show, alongside
a US debut for the new MX-5,
which recently had its world
debut in Europe at the Paris
motor show.
Also on display at the
LA show, which starts on
19 November, will be a new
range-topping petrol engine,
a 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G unit
with about 300bhp.
DARREN MOSS
Nissan gets its Kicks but in Brazil only
Mazda gives first glimpse of new CX-3
NEW STI FORESTER CONFIRMEDSubaru has previewed the launch of an STI version of its Forester. No information has been revealed ahead of its 25 November launch, but expect a turbo flat four engine with up to 300bhp to drive all four wheels. UK sales are unlikely.
FREE ROLLS-ROYCE EXHIBITIONRolls-Royce is putting on a series of free ‘Inside Rolls-Royce’ exhibitions, with the first at London’s Saatchi Gallery on 13-17 November. Exhibits include paint and material selection, bespoke car creation and the marque’s history.
ConfidentialTHERE’S TOO MUCH emphasis on front-end design in today’s car market, reckons Nissan’s chief creative officer, Shiro Nakamura. “Too many cars all look the same,” he said, “and the only difference is in the face. It’s unhealthy. The rest of the car needs to work, too.”
THE NEXT-GENERATION Audi R8 will be launched next year, R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg has confirmed. He said the new model, which shares underpinnings with the Lamborghini Huracán, will be offered with “different drivetrains”, including an electric version with a 250-mile-plus range, although a Le Mans-derived Audi hypercar will definitely not be happening.
PEUGEOT’S QUARTZ SUV concept car provides clues to the 3008 successor, company boss Maxime Picat has hinted. “‘It will inspire the car [the 3008 replacement] and it shows the way that we want to go, especially for perceived quality,” he said.
VW R&D BOSS Heinz-Jakob Neusser said that he can envisage a future where superminis are powered by petrol engines, assisted by a belt-driven starter-generator motor. If production volumes were large enough, he said, they could even be cheaper to produce than future turbodiesel engines.
HEAD OF MERCEDES R&D Thomas Weber remains a fan of hydrogen despite the popularity of EVs. “The energy density of hydrogen will always be greater than that of known battery technology,” he told Autocar. “A hydrogen fuel-cell car can be refuelled in three minutes but the fastest charging systems still take 30 minutes.”
The Kicks concept previews a new SUV to be sold in Brazil
O F F I C I A L P I C T U R E
THIS WEEK
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 19
Jeep guns for Range RoverNew Grand Wagoneer flagship will take the fight to high-end 4x4s; on sale in two to three years
The Grand Wagoneer will supersede the Grand
Cherokee (left) as flagship
FERRARI IS TO be split fromFiat Chrysler Automobiles(FCA) in a move designedto support the group’s long-term success.
Sergio Marchionne, bossof FCA and more recentlyFerrari, said: “Following ouracquisition of the minorityinterest in Chrysler earlier thisyear, the transformation ofFiat and Chrysler into FCA wascompleted earlier this monthwith our debut on the New YorkStock Exchange [NYSE].
“As we move to secure the2014-2018 business plan and
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Ferrari to split
FACELIFTED FOCUS ST OUT NOWThe facelifted Ford Focus ST is on sale now priced from £22,195 ahead of UK deliveries in February. The new-look model retains its 247bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine but has efficiency gains. A new 182bhp ST diesel version also costs £22,195.
JLR PLANS BRAZILIAN DISCOSJaguar Land Rover will build up to 24,000 units per year of the new Discovery Sport from 2016 at a new factory in Brazil. The models are for Brazil only and supplement UK production. JLR will invest £240 million in the factory by 2020.
Jeep has confirmed that
its new Grand Wagoneer
SUV, on sale around 2017-
2018, will be a flagship
model to rival Range Rovers
and other high-end 4x4s.
Speaking to Autocar, Jeep
global brand director Michael
Manley said: “Part of my plan
says there is space for us
above the Grand Cherokee.
I’ve always talked about Grand
Wagoneer and that
for me is a big focus
and will fill out the
brand at the top.”
Jeep first
announced the
return of the
Grand Wagoneer
nameplate in 2012
at the Geneva motor
show, but its relationship to
the Grand Cherokee, currently
Jeep’s flagship, has not
always been made clear.
“I think that vehicle [Grand
Wagoneer] will very, very
effectively compete with
premium SUVs,” Manley said
at the recent Paris show.
The new Grand Wagoneer
has three rows of seating,
which would pitch it in the
territory of the new Land
Rover Discovery as well as the
Range Rover and the Range
Rover Sport.
However, Manley said that
the new Grand Wagoneer will
not occupy a market slot that
overlaps with the forthcoming
Maserati Levante, another
SUV within the Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles group.
The Levante shares some
componentry with the Grand
Cherokee platform but it
will take a notably different
market position from the
Grand Wagoneer’s.
“Maserati and Jeep are two
very different brands,” said
Manley. “I have zero sleepless
nights about the launch of
their vehicle. The Levante will
play in a part of the market
that Jeep is not playing in.”
To reinforce his point about
Jeep’s future positioning,
Manley identified Land Rover
as Jeep’s main competition.
“Range Rover is a different
story [to Maserati],” he said.
“Jeep and Range Rover have
historically competed. Range
Rover is the other pure SUV
brand in the world. So they will
always be our competitors.”
JULIAN RENDELL
work toward maximising the value of our businesses to our shareholders, it is proper that we pursue separate paths for FCA and Ferrari.”
FCA currently owns 90 per cent of Ferrari, with the other 10 per cent owned by Piero Ferrari, who is the only living son of Enzo Ferrari.
A total of 10 per cent of FCA’s interest in Ferrari will be offered to public investors. The remainder will be distributed among FCA shareholders.
It’s expected that Ferrari shares will be listed in the US,
and potentially on a European exchange, next year.
John Elkann, chairman of FCA, said: “Coupled with the recent listing of FCA shares on the NYSE, the separation of Ferrari will preserve the cherished Italian heritage and unique position of the Ferrari business and allow FCA shareholders to continue to benefit from the substantial value inherent in this business.”
The value of FCA’s stock jumped more than five per cent following the announcement.
Marchionne: “It is proper we pursue separate paths”
The Levante is aimed at different buyers
Steve CropleyA Week In Cars
THIS WEEK
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 21
MONDAYFeeling exceptionally modern today, having done all four of my personal journeys by electric vehicle. First, used our long-term BMW i3 to get to work from my inner London bolt-hole (because the car’s custodian, Mr Muir, is away) and then to lunch on our BMW C Evolution scooter. My journey to work involves 11 miles of pure city driving, lots of stop-starting and lots of bumps. The things you learn to love about the i3 are its powerful, clean step-off from rest, its ultra-smooth 30-50mph cruise and its ability to provide easily modulated, power-generating retardation with no need of help from the brakes.
The scooter trip was about 25 miles return, from our offices in south-west London to the Fairoaks airfield café, further out in Surrey, to enjoy a quiet
sandwich with a mate. The C Evo is a superb machine, too, lovable for its clean power and regenerative braking, but also for the way it steers, looks and goes. Gun it, and you can’t quite believe the kick up the backside.
Every time I use these two, it strikes me how great they’d be to own together. Both are indisputably enthusiast’s machines; you’d enjoy the challenge of every mile. The only difficulty would be covering yourself for that fast, unexpected trip to Edinburgh – maybe that’s where a Ruppert-style Shed 7 would be handy. Or maybe you just hire an Insignia wagon…
TUESDAYRereading my interview notes from a Paris meeting with Maserati (and Alfa and Abarth) boss Harald Wester I was amused again by his remark
that one of the non-negotiable characteristics of any new-wave Maserati was “its Ferrari-built engine”. Times have most definitely changed. A few years ago our European editor of the time, Peter Robinson, one of the finest hacks ever to pen a Ferrari or Maserati story, was banned from Maranello for months for suggesting Ferrari’s and Maserati’s V8s were one and the same engine, despite the fact that examples of both could be seen cheek by jowl on the same assembly line. Thankfully, greater logic prevails today.
WEDNESDAYLots of tie-wearing. Two appointments at the Royal Automobile Club in London’s Pall Mall (where formal neckwear is obligatory), first to see the Dewar trophy deservedly awarded to Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains of Brixworth, Northants, for its all-conquering F1 powerplant, and then to see John Surtees’ fine autobiography, My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels (published by Evro, priced around £50), declared Motoring Book of the Year, in a new and very
welcome competition the club has decided to back annually. Veteran author Graham Robson described how it feels to have written 159 (and counting) important, accurate tomes and still be fresh for more. I’ve never written a book; made me think I should maybe give it a go.
FRIDAYShort, inspirational strop around greater Middlesex in a BMW M235i, in my book one of the very finest BMWs (make that one of the finest cars) you can buy. It’s polished, communicative, perfectly appointed and quick, yet not bogged down by the weight and pomp that, to me, seem unavoidable in so many of today’s ‘premium’ cars.
SUNDAYTo Goodwood in a Renault Clio RS to compete in the GRRC’s last AutoSolo of the year. Co-drove with my son who covered himself in glory by finishing second in class. I was a distant fourth. In effect, these events are day-long manoeuvring tests open to any road car that arrives under its own steam, fast enough for you to feel your car’s limits but slow enough to require no special licence, suit or helmet. You drive four different courses three times each, discover a lot about your ability, meet people you’d like wherever you met them, and leave happily in an un-bent car. Name me another motorsport code that can deliver you all this for a £50 entry fee…
The C Evo is superb. Gun it, and you can’t quite believe the kick up the backside
Kia readies hybrid Prius rivalKorean car maker set to go head to head with Toyota with a dedicated petrol-electric hybrid model
PININFARINA ‘458’ SELLS OUTSix examples of the Pininfarina Sergio, a dramatic barchetta concept based on the Ferrari 458 Spider, will be built. The production run is already sold out, with buyers rumoured to have paid up to £1.3 million each.
DACIA REVEALS NEW PICK-UPDacia has produced a pick-up version of the Duster for the Sao Paulo motor show. The Orach previews a production model that’s destined for South American markets, where more than 900,000 pick-ups are sold each year.
Kia will launch a hybrid-
only model to rival the
Toyota Prius “within the
next two years”. The new
model, known internally as DE,
is based on a bespoke platform
and has a new-generation
hybrid transmission with a
1.6-litre petrol engine and an
electric motor.
Few technical details have
emerged so far, but the launch
model will be a conventional
hybrid. A plug-in version with a
larger battery pack will follow.
The new car is a five-door
hatchback just over 4.3m long,
which makes it slightly more
compact than a Volkswagen
Golf and smaller than Kia’s
own Sportage model. The DE is
styled to look like a crossover
version of a compact estate
car, giving it a passing
resemblance to models such
as the Peugeot 2008.
Kia sources say the new car,
which will be sold globally, has
two roles. One is to help Kia
meet the 95g/km fleet CO2
regulations that come into
force in Europe in 2020. The
other is to take sales from the
market-dominating Prius.
Unlike hybrids such as
the Prius and Honda Insight,
the DE’s exterior styling is
quite mainstream. The most
obvious nods to aerodynamic
efficiency are apparent in
the extended, wrap-around,
spoiler on the tailgate.
The interior of the DE
benefits from Kia’s latest
styling shift, which will be
seen first in the new-
generation Optima, likely to
be revealed early next year.
Taking a line from Volkswagen,
future Kia interiors are
cleanly styled with nearly
all of the plastics finished in
matt black, giving the cabin
an impressively upmarket, if
restrained, appearance.
Kia says its own market
research has shown that
“many” Prius buyers would
like to be able to buy a
dedicated hybrid wrapped in
“less extreme” styling, even
if that meant “slightly poorer
fuel consumption”. The DE
has already been the subject
of customer research in the
UK, where it was given a “good
validation”, according to
senior Kia sources.
The sources also revealed
that the DE platform would
become “very important”
for the future of Kia, because
it addressed the twin issues
of customer downsizing and
the need for “alternative
drivetrains”. The upshot is that
the DE platform will become
the basis for a number of
future bodystyles.
HILTON HOLLOWAY
RADICAL HAS REVEALED plans to produce a new flagship sports car from next year and has also launched a new performance version of its SR3 sports car.
The track-only, 860kg SR8 RSX is available to order now, with the deliveries expected in the first quarter of next year. It’s priced at £131,940.
The new model is powered by a 3.0-litre V8 engine, which develops 440bhp at 10,500rpm and 280lb ft at 7500rpm. It’s connected to a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission.
The go-faster version of the SR3 takes the name SR3 RSX. Its Suzuki-sourced 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine generates 210bhp at 9500rpm and 124lb ft at 8200rpm.
The SR3 RSX track model can reach 60mph in 3.1sec and has a top speed of 155mph. It is on sale now, with prices starting at £80,349.
Radical reveals 440bhp V8-powered range-topper
Radical’s new flagship is the 440bhp SR8 RSX (above); the 210bhp SR3 RSX (right) is also new
Still remember his surprise.“Other people keepwaving at me.”
My mate had boughtan MG F – during the F’s earlylife, when buying one was okay– and was surprised to findother MG F drivers giving him acheery greeting as they passed.
He joined in and returnedthe waves but, I suspect, nevertotally felt comfortable with it.
These days, he drives a RangeRover Sport so is accustomedto receiving hand signals of anentirely different variety.
But the cheery ‘welcome, oneof us’ isn’t exclusive to the F.Caterham drivers, withoutexception, raise a hand above thescreen; generously, althoughperhaps less enthusiastically,even to drivers of Westfields andthe like. And a lot of classicowners will find drivers of similarmetal share a passing greeting.
Motorcyclists, too, give eachother the nod, although thereare subsets. You’ll want a big,proper bike, not a little one or
scooter; and curiously, not thatmany BMW riders oblige.
In all cases, the theme is thesame – these vehicles are leisurechoices. Cringeworthy wordapproaching: lifestyle choices.You’re like us. You’re one of aclub, only without having toreceive a newsletter and meet foran orange juice and some beardstroking on the first Thursday ofevery month at the Barley Mow.
Land Rover Defenders arestarting to fall into the samecamp. Maybe Land Roversalways have, I don’t know, but
as the Defender’s beard grows grey and the special ‘heritage’ editions are planned, a growing number are being bought by people out of want, rather than need. I suppose, although my family try to kid ourselves otherwise, we’re among them.
This is not a problem near an urban metropolis. Spot another Land Rover, and between bouts of giving their clutch legs a workout, the majority of owners will offer a raised palm.
But in the sticks, things are more difficult. Here land owners or farmers own Land Rovers because they always have. They’re at work. And if you wave, they look at you like you’re an idiot.
So you don’t get into the habit of it. And then somebody waves, and it’s too late to wave back, and you look rude.
If you’re British, this is one of those terribly awkward social situations; like finding different ways to say thanks to somebody who has held more than one door open for you. I can’t bear it.
The only sensible solution, I think, is to become so adept at spotting different types of Land Rover that you can tell one on ‘Boost’ alloy wheels with a tent in the back, from one on steel wheels with shotgun cartridges in the glovebox, at 400m. This is going to take some practice.
And if it doesn’t work, we’re going to have to sell it and buy a Ford Ranger. It’s the only sensible solution.With a Defender, it can be tricky deciding if you should wave or not
Matt PriorTester’s Notes
Between giving their clutch legs a workout, the majority of Defender owners will raise a palm
An owner of an F will generally get a wave from other MG folk
A RUGGED CROSS Country version of the Volvo V60 is to be revealed at the Los Angeles motor show later this month ahead of UK sales next May.
The V60 Cross Country’s ride height has been raised by 65mm over the V60 on which it is based. It also has
high-profile tyres, front and rear skid plates, side scuff plates, bumper extenders and lower body cladding.
A diesel-only line-up includes a base D3 unit and a new 179bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder D4 turbodiesel with either front or all-wheel drive.
V60 gets the Cross Country treatment
Kia steps up quality control
KIA, WHICH SOLD 2.7
million vehicles last year,
aims to grow its global
presence through a focus on
upmarket design and out-
running its European and
Japanese rivals on quality,
company executive vice
president Thomas Oh has
revealed to Autocar.
Speaking at Kia’s giant
Hwasung plant, south-
west of Seoul, Oh said the
firm’s new design centre
and quality control division
would be key to the brand’s
future advance.
The new design centre
is in the firm’s research
and development centre at
Namyang, on the outskirts
of Seoul. It covers 18,000
square metres and three
floors and has a 3300m2
outdoor viewing area.
The new facility is divided
into distinct studios that
cover the whole design
process. Component
suppliers will also have
their own offices at the
design centre.
The new global quality
centre (GQC) is an
independent department
at the Hwasung factory. It
is equipped with extensive
test facilities and workshops
and tests all aspects of new
vehicles, from demisting
functions to paint matching.
Longer-term quality is
also under scrutiny and cars
from rival makers are torn
down and inspected. The
GQC also tears down used
cars made by Kia and rivals.
Oh told Autocar that
Kia was now effectively
controlled by the GQC
because no car was allowed
to enter series production
without its go-ahead, a
decision that could not
be overruled by any Kia
executive. HH
O F F I C I A L P I C T U R E
24 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5 NOVEMBER 2014
Lotus is officially in recovery. The Norfolk-based sports car maker, beleaguered and unprofitable for at least five
years, is well advanced with a ‘logic-based’ revival plan that is already boosting car sales and dealer numbers and will soon yield an exciting series of design and mechanical changes designed to boost the performance, practicality and desirability of every Hethel-built model.
The plan is the brainchild of Lotus’s new CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, and contrasts heavily with the flamboyant, multi-launch ambitions of previous chief Dany Bahar, whose plans brought Lotus close to disaster. Gales, a Lotus enthusiast since childhood and a former chief of Peugeot-Citroën, is depending on his big-company experience to move Colin Chapman’s unique business on to new, more secure foundations.
Lotus was last in the news with an announcement of 300 redundancies from a workforce of 1200, but Gales believes that following this “very regrettable” event, the company is now correctly configured for recovery.
“When I arrived six months ago we had 1200 people making 1200 cars a year,” says Gales. “We could not have survived like that. Now we are 900 people, and this year we will
make around 2000 cars. Next year the figure should be 3000 cars, then 3000 for several more years. This will change the equation completely.”
Ultimately, Gales believes Lotus is capable of volumes close to 10,000 cars a year if it takes lessons from other specialist car makers, notably Porsche, and moves to building four-door models — still at Hethel — for a completely new sector. He won’t yet discuss specifics (“let’s make a success of our first stage”), but Lotus could, for example, use a Proton body to produce an own-design SUV predominantly for sale in south-east Asia, where demand is greatest. Gales worked in Volkswagen’s top management when legendary group chief Ferdinand Piech realised that for a relatively low investment Porsche could produce a performance SUV — the Cayenne — from the major components of the VW Touareg.
At present, such things are dreams, and Gales insists any exciting future at Lotus depends on improving the existing cars and business. The company has just announced a six-speed automatic version of its Exige S that is certain to be popular in Asia and has a revised version of the Elise called S-Cup waiting in the wings. In order to sell these
new cars, the dealer count will have swollen from 145 to 205 by the end of next year.
“We won’t have the funds to build all-new cars in the next few years,” says Gales. “In any case our existing platforms have plenty of potential.”
At the Geneva motor show next March, Lotus will have a heavily revised version of the Evora featuring changes inside and out, about 15 per cent more power and less weight. Gales, who regularly spends late evenings driving Lotus products with considerable verve on the “fantastic” roads around Norwich, reckons the 2015 Evora will beat competitive Porsches for performance — and that’s before he launches a lightweight Cup range, shorn of more weight and perhaps with a further small power
upgrade. Extra power and less weight are also on the agenda for the Exige in 2016, and so is a “surprise”, a model designed to continue what the super-lightweight 2-Eleven track day special began.
Further projects could include a lightweight, high-riding crossover sports car based on an existing model (this one probably dependent on the reactions from Lotus customers in focus groups), but Gales has little time for the Esprit supercar proposals previous company bosses have deemed important. A more powerful Evora will be quicker and more agile than any old-style normally aspirated supercar, he believes.
Gales’s twin themes of simplification and lightness shine out of everything he proposes. They have always
been at the core of the Lotus philosophy, he says, yet the ideas are still very modern. “Every car company today wants to reduce weight,” he says, “but we have always done it, so we know how.”
To aid this drive towards efficiency, Gales has set up a so-called Lightweight Lab, a large room in which all the components of a disassembled Elise, Exige and Evora are laid out on trestles. The weight and cost of every piece are labelled, and in recent days no fewer than 800 staff have toured the room, suggesting an amazing 1140 ideas for reducing those figures. It’s not yet clear how much weight can be saved per car, but 50kg seems well within reach, while cost reductions are believed to be running at about 10 per cent per car.
For all the progress, Gales believes his work has hardly started. He wants to play the long game, to get the company to a point where it can make all-new models. “This brand is like a sleeping princess,” he says, “but I believe she is starting to wake up.”
Just add lightness (and maybe an SUV)New Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales can see a bright future for the recovering Hethel-based maker of lightweight sports cars — and it could even include a crossover. Steve Cropley finds out more
‘Every car company wants to reduce weight. We know how it’s done’
SPOTLIGHT
Simplification and lightness remain key to Gales’s plans for Lotus
THIS WEEK
Marcus Ericsson willbring TetraPak funding
to Sauber for 2015
Alonso’s future seemscertain to be at McLaren
THIS WEEK
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 27
As Formula 1 descendsinto a mess following thedisappearance of two ofthe backmarker teams,
those remaining are gettingtheir deals done for next tyear.Over the weekend in Texas,Sauber signed Marcus Ericsson,who was previously racing forCaterham, which may or maynot return in Abu Dhabi at theend of the month.
Ericsson landed the Sauberdrive thanks to massivefunding from the Rausingfamily, owners of the TetraPakempire. It is believed that the
deal included a $10 millionsigning payment for the team,which means that its financialsituation has dramaticallyimproved. The team wasplanning to sign Jules Bianchi,thus bringing assistance fromFerrari in the form of a cheapengine, but the Frenchman’saccident in Japan meant thatthis could not happen.
Ferrari was also affectedby Bianchi’s crash. The planhad been to move Bianchito Sauber in preparation forhim to become SebastianVettel’s Ferrari team-mate in
2016, when Kimi Räikkönen’scontract with the team ends.The latest suggestion is thatRaffaele Marciello will nowtake Bianchi’s place with amove to Marussia next year, ifthe team survives. Marciellohas shown well this year in GP2,and while a second year in theseries might be helpful, he isprobably ready for F1.
Räikkönen is talking abouthis future post-Ferrari. He sayshe’d like to go back to Nascar,which he tried in 2011 beforegoing off to rallying for a while.
Ferrari’s aim with the youngdriver programme is to reduceits costs by creating stars,rather than having to buy themwhen they are famous (andexpensive). Fernando Alonso’sfuture seems increasingly likely
to be at McLaren, with the latest hint coming amid rumours that the team has done a deal with Movistar, the Spanish mobile phone company with operations in Spain and many Latin American countries. If this proves to be the case, it is safe to assume that McLaren and Fernando Alonso have agreed terms for the future, although no one is saying anything yet.
There’s also speculation about Jenson Button’s future, rumours suggesting that he will join Porsche in the World Endurance Championship.
While all the fights over money are worrying, these will be sorted out, because there is simply too much money involved to destroy the sport. If CVC Capital Partners feels
it is necessary to dump Bernie Ecclestone, it’s becoming clear that they will do that, although Bernie appears to be working towards buying the sport back from CVC. The latter does not care about F1 and simply wants to make money, so it must decide whether to lower its price tag and get out quickly, or negotiate a longer-term deal that would continue to provide profits but on a slightly lower scale than has been the case.
CVC has suffered serious image damage as a result of its F1 involvement, and while profit remains the key driver in the decision making, it might be a good idea to stay on and help build the sport up, rather than running off with the swag and leaving it in a mess.
CHINA WEC WIN FOR TOYOTA Toyota extended its lead in the World Endurance Championship with victory in Shanghai on Sunday. Sébastien Buemi and Anthony Davidson won in their hybrid ahead of the sister car of Alex Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Kazuki Nakajima.
LEWIS IS F1’S BEST BRITLewis Hamilton’s win in the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, makes him the most successful British driver in terms of wins. The series leader now has 32 F1 victories, one more than 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell.
Grid Gossip
Ferrari aims to create stars rather than buy them
This week’s new cars
FIRST DRIVES
28 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5 NOVEMBER 2014
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi30.10.14, Korea New family-sized SUV has a more upmarket interior and a well judged chassis
THIS, THE THIRD generation of Kia’s big Sorento SUV, is set to arrive in the UK early next year with a 2.2-litre diesel engine, all-wheel drive and seating for seven.
The Mk3 Sorento is all new with a stiffer body shell, updated running gear and transmission, and a completely fresh interior. The car is 95mm longer than the outgoing model at 4.78m in length. It is also 5mm wider and 15mm lower.
Kia says that even though the roof height has fallen, lower seat cushions than before mean there is more headroom for all three rows of passengers. At the same time, legroom has increased. With the third row of seats folded, boot capacity has increased from a useful 515 litres to a significant 615 litres.
As much as 53 per cent of the car’s structure is made up of ultra-high-strength steels (compared with 24 per cent on the outgoing model), which helps to make the new body shell 14 per cent stiffer than before.
In parallel, there’s been a concerted effort to improve refinement with tweaks including 30 per cent thicker dashboard soundproofing and larger engine and transmission mounts.
The 2.2-litre engine (set to be the only one sold in the UK) has seen power edge up from 194bhp to 197bhp. Torque is also up slightly.
Under the skin, the Sorento rolls on the same MacPherson strut front and independent rear suspension as before, while bigger rear subframe bushes and vertically mounted shock absorbers are designed to improve body control.
This is a big and roomy vehicle that makes an immediate case for itself SO GOOD
NO GOOD
TESTER’S NOTE
Q�Vast, practical cabinQ�Fit, finish and refinementQ�Impressive dynamics
Q�Some bump-thump apparentQ�Occasional wheel shudderQ�Possible rear body rigidity issues
The ride height has been dropped
by 20mm and the driver’s hip-
point is 38mm lower, making
getting in and out much easier for
a wider range of drivers. HH
FIRST VERDICTA spacious, comfortable, capable
and well engineered family SUV
AAAAC
Classy interior feels more spacious thanks to lower seats that boost headroom
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 29
QUICK FACTSPRICE £28,000 (EST)ON SALE APRIL 2015
It’s a big car but a stiffer body, more positive steering and a well damped ride mean the Sorento is surprisingly enjoyable to drive
Cabin trim and controls look close to VW Group products in terms of quality and likely to be equally as durable after years of use
in terms of sheer space and interior flexibility. The boot is huge in five-seat form and space in the third-row seats is impressive. With the second row of seats folded, the (flat) loadbay really is vast.
The new-generation Sorento showcases Kia’s efforts in improvinginterior quality. The cabin is not too
MA
NU
FAC
TU
RE
R’S
CL
AIM
ED
FIG
UR
ES
Price £28,000 (est)
0-62mph 9.6sec
Top speed 114mph
Economy 41.5mpg (combined)
CO2 178g/km
Kerb weight 1849kg
Engine type 4cyls, 2199cc, turbodiesel
Power 197bhp at 3800rpm
Torque 325lb ft at 1750-2750rpm
Gearbox 6-spd automatic
KIA SORENTO 2.2CRDI AUTO 7-SEATER
many notches below the perceived quality of the latest Volkswagens (especially in the flat-black finish used on much of the plastics) while in reality being likely to match that brand over time. The upmarket and leather-trimmed version we drove in Korea had particularly good front seats with headrests that sat right up against the driver’s head.
Kia’s engineers have done a good job of refining the diesel engine which, even at lower speeds and wide throttle openings, remains decently subdued. At high speeds it is pretty hushed and the six-speed auto manages to meld well with the turbodiesel, something that’s not always guaranteed with this drivetrain combination.
On the road, the Sorento has an impressive ride. Seemingly a combination of slightly softer springs and more aggressive damping control, the revised set-up worked well on the undulating roads of Korea’s Jeju Island. The restrained
body roll and positive steering feel (the electric assistance motor is now on the steering rack, not the column) in long bends were welcome.
If the driver is prepared to make sensible use of the motor’s urge, the Sorento can be hustled along with unexpected competence. Some town-speed bump-thump and shudders from the rear wheels were probably down to a lack of rigidity in the rear of the body thanks to the vast rear cabin and panoramic sunroof.
The Sorento’s size, utility and all-weather versatility mark it out as a genuine upmarket family hauler. It’s also the first new model overseen by Kia’s all-powerful and independent quality control division.
It is, by a margin, the most well developed Kia yet, knocking on VW’s door and offering a significant discount over premium-badge rivals such as Land Rover’s new Discovery Sport. You might even see it as a budget Volvo XC90. HILTON HOLLOWAYRefined diesel only engine bound for UK
30 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5 NOVEMBER 2014
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint 28.10.14, Balocco Recently refreshed Giulietta receives a Sprint model with a newly tuned engine
IDEALLY, ALFA ROMEO would be celebrating the 60th anniversary of its1954 Giulietta range with something more than a light rework of today’s Giulietta hatchback. This famous brand has been withering in the face of several abandoned revival plans. But there’s cause for some optimism. Sergio Marchionne, boss of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which owns Alfa, has revealed his third plan for this marque. Alfa’s rejuvenation is seen as vital to FCA’s European revival and it should properly start next summer with the reveal of the 159-replacing Giulia saloon.
In the meantime, we have this new Giulietta Sprint. It’s a nod to the 1954 launch of the coupé of the same namethat was the first of a whole family of Giuliettas that transformed Alfa from a small-scale, high-end specialist to what today we’d call a premium manufacturer. The new Sprint is vastly less significant than the first but it does feature a new (ish) engine.
The Sprint gets a 148bhp version Real-world performance is respectable because the 148bhp engine rarely lacks pull
of the 1.4 turbo MultiAir, here in its first application. It means that there are now Giulietta petrol engines of 118bhp, 148bhp, 168bhp and 237bhp. And as with the best Alfas, this engine is a bit of a gem. It’s smooth, likes to rev, is fairly lively and issues a subtle background rort that’s genuinely redolent of Giuliettas past. It doesn’t rev that high – 6500rpm is the faintly strained limit – and there’s a distinct
power step at 2200rpm when the turbo pulls harder but it is rarely short of urge. Couple this to a decently accurate gearchange, and you have a civilised powertrain that encourages you to make good use of it.
The suspension is quietly impressive, too. The car rides with commotion-free suppleness, only the occasional sharp-edged bump causing a muffled clunk. And this was
SO GOOD
NO GOOD
TESTER’S NOTE
Q�Smooth, eager engineQ�Tidy, enjoyable handlingQ�Good ride and refinement
Q�Bitty dashboard designQ�Cabin material quality falls shortQ�Steering needs more feel
This is the second time that Alfa
has used the ‘Sprint’ name for a
hatch rather than a coupé, the Mito
being the other. RB
FIRST VERDICTSweet 148bhp MultiAir creates the
best Giulietta, complementing its
tidy handling, ride and refinement
AAABC
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 31
QUICK FACTSPRICE £20,490ON SALE NOVEMBER
The Sprint model gains Alcantara on its seating, a sports steering wheel and carbonfibre-look trim in an odd soft-feel material
The suspension remains the same as that of other Giuliettas, so the car handles tidily and competently and rides pliantly
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Price £20,490
0-62mph 8.2sec
Top speed 130mph
Economy 49.6mpg (combined)
CO2 131g/km
Kerb weight 1290kg
Engine 4 cyls, 1368cc,
turbocharged, petrol
Power 148bhp at 5500rpm
Torque 184lb ft at 2500rpm
Gearbox 6-spd manual
ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SPRINT 1.4 MULTIAIR
on the optional 18-inch rims rather than the standard 17s. The chassis also delivers keen turn-in, plenty of grip and good on-limit behaviour. The combination of the finely tuned ESP and a standard-fit, J2 Torsen diff tighten the car’s line through hard-charged, tight twists without intrusive interventions. It’s far from a riot, but it’s satisfyingly capable.
The steering is less fulfilling. It’s too heavy when the Alfa’s DNA switch
is shifted to Dynamic, although that mode usefully enlivens the throttle, but because the modes aren’t individually configurable, you can’t have what Alfa calls Natural steering without a dulled accelerator.
Otherwise, the Sprint is as the freshened Giulietta bar detail changes for this model. They include anthracite door mirrors and door handles, some rather sexy alloy wheels, a diffuser-equipped rear bumper, sill extensions,
privacy glass and some badging. Inside, there’s faux carbonfibre trim, seats in Alcantara and black fabric and a sports steering wheel.
Not much visual difference, then, but the new 148bhp engine is a more than worthwhile addition, making the competitively priced Sprint the best choice in a Giulietta range that isn’t quite up with the class best but merits serious thought.RICHARD BREMNER
And breathe…UNLIKE IN THE days of the original Giulietta Sprint, fresh
engine tunes today are done not so much mechanically
as they are by remapping the engine’s electronics, in this
case to detune the 168bhp 1368cc turbo engine by 20bhp.
Nevertheless, the MultiAir engine remains intriguing for
its breathing. Its inlet valves are electronically rather than
mechanically controlled, which allows for the deletion of a
conventional throttle system. It produces 10 per cent more
power, 15 per cent more torque, 10 per cent less CO2, 40 per
cent fewer particulates and 60 per cent less NOx than an
otherwise identical engine without MultiAir.
FIRST DRIVE
FIRST DRIVE
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 33
SO GOOD
NO GOOD
TESTER’S NOTE
QGratifyingly powerful engineQSlick-shifting gearboxQAll-weather capabilitiesQHigh-quality fit and finish
Q Firm ride and lifeless steeringQ Intrusive road noise
A 73-litre fuel tank means a
potential range of 740 miles — if
you can achieve the claimed
economy figures. LK
FIRST VERDICTSleek A7 gets a refresh and
remains appealing but it’s
beginning to lag behind a little
AAACC
A7’s upmarket ambience is aided by stylish and efficient fascia but low roof impinges on headroom while big wheels spoil the ride
AUDI’S A7 SPORTBACK caused quite a stir when it was launched back in 2010. The company, looking to fill the next available niche, took its A5 Sportback and scaled it up slightly. The end result was a large, four-seat, five-door hatch with sleek styling. Suffice to say it proved appealing to many, offering coupé-like looks with luxury refinement, moderate interior space and a premium badge.
That was all some time ago, however, and the competition has moved on, evolved or – in the case of Tesla, for example – appeared from new and unexpected directions. So in order to keep the A7 in contention, Audi has granted it a mid-life facelift.
On the cosmetic front, the changes include the adoption of new lights, Audi’s latest single-frame grille, different tailpipes and upgraded interior trims. There have also been improvements to the kit count, with the likes of LED headlights and quad-zone climate control now standard.
We tested a high-specification
Black Edition with the 316bhp 3.0-litre BiTDI diesel engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro system. It’s a familiar and effective combination. The diesel engine churns out impressive torque for swift acceleration, the gearbox transitions from one ratio to another without effort and the four-wheel drive system provides excellent traction. Claimed combined economyis 46.3mpg, which is good for a four-seat Audi weighing 1970kg that’s capable of 0-62mph in 5.2sec.
The A7 remains true to type on the dynamic front. It corners well, although it does feel quite nose heavy,and the steering is precise but lackingin feel. Partly due to the car’s large, 21-inch wheels the ride is also overly firm and quite crashy, even with the optional air suspension package, although body roll is minimal.
Ultimately it’s the engine that’s the most characterful and engaging part, thanks to its urgent, torque-laden nature and its baritone exhaust note.
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Price £58,925
0-62mph 5.2sec
Top speed 155mph (limited)
Economy 46.3mpg (combined)
CO2 162g/km
Kerb weight 1970kg
Engine 6 cyls, 2967cc, twin-
turbocharged diesel
Power 316bhp at 3900-4600rpm
Torque 479lb ft at 1400-2800rpm
Gearbox 8-spd automatic
AUDI A7 SPORTBACK 3.0 BITDI QUATTRO BLACK EDITION TIPTRONIC
Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 BiTDI quattro30.10.14, Surrey Mid-life refresh brings cosmetic updates and more standard equipment
QUICK FACTSPRICE £58,925ON SALE NOW
There’s room for four adults, although those in the rear will feel hemmed in by the low roofline. There is a lot of road noise, too, which spoils the otherwise pleasant ambience.
Standard kit on Black Editions is good and comprises a Bose surround-sound system, ‘Matrix’ LED headlights, heated electric seats, sat-nav, a DAB radio, cruise control and parking sensors.
All in all, this Audi is a handsome and capable car, although the BiTDI diesel will likely remain a niche choice, especially when the cheaper diesel options in the range are more efficient yet still perform well. We’d opt for smaller wheels, too.
Alternatively, you could have a similarly performing but dramatically more modern feeling Tesla Model S 85 for £57,300. Five years ago electric cars weren’t even on the radar in this class but these days I’d have to think long and hard about the all-electric option. LEWIS KINGSTON
FIRST DRIVE
5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 35
SO GOOD
NO GOOD
TESTER’S NOTE
QRipping performanceQGood handling and ride balanceQRoof-down aerodynamics
QDynamics slightly diminishedQSteering ocasionally numbQRoof sometimes creaks
In Sport mode, the exhaust is loud
enough to make a separate volume
control desirable. RB
FIRST VERDICTThough its dynamics have been
blunted, removing the M4’s roof
opens up a new world of sensations
AAAAC
Good wind management aids front cabin comfort while strong performance and impressive damping enhance driving pleasure
THERE ARE TWO major advantages to having a roofless BMW M4. One is the obvious fact that you can be much closer to the process of achieving motion, the rush of scenery being that much more apparent when there’s only a windscreen over your head. The other is that you can hear the magnificent, controlled cacophony of the straight six turbo’s exhalations via a tuneful quartet of pipes.
Do not underestimate their appeal. The pulsing growl does plenty to goad you into the bounding pace of which this car is capable. It revs to a heady 7600rpm but it’s a crank speed you’ll rarely see unless you have plenty of space, as the thick spread of torque, kicking in from 1850rpm, and the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox ensure impressive pace without working the engine hard.
Of course, removing the top of a coupé that is all about performance and direction-changing dynamism is not ideal, what with the sacrifice in
torsional rigidity, the compensatory gain in weight and the fact that 70kg motors towards the rear axle when you open the roof.
The M4 suffers less for this reworking than the lesser 4-series convertibles whose handling is more noticeably disturbed by the shift in weight. Much more apparent is this car’s essential character, which is of a civilised muscle car.
It has plenty of grip but give it a fat bootful and the rear tyres will slide, especially in the damp, while its generally meaty feel robs it of some of the delicacy of earlier M3s. As our Britain’s Best Driver’s Car feature recently revealed, on a track the M4’s habit of tipping into oversteer a little too readily tends to trip up its fluency.
On the road, however, you’ll need deserted asphalt or a greasy sequenceof hairpins to discover this. But when you do, your corrective efforts will be aided by quick-acting and accurate steering, although it can feel foggy
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Price £63,375
0-62mph 4.4sec
Top speed 155mph (limited)
Economy 32.5mpg (combined)
CO2 203g/km
Kerb weight 1790kg
Engine 6 cyls, 2979cc,
turbocharged, petrol
Power 425bhp at 5500-7300rpm
Torque 406lb ft at 1850-5500rpm
Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch automatic
BMW M4 CONVERTIBLE M DCT
BMW M4 convertible16.10.14, Cotswolds The M4 acquires a folding a roof and a delicious new soundtrack
QUICK FACTSPRICE £63,375ON SALE NOW
around the straight-ahead. Nor does it tell you much about the shape of the road below. The brakes, on the other hand, are impeccable.
On a more practical but equally vital note, with the wind-stop in place the management of air around the cockpit is excellent for those up front. Even at 140mph (on an autobahn) it’s easily possible to hold a conversation.
Also better than average is the rear-seat package. The backrest is less upright than it is in others of this breed, and there’s just enough width. It is, however, rather breezier.
Impressive too is the M4’s ride quality on British roads. The dampers deliver some suppleness even in Sport mode and enough in Comfort that you’re rarely aware this is a high-performance machine.
It’s not the sharpest tool in the high-performance drawer, and that’s a shame given this model’s heritage, but you couldn’t call it unexciting.RICHARD BREMNER
Comparison | Audi TT vs BMW M235i
BEAUTY AND THE BEST
The new Audi TT doesn’t have the ability to beat the BMW M235i but it still has plenty
going for it. Steve Sutcliffe reportsPHOTOGRAPHY LUC LACEY
So let’s get one thing clear about this comparison before we go a single yard further. The Audi TT that we are testing here is not, and never will be, a direct dynamic rival for the faster, more powerful and more expensive BMW M235i.
Anyone so much as considering a TT in place of an M235i would, surely, never go for the 227bhp, £31,635 version of the car you see here. Instead, they would much more likely opt for the new 306bhp TT S model that we drove and were so impressed by earlier this year, were they thinking about spending £34,250 on a 321bhp M235i.
But here’s the thing: the most potent S version of the TT won’t be available until the spring of next year at the earliest. So given that the new TT is now upon us in the UK, with a slightly higher than expected price (the test car that you see here actually costs £36,150 including all of its various options) we sat back for a moment and wondered: why don’t we just shine a light into its eyes and see how good the new TT really is? Why not give it both barrels right from the word go, in other words, and find out how it gets on?
Our justification for such thinking went something like this: if the new TT can get anywhere close to the excellent M235i with a mere 227bhp and costing £2615 less, then it will be more than good enough to succeed no matter what kind of engine it is powered by, and not only commercially but also, this time round, dynamically, too . And if not, well, it will be business as usual for the new TT.
To put it another way, when push comes to shove, the engine output and price inequality shouldn’t matter that much, because if the latest TT can cut it where it counts, then there’s no risk of it being trounced by the M235i. But if it can’t, then it will get hammered by the BMW, plain and simple. In which case the Audi’s reputation for being little more than a fashion statement on wheels will not have altered one little bit.
Before we come to any conclusions, however, we need to run through some of the technical details and do a bit more number crunching in order to clarify where both of our particular test cars are coming from.
The Audi is the all-new car, of course, and in
this case it comes in S-line trim – which lowers the ride height by 10mm – and boasts 227bhp and a more fulsome 273lb ft from its familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Thanks to more extensive use of aluminium this time round, it weighs a mere 1305kg, emits just 137g/km of CO2 and is capable of reaching 62mph from rest in 6.0sec dead. So even though it wants for outright muscle alongside the BMW, the TT is clearly no slouch, neither against the stopwatch nor, as we’ll see shortly, when trying to keep up with the M235i across a deserted ribbon of Scottish B-road.
The test car also rides on optional 19-inch wheels –£450, please – and has various other extras fitted that raise its price above that of the BMW in its basic form (£36,150 versus £34,260, remember) assuming that they both come with the standard-issue six-speed manual gearbox. In this case, the BMW is fitted with the optional eight-speed auto but, even so, its price still remains beneath that of the options-heavy Audi, at £35,900. That’s another reason why we felt that this comparison was valid – because, in simple terms, the BMW just seems to represent far better value than the new TT.
THERE IS A LIGHTNESS OF TOUCH TO THE TT, A DELICACY TO ITS RESPONSE
Audi TT vs BMW M235i | Comparison
How so? Because thumping away beneath its bonnet, the M235i also happens to have a turbocharged straight six engine that produces 321bhp, with 332lb ft appearing between 1300rpm and 4500rpm. So despite the M235i weighing a considerable 225kg more than the featherweight Audi, it still murders its rival in a straight line. BMW’s quoted 0-62mph time is 4.8sec for the automatic version (5.0sec for the manual) and we’ve already figured the car at not a lot more than 10sec to 100mph. In reality, we are talking about a fair old chasm between them in terms of pure, straight-line performance.
And that’s before you consider the fact that the BMW is rear-wheel drive, whereas this particular TT is not four-wheel drive but merely front-wheel drive. There is also no clever differential to help the Audi make its prodigious torque stick. So dynamically, it seems, the TT wanders into battle in this case with at least a couple fingers tied behind its back.
Or does it? Because there are two more fairly major factors that need to be considered whencomparing these two cars, neither of whichappears on any spec sheet, and they both ◊
The Audi has the more adventurous and stylish interior design
The BMW’s cabin has a more traditional look; driving position is good
Δ centre on the extra sense of style and expense that the TT seems to carry with it, inside and out.
For although its styling may be familiar to the point of mild disappointment, the new TT still looks by far the more arresting and interesting of the two in the metal. Its detailing is full of surpriseand delight, none more so than the rear indicator lights, which bleed their orange light gracefully towards the outside of the car as they flash.
Inside, too, the new TT looks and feels if not a million dollars then at least a good deal more expensive than the BMW, which is perfectly good to sit in but nowhere near as sophisticated visually.The view forward in the TT is also cleaner, and yousit lower behind its hard, thick-rimmed leather
wheel. It feels more overtly sporting to be in as a result, whereas the BMW gives the impression of being more conventional, less exciting and a little bit more ordinary.
And the moment you press the TT’s starter button and its new TFT instrument screen comes to life, right before your eyes, the sense of being inside an intrinsically newer and more interesting car goes up a notch again.
Some will no doubt find the TT’s digitised and multi-adjustable instrument display a vulgar and counter-intuitive aside to the main event. These will almost certainly be the sort of people who prefer the BMW’s more traditional analogue instruments, featuring an identically sized speedo and rev counter and so on. But the new TT has not been designed to suit such people, and that’s fine. The most interesting thing to observe is just how different these two cars look and feel when you sit behind their leather-lined steering wheels.
On the move, the new TT is far less radical in its intentions. Audi has striven to remove as much weight as possible from the car, and you notice that from the moment it starts to move. There is a lightness of touch here, a delicacy to its response, that has been almost entirely absent until now. Which is good news number one for TT fans.
Number two is that Audi’s engineers have also made the strut and multi-link suspension feel as smooth but also as sharp as possible on the move, and the same goes for the new electro-mechanically assisted steering, which is again light but supremely accurate and precise, even if it doesn’t exactly ripple with feel.
The Audi is decently rapid, even with a mere227bhp to call upon. Not to the point where you ◊
EVEN WITH A MERE 227BHP TO CALL UPON THE AUDI TT IS DECENTLY RAPID, TOO
Many will find the TT’s design more appealing than the M235i’s
Δ could ever call it properly, seriously fast, but there’s enough energy beneath your right foot to make any cross-country journey a lot more than just mildly interesting. Despite its apparent lack of power and its theoretical absence of traction, the TT can easily keep up with the M235i in most circumstances, unless a complete madman is at the wheel of the BMW.
Even if the M235i is in the hands of an unhinged driver, the TT is far less likely to be the one that engages with the undergrowth during a back-to-back blast across the sort of soaking wet roads that we found in Scotland. This is because, although the new TT feels more alert, perkier and more incisive in everything that it does on the move, its core behaviour retains the same fundamental sense of security that has always been there.
There are, however, at least three issues, which are brought into sharper focus still beside the BMW. One, despite its suspension having been tuned to be more complete this time around, the TT’s ride still isn’t great, at least not compared to the BMW’s. There is a calmness to the BMW’s damping, at both high and low speeds, that simply isn’t there in the TT. On really poor surfaces, the Audi can still feel pretty neurotic by comparison.
Two, the TT’s outright braking power might be excellent, as ever, but the feel and weighting of its brake pedal is once again too flaky and, more to the point, too light. It’s still far too easy to stand the nose into the floor during light applications, even if there is better feel and weight to the pedal when you really lean on it. Again, the BMW shows the Audi the way home here, with much better brake feel and much better weighting of its controls right across the board, from its power steering to its throttle to its brakes.
Three, there is the constantly nagging issue of their respective engines – the way they sound, the way they go and the way they respond to a good old-fashioned wallop of throttle. Yes, I know there’s a power and price difference – although, as we’ve shown, the price gap is narrower than it appears – but the fact is that when you jump from the BMW to the Audi, the first thing you notice on the move is the noise that it doesn’t make. And the acceleration that it doesn’t have. And the performance that it quite clearly lacks beside the rocket-sled that is the M235i.
The BMW not only sounds eight times more
Despite less power, the TT keeps the M235i honest on most roads
The TT has a 2.0 turbo four-pot that generates 227bhp
A 3.0 turbo straight six endows the M235i with 321bhp
delicious than the TT, but it also goes a good twotimes harder subjectively. It’s not twice as quick,of course, but the thing about having 332lb ftavailable from just 1300rpm is that it makes theBMW feel quicker than it actually is, whereas,conversely, the TT is quicker than it actually feels.The Audi is also quicker than it sounds, and inthe ‘how exciting are they to drive?’ stakes, suchsubjective things matter more than they should.
Elsewhere, the BMW edges it in places and theAudi nudges back in others. The M235i has by far
the better rear seats. The TT’s are for nippers and extra luggage only whereas full-grown adults can just about squeeze into the back of the BMW. The two boots are of a similar size on paper but, again, you can get more stuff into the better-shaped boot of the BMW. But then the Audi is a good 5mpg more economical in the real world, is cleaner, and costs less to run as a company car.
In the end, the BMW can’t help but win because it is, without question, the more exciting of the two to drive. It’s faster, sounds nicer, steers, rides and handles with more panache, and has more room in it. For £36k, it remains one of the very best-value, genuine high-performance cars on sale right now.
But the TT is far from disgraced by it overall, which is very much to its credit in this instance. Fact is we sent the new TT into battle carrying less firepower, a smaller price and with a reputation for dynamic brilliance that was far from proven, and it has emerged on the other side still standing against one of our most revered driver’s cars. Still with its head held high, in fact.
So although the BMW wins, and wins easily, in a sense the new TT does, too. Now all it needs to do is square up to the Porsche Cayman and not get mortally injured and the picture will be complete. But that’s another story for another day. L
THE AUDI TTCAN EASILYKEEP UP WITHTHE BMW M235i IN MOST SITUATIONS
The BMW is the more rewarding car for an enthusiastic driver
Just call mMaserati has bold plans to expand its line-up and boost sales.Its boss, Harald Wester, tells Steve Cropley how it will happenPHOTOGRAPHY LUC LACEY
m
me MaserA
t the very top of an official Maserati document that explains how and why the company aims to lift its sales fivefold to 75,000 units by 2018, there’s a
bold new strapline that shows how this rejuvenated Italian marque believes it should be regarded. Maserati, it claims, is “the absolute opposite of ordinary”.
As we sit in his bare office, surrounded by the hubbub of the Paris motor show, it occurs to me that this description could just as easily be applied to the company’s boss of the past six years, Harald Wester, as to the six-model Maserati range that he
is constructing – because this softly spoken engineer breaks most of the rules that make a typical Italian car industry boss.
Wester is German, not Italian. He is a qualified engineer, and a lifelong lover of fine engineering, who cut his teeth working on some of Volkswagen’s key conceptual projects, well away from the Golf-Polo-Passat mainstream. In his early 40s, he changed companies and countries to spend all but two of the subsequent 15 years helping to make better Fiat Group cars in every niche and price, rapidly climbing the greasy management pole in the process.
Δ managers, Wester has retained the respect and support of Sergio Marchionne, the mercurial chief of the Fiat-Chrysler group (or FCA, as it is now known) who is well known for quick and ruthless management changes if the mood takes him. Wester’s steadiness and dependable car making skills in such a tough environment have rapidly increased his influence: since the Maserati appointment in August 2008, he has taken the reins at both Abarth (2009) and Alfa Romeo (2010). This, he says, is enough to be going on with.
At Maserati, Wester can now cite impressive successes. It may only be a small contribution to FCA’s hoped-for sales jump from 4.4 million to 7m sales by 2018 – sixth position in world manufacturing terms – but Maserati’s projected volume of 35,000 this year will more than double last year’s already increased tally. Volume is looking
good for 50,000 units next year, after which the planned SUV, the Levante, will hit showrooms at a volume tipped to exceed 25,000 units. Given all this, the 75,000 target is looking relatively safe, in Fiat terms at least.
Not that Wester would think of making such boasts. He is a compact man of 56, with a friendly face, amused eyes, a well-developed sense of humour and a fine line in quick ripostes. He relies on his listeners’ perception of an intelligent approach to earn their respect, rather than a loud voice and a lot of bombast. If his reputation among his peers is any guide, it works very well. “Harald is a very clever bloke,” says one European contemporary. “He knows how to build good cars quickly but, most of all, he stays calm and clear-headed when the explosions are going off. That’s amajor asset these days.”
Although I suspect that Wester ◊
Wester is currently the head of Maserati, Abarth and Alfa Romeo
Δ wouldn’t disagree with the last part of that assessment, when I ask him to spell out the future relationship between Maserati and Alfa Romeo – previously presumed to be very close – he defines the need for clear thinking much more formally for my notebook. “It’s vital to have the best possible idea of what your brands stand for,” he says, “and about their positioning and price structure relative to one another. There should not be much overlap – you don’t want everyone doing a little bit of everything.”
Here I look for a grin or twitch that implies a criticism of the VW Group, where at least four marques seem to do ‘a little bit of everything’. There is none. Wester has made it clear in previous meetings that he retains great respect for the company that provided his formative skills. Nevertheless, at Maserati-Alfa-Abarth, he will do things differently.
Which is why the five-tier, six-strong model range that he is constructing at Maserati will use architecture not to be shared
by any other brand, and why Alfa Romeo, which once looked certain to use powertrain components donated by Maserati, now will not. Instead, Maserati will emphasise its upmarket position by using own-tune versions of turbocharged V6 and V8 engines made in Maranello by Ferrari. As Wester proudly points out, the engines are the work of Paolo Martinelli, previously in charge of Ferrari’s F1 engine design.
Just outside our office, the Alfieri concept car is drawing eyes by the thousand. It is named for the most creative of the company’s five founders. (“Maserati began with five brothers”, says the company blurb, “four mechanics and an artist.”) In Paris, it is still officially a styling model, but this is the second time that it has been shown. The first time, at Geneva last March, it won great critical acclaim and the nod and wink from Maserati people says that this is how production cars will look.
With the debut of the Alfieri, the proposed six-model range to be completed by 2018 will be ◊
Δ half complete. The big refresh began last year with the latest Quattroporte, which moved the luxury four-door closer to the premium mainstream and introduced the all-new architecture and running gear to be used by successive models. Next came the Ghibli, a bidder for Mercedes-Benz E-class and BMW 5-series customers (and the first Maser in 100 years to feature a diesel engine). You can still buy a Granturismo and Grancabrio, which will be the last of the line to be replaced.
Next of the new cars will be the Levante SUV. It will utilise Ghibli underpinnings and doubtless pioneer the permanent 4x4 system that Maserati intends eventually to offer in all its models bar the most expensive coupé, due in 2018.
After the Levante will come the Alfieri, probably at the end of 2016, built on a short-wheelbase iteration of the familiar architecture. The coupé will be followed by a cabrio six to 12 months later. Proposed as 2+2s, these cars will compete for the market in which the Jaguar F-type has been so successful.
The Granturismo’s replacement will complete the six-model range in time for the 2018 model year. It will be available in rear-wheel drive only and be powered by a 560bhp-plus version of the Ferrari twin-turbo V8. As things stand, there will be no drop-top. Maserati’s experience has been that demand for £100,000-plus convertibles is far lower than in the category below, which is where it will concentrate its fire.
Wester talks a lot in our 45 minutes together about “the purity of the Maserati brand” and believes that he is well on the way to achieving it. He cites the important components as the Ferrari-derived powertrains (which will incorporate eight-speed paddle-shift ZF autos), a unique set of driving characteristics, handmade Italian interiors (although the steel and aluminium bodyshells and suspensions will be made by a highly automated process) and a unique design philosophy provided and honed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, the former guiding light at the Pininfarina design house who
Maserati will remain
exclusive, even at higher
volumes than before
The Alfieri shows where Maserati is heading; Wester cites “all the big boys” as rivals
penned the original Granturismo coupé and has strongly influenced modern Maseratis since.
Wester cites Maserati’s future rivals as “all the big boys”, meaning Mercedes, Audi, BMW and the usual suspects, who will all continue to have bigger sales in the luxury car market even after Maserati reaches its 75,000 foreseeable peak. This, he says, will make Maseratis more exclusive than the rest, even at higher volumes than before.
My time with Wester is running out. I’m keen to know how Maserati’s manufacturing economics will stand up against companies that can use even greater economies of scale. Wester believes that they will and has the calculations to prove it. “With so many more models than we have had before and so many shared components, we should be able to compete very well,” says Wester. “Of course, we have to hit our sales targets.”
Building the dealer network, which holds the key to bigger sales and especially to repeat business, is well under way. Last year, there were 230 dealers worldwide. By
the end of next year, there will be 450. Wester prefers solus Maserati premises, he says, because at the new volumes, it will be necessary to have a “mature” plan for selling the cars that customers bring as trade-ins. The biggest markets, as now, will continue to be the US and China, although China has challenges that the company didn’t necessarily anticipate.
“There are many new things to understand about China,” says Wester. “It’s a huge market, for sure, and it has great potential, but its buyers are quite different from those elsewhere. For instance, the Quattroporte outsells the Ghibli there, 40 per cent of buyers are women, and the average buying age is under 40. That makes it unique.”
In sum, Wester is delighted with the credentials of buyers being attracted to the new-wave Maseratis. “They’re genuine enthusiasts,” he says, “people who love to drive and who see owning a car like this as so much more than a means of transportation. The blogs are showing us that the people we’re getting are the people we want.” L
MASERATI: THE FIRST 100 YEARS
MASERATI FOUNDEDAlfieri Maserati establishes anindependent car garage (OfficineAlfieri Maserati SA) in Bologna,run by three of five Maseratibrothers. He moves his spark plugbusiness to the site.
TRIDENT BADGE ADOPTEDAlfieri Maserati commissions his artist brother Mario to design a trademark. Mario chooses a trident from a well known statue of Neptune in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore.
WINS GALOREMaserati scores its first international win, at the Tripoli Grand Prix, and then dominates the Italian Grand Prix, getting on to the podium. Customer demand for cars grows.
MASERATI UNDER PRESSUREPressure from improving German makers starts to hurt Maserati’s hard-won race superiority. Surviving Maserati brothers (Alfieri died in 1932) set up collaboration deal with entrepreneur Adolfo Orsi.
NEW HQ, ELECTRIC CARSBy the start of WW2, Maserati has moved to Modena. Car making stops for the war so the focus is on making spark plugs and batteries for the electric cars Maserati builds between 1940 and 1945.
A6, THE FIRST GTMaserati launches its first proper road-going GT, the handsome, Pininfarina-designed A6. The ‘A’ stands for Alfieri. Soon after this, the surviving brothers decide to leave the company for good.
FANGIO WINS FOUR FROM EIGHTJuan Manuel Fangio leaves Ferrari to rejoin Maserati. He wins in Argentina, Monaco, France and Germany to take his fifth and most emphatic drivers’ world title. This is Maserati’s greatest F1 moment.
SEMINAL ROADS CARSBig changes: Mistral, Quattroporte launched. Orsi family sells out to Alessandro de Tomaso. The mid-engined Bora wows buyers, and then the new-era Biturbo scores decent sales success.
PARTNERS WITH FERRARIMaserati is acquired by Fiat Group. It is now headed by Luca di Montezemolo, already Ferrari boss. Much is done to enhance the marques’ cooperation. The buyout is completed in 1999.
THE FUTURE BEGINSProduction at the Ciro Menotti site halts for modernisation. Maserati workers move to Maranello for six months, then return, operating the factory successfully until the latest set of volume-building changes…
1914
1930
1940
1957
1993
1920
1937
1946
1963-1981
1997
A MS T ER-DAAn all-new supercar conceived by an ex-plumber from Holland doesn’t sound promisingPHOTOGRAPHY STAN PAPIOR
A M N QUICK
When 38-year-old Dutch entrepreneur Robert Cobben was a teenage boy, he went to Le Mans for the first time with his family. It was
the mid-1980s, when the mighty Porsche 956s and Silk Cut Jaguars ruled the roost at La Sarthe, as it’s known among the locals. And from the moment he saw those prototypes howling down the Mulsanne Straight at 220mph – this was before they put the chicanes in, remember – Cobben was transfixed.
“I knew even then that, one day, I would at least try to build a road car that captures the spirit of those great Le Mans cars from the 1980s,” he says. And now, 25 years later, here he is, and here it is: the appropriately named Vencer Sarthe, with 622bhp, full carbonfibre bodywork and a £250,000 asking price.
Unlike most start-up supercar makers, Cobben and his amiable team of 10 or so employees at Vencer – which means ‘to overcome adversity’ in Portuguese – are realistic about the numbers surrounding their new car.
“In the first year, we will build five, perhaps six cars,” says Cobben.
“In the second year, we aim to make one a month. And for the time being, that will be all we aim to do: 12 cars a year. It’s an exclusive car for a small but discerning audience.”
The Vencer Sarthe will not be to everyone’s taste, and deliberately so. It purposely eschews all the regular electronic trickery that you’ll find in a contemporary supercar from Ferrari, Porsche or McLaren. “I believe there are still some people who want a road car that is pure to drive, and which isn’t compromised by electronic interference. And which has a manual gearbox,” says Cobben.
Yet Cobben doesn’t claim to have built anything as straightforward as a racing car for the road. “This is a street car so it’s got to be comfortable and usable,” he says. So it’s more like a GT-style supercar, I suggest, one in which you could drive to the south of France without being too uncomfortable.
“Exactly!” exclaims the Sarthe’s enthusiastic creator, who, by the way, used to own a rather successful plumbing business, which he sold just before the last recession to realise his boyhooddream to build a supercar.
So what lies beneath the ◊
but the reality is different, as Steve Sutcliffe discovers after driving the Vencer Sarthe
Cobben: “Some people want a road car that is pure”
54 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5 NOVEMBER 2014
Δ Sarthe’s beautifully finished, Le Mans prototype-inspired, carbonfibre bodywork? At its core, it features a Hennessey-tuned 6.3-litre V8 engine from GM, featuring bespoke heads and a supercharger to provide 622bhp and 618lb ft. This sits in a hybrid aluminium-chrome molybdenum spaceframe mid-engined chassis that’s also bespoke, with double-wishbone suspension at each corner. The V8 is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox built by UK engineering firm Ricardo.
At the rear, there’s a limited-slip differential and 20-inch wheels that wear 295/30-profile tyres, made for Vencer by Dutch tyre company Vredestein. The 245/35 ZR19 fronts are a bespoke size for Vencer.
Amazingly, the carbonfibre bodywork is created, baked and finished entirely in-house at Vencer’s factory in Vriezenveen, on the border of the Netherlands and Germany. Initially, Cobben tried to outsource the making of carbonfibre body parts, but he couldn’t find anyone who met Vencer’s price and quality criteria, so he bought his own oven and decided to make the stuff himself.
“It’s not cheap, of course, but we can guarantee the quality if we make
the carbonfibre ourselves. And for me, that was always a really key element to the car,” he says. This alone tells you almost everything you need to know about Cobben’s mildly unhinged but thoroughly endearing obsession with ‘doing it right’.
In the raw, the Sarthe looks pretty spectacular. It’s long and wide and low, just like a supercar should be. But it’s also distinctive and intriguing because its shape and its proportions, especially around that long tail, are so unfamiliar. The fit and finish of body panels and quality of paintwork are also genuinely incredible for a first-time effort at a production car. Ferraris don’t come any better painted or finished than this.
And the same ultra-high-quality theme continues when you thumb the invisible door release, and the door raises in a half-scissor, half-conventional, wholly different kind of way to reveal a simple but luxuriant-looking interior. It smells right in here, it looks right in here and it is right in here. And as you sit behind the multi-adjustable, leather-lined steering wheel, staring out at an unusually clean view of the road ahead (because the main instruments are all housed within a
T H E SA RT H E D R I V E S Q U I T E U N L I K E A N Y T H I N G I W
Quality has been paramount in the creation of this cabin
Instrument siting gives a clear view ahead; beneath there sits a 622bhp 6.3-litre V8
AT THE MOMENT, Robert Cobben and his team at Vencer claim to have no firm
plans to build another car, although they admit that a convertible version of the
Sarthe would be a fairly obvious progression and would be easy enough to engineer.
As would a right-hand-drive version of the car, which will be made available if a
customer is prepared to pay a little extra (unlike the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and
LaFerrari, by the way, all of which are left-hand drive only).
But judging from the twinkle in Cobben’s eye when I ask if he has plans to make
a smaller or slightly more affordable car, he already has the plans to produce more
cars under way in his head.
“I don’t just want to stop here,” he admits. “But I’m realistic and want to get this
car finished and completed first before we start moving on to other things.”
Watch this space, in other words, because it will almost certainly be filled
eventually by something well worth looking at.
WHAT NEXT FOR VENCER?
big, centrally mounted TFT screen),you can’t help think: how on earthdid they manage to get all this stuffso spot on, first time out of the box?
Then you fire up the V8, select first within the meaty six-speed gearbox and drive away and the whole thing slowly unravels, right? Wrong. Not for one moment does the Sarthe feel like it was built or engineered or fine-tuned by anyone other than people who very much know what they are doing. It also drives quite unlike anything I was expecting, or anything I’ve ever driven before.
You look at the spec sheet, see that it has 622bhp, note that it weighs just 1470kg with fluids and has a full slippy diff but precisely zero in the way of traction control, and you expect it to be a complete maniac of a machine. One that lights its rear tyres up at the merest whiff of full throttle and then spits you into the gutter if you’re not good enough to deal with it.
The reality, however, is somewhat different. Cobben asked Hennessey to make the ultimate power delivery from the V8 as soft as possible, so that it would also be as manageable as possible. And it is.
As a result, the Sarthe feels unfeasibly rapid, yes, hence the
0-60mph claim of 3.6sec and topspeed of 210mph. But it doesn’t feelin the least bit edgy or recalcitranton the move. Its power and, more important, its torque flow towards you gradually rather than with a rush, and the throttle response is smooth and well judged.
The steering is also similarly refined, with a sophistication to the way that it responds. Same goes for the ride quality, which is both soothing yet composed.
For most of the time, the handling is nice and tidy although, even by Vencer’s own admission, there are elements to the chassis that remain a work in progress. The traction is good, as is the fundamental balance mid-corner once you’ve got the thing loaded and settled into a bend, but on turn-in, it does feel a touch too soft for its own good. As a result, it feels like it wants to fall over itself at the rear unless you are super-delicate with your initial steering inputs.
But other than this, the Sarthe drives every bit as good as it looks. I loved the feel and power of its brakes, which will eventually get ABS. I liked the response and purity of its steering, and I thought the ride was exceptional for such a small-volume
car. The traction was also hard tofault and the mid-corner composurewas similarly impressive.
Oh, yes, and did I mention the noise it makes? Of all the things I remember about my day with the Sarthe, it’s the sound it makes under full load at anything above 2000rpm – because it is very, very lovely indeed. An initial deep, guttural rumble develops into a still bass-heavy howl in the mid-range, culminating in a full-on ear-splitting scream between 5000rpm and the 6800rpm cut out.
And when you’ve heard the Sarthe’s mighty war cry just once, all you want to do is slow down, shift back to a nice low gear in the excellent six-speed gearbox, and listen to it all over again. And then again. Until your ears begin to hurt and eventually bleed.
I’d say that Cobben will have no problem at all finding 12 customers a year for his dream car, the first of which has already found a home thanks to Vencer’s new dealership in China. In fact, I’d say that the only problem he’ll have is working out who sits where in the queue from now on because the dream, in this case, has very much come true. L
AS E X P ECT I N G O R A N Y T H I N G I ’ V E E V E R D R I V E N
Vencer Sarthe | Drive
RATING AAAAC
Price £250,000
0-60mph 3.6sec (claimed)
Top speed 210mph (claimed)
Economy 21mpg (est)
CO2 na
Kerb weight 1470kg
Engine V8, 6282cc,
supercharged, petrol
Installation Longitudinal, mid, RWD
Power 622bhp at 6500rpm
Torque 618lb ft at 4000rpm
Power to weight 423bhp per tonne
Specific output 99bhp per litre
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Gearbox 6-spd manual
Length 4515mm
Width 1984mm
Height 1190mm
Wheelbase 2791mm
Fuel tank 65 litres
Range 300 miles
Front suspension Double wishbones, coil
springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Double wishbones, coil
springs, anti-roll bar
Brakes 355mm ventilated discs
Wheels 9.0Jx19in (f), 10.5Jx20in (r)
Tyres 245/35 ZR 19 (f),
295/30 ZR20 (r)
VENCER SARTHE
The Sarthe displays good balance once
you’ve got it turned in
It looks good, sounds great and is finished as well as any Ferrari
Can an even sharper focus enhance an already great hot hatch?
No 5190ROAD TEST
Renault Mégane RS275 Trophy-R
OPrice £36,430OPower 271bhp O Torque 266lb ft O 0-60mph 6.4sec
O Fuel economy 26.2mpg O CO2 emissions 174g/km O 70-0mph 57.6m O Skidpan 0.84g
WE LIKE Pin-sharp handling Q�Spartan, weight-paring ethos Q�Blaring, insistent pace
Until very recently, introducing a Dieppe-fettled Renault was like announcing a Beatles album in the late 1960s: you
just knew that whatever they’d done, it was almost certainly going to be brilliant. Consequently, the last Renaultsport model that we tested, the Clio 200 Turbo, was a jolt; unwanted proof that the firm’s genius-grade engineers could knock out tepid acceptability if they were made to work with one hand tied behind their back.
This time round, there is no excuse. Limited to a run of just 30 examples
The quick Mégane is, by now, afamiliar machine. Like the 265 andthe 275 Trophy, the R gets the same2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine,in the same 271bhp guise, as the 275Trophy. The extra power over thestandard car is delivered by a revisedECU remap and is again tagged tothe car’s Sport and Race modes. Italso shares the Trophy’s upgradedAkrapovi ˇ titanium exhaust ◊
Hardcore R26.R is the Trophy-R’s immediate forebear
HISTORY
Renault’s hot hatch
legacy, especially where
special-edition cars are
concerned, is probably
unparalleled. Among a
bevy of household names
are the Clio Williams, the
Clio V6, the Clio Trophy,
the Mégane 230 R26 and,
of course, the R26.R. The
last of these, launched in
2008, is clearly the direct antecedent of the Trophy-R and came in much the
same stripped-out, limited-run format. Of the 450 made, just over half were
destined for the UK.
O�Want to shave 80kg or so from
an already relatively lightweight
hot hatchback? Start by removing
the rear wiper.
O�The roof spoiler is shared by the
Trophy and Trophy-R, but unlike the
front splitter, it’s the same colour —
gloss black — on both models.
O�You want decals? You’ve got
decals. They’re a bit on the garish
side, but we’d probably leave them
on, given that it’s a visual clue to the
rarity of this car.
cO�The Akrapovi ̌ exhaust system cuts
4kg from the overall weight of the
car. It’s titanium but incorporates this
carbonfibre finisher, which is standard
on Trophy and Trophy-R models.
WE DON’T LIKE Inflated price Q�Re-charging for deleted kit Q�There will only ever be 30 on UK soil
in the UK, the Trophy-R is an example of what Renault is prepared to do to a hot hatchback in order to eke out extra performance. Much has been removed in that engineering pilgrimage, and most of what has been added is intended to hone an already razor-sharp chassis.
We already know that the Trophy-R is the quickest front-wheel-drive production car ever to lap the Nürburgring. But has its new go-faster guise taken it beyond the already thoroughly brilliant 275 Trophy in the driver reward stakes? Strap yourself in for the answer.
Δ system and the Cup chassis pack, which adds stiffer springs, a larger-diameter anti-roll bar, a lower ride height and – most important – a GKNmechanical limited-slip differential. The pack normally adds dampers, too, but for the R, these are swapped out for a set of adjustable Öhlins (see ‘Under the skin’, p61), which feature hydraulic compression stops that Renault has dubbed Progressive Damping System. Moreover, in what Renault claims as a first for a production car, the model gets Allevard composite front springs.
These alone save 4kg from the car’s kerb weight and it’s the weight-saving theme that – again – defines the quickest Mégane. Much has been jettisoned to deliver the 80kg decrease that the engineers were after. About 18kg of soundproofing has been shed, alongside 20kg of rear seating, whose place is taken by a strut brace and a very large, spare-tyre-accommodating boot.
The kit list has been trimmed even more aggressively than that of the R26.R, with the loss of air-con, stereo, multimedia system, rear wiper and automatic headlights. This
saves 10kg and there’s reputedly a 5kg saving in the 19-inch Speedline Turini wheels, which come with high-end Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
As standard, the diet stops there. However, if you’re the kind of buyer who feels they might be looking to trouble the car’s lap record potential, you can spec the Nürburgring Record Pack, a £1995 optional extra that includes a lightweight lithium ion battery, driver’s six-point harness, upgraded brakes (with wider 350mm discs at the front) and – tellingly – four spare wheel covers. Our test car came so equipped.
INTERIOR
AAAAC
Tapping the rear side windows of the Mégane tells you something straight away – they’re conventional glass, not plastic. This car hasn’t quite beenon the hardcore crash diet of the R26.R but, once you’re inside, you’llthink that everything else that couldhave been done has been.
The seats slide back and forthbut are fixed-back buckets with ◊
O�It’s about as austere as a modern hatchback gets up front but appropriately
so. The seats are predictably excellent; the lack of air conditioning less so.
O�The Trophy-R’s lack of rear seats ensures that this car is realistically an
option for diehard fans only. But that is probably as it should be.
O�Being able to get four tyres in the back of this Mégane makes a lot of sense.
It will swallow quite a lot of furniture, too, if you don’t mind it moving around.
Height 750mm
Length 840mm
Width 1160mm
Well placed pedals, with the brake and accelerator perfectly aligned for heel-and-toe flicking. Steering column could do with a bit more telescopic range, just to offset the shallow footwells.
VISIBILITY TEST
HEADLIGHTS
Good. Pillars are pretty skinny and aren’t too close, and the long doors make for a good over-the-shoulder view.
Also good. You’d expect better of a premium-brand rival, mind. Main beams could be more powerful.
OFront tyres do better for longitudinal than lateral
grip in the wet so traction and braking aren’t terrible.
OWith everything off you
need to be very smooth to
avoid a high-speed moment
in the fast T4.
O If you build lateral load into the car,
say around T5 and T7, expect fairly
pronounced throttle-off oversteer.
OHairpin draws lots of understeer
out of the tyres. Going in very slow
is the only way to pick up the apex.
On the limit
The crowning achievement of
the Trophy-R is how purposeful,
rewarding and three-dimensional its
handling is on a dry circuit. No driver
would ever get out of it and say “it’s a
shame that it’s front drive” because
the car gives you every option not just
to pick your line but also to tweak your
cornering attitude.
It takes a while to get used to the
sheer tenacity of the car’s adhesion
to the asphalt, which is as high as any
track special from Lotus or Porsche.
In the dry, that is. In the wet, those
Cup tyres do struggle for grip, although
the fundamental chassis balance and
controllability of the car are preserved.
Braking stability is excellent either
way, and stopping power is huge in the
dry, so you’ll only ever be braking into
an apex by choice. You might choose
to, though, because there’s wonderful
cornering balance in the handling
mix that allows you to point the car’s
nose at the exit of a corner early, and
simply open up the taps to straighten
it out. Front-drivers rarely have such
poise when driven so hard.
DRY CIRCUIT
Renault Mégane RS 275
Trophy-R
1min 23.9sec
Volkswagen Golf R
1min 17.4sec
Steady rain and some standing water for the Renault. ESP Sport mode deals with the lack of grip well. Mid-corner oversteer can surprise with everything off.
WET CIRCUIT
Renault Mégane RS 275
Trophy-R
1min 29.4sec
Volkswagen Golf R
1min 14.0sec
Much more standing water here, and a bigger gap to the 4WD Golf. Cup tyres struggle. Balance of grip is okay — there’s just not enough of it.
Renault Mégane RS 275 Trophy-R
Standing quarter mile 14.9sec at 103.1mph, standing km 26.3sec at 129.8mph, 30-70mph 5.1sec, 30-70mph in fourth 7.1sec
ACCELERATION 11deg C, wet
Volkswagen Golf R
Standing quarter mile 13.4sec at 105.2mph, standing km 24.6sec at 132.1mph, 30-70mph 4.3sec, 30-70mph in fourth 7.3sec
BRAKING 60-0mph: 3.10sec
Δ six-point harnesses and, for day-to-day use, three-point inertia reels.
The air-con and stereo have been deleted, although cruise control stays. But none of these things is quite as notable by its absence as the lack of rear chairs. Instead, there’s a luggage net and a lot of empty space, across which the (optional) driver’s six-point race harness stretches to its mounting points.
From that point vertically is a set of webbing, mounted beneath a bright red brace, to prevent whatever’s loaded in the boot from sliding forwards. That’s designed to be a set of wheels and tyres, although only three fit side by side in the boot itself, with the fourth having to be popped over the brace and behind the seats. Which is probably no great hardship if you’re serious about taking spare rubber to track days.
Neither, presumably, is the relative lack of soundproofing, again aimed at reducing weight. After all, this is a stripped-out car with a low-slung, no-compromise driving position to match. And in that context, Renault’s material choices – hard plastics in most places, soft suede-effect or Alcantara in others – is spot on.
PERFORMANCE
AAAAC
All of the motorsport-grade chassis parts and Nürburgring honing in the world comes to little if your first track taste of the Trophy-R comes in streaming rain, as ours did. Despite waiting all day for a dry surface, it wasn’t to materialise – and in the wet, the car’s Cup tyres won’t take full throttle even at middling revs in anything less than third gear.
So dry launch timings will have to wait for another time. Experience suggests that it’ll be at least a full second quicker to 60mph than the
It’s all very well paying the premium for a car with mechanically
adjustable dampers, but getting the best from them can be a fiddly and
time-consuming process. Fortunately, to help get the best out of the
Öhlins’ built-in amplitude of 20 positional clicks at the front and 30 clicks
to the rear (‘0’ being the firmest), Renault has supplied a guide based on
the recommendations of Laurent Hurgon — the test driver responsible for
the Mégane’s record-breaking time around the Nürburgring.
Out of the box, the Mégane comes on what the manufacturer describes
as its standard road set-up, which, with the dampers set to ‘5’ at the nose
and ‘10’ at the back, provides the impressive compromise that we describe
above. To fine-tune this further, you’ll need to jack the car up and whip
the wheels off, then it’s just a matter of twisting the lower portion of the
damper to adjust. Ground clearance may also be lowered by as much as
8mm at the front, although you’ll probably be needing to make full use
of your top speed at somewhere like the Nürburgring to make it worth it.
Otherwise, just a single click on each damper — to ‘4’ and ‘9’ — will provide
you with what Hurgon considers to be the ideal ‘quick dry track’ setting,
not to mention the one that saw him into the record books.
OLow volume is likely to keep values
high for the Trophy-R, even compared
with more usable, upmarket options.
DEPRECIATION
wet time we posted. Not quite in sub-5.0sec Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG or BMW M135i league, perhaps, but anything below 5.7sec will make the Trophy-R the fastest front-driver we’ve tested. All we can say for now is that, even in the wet and cold, the Trophy-R is quicker than a Vauxhall Astra VXR in perfect, dry conditions.
Once its tyres find some purchase, the Renault roars and pops its way through its gears with a rapacious appetite – not only because of its extra power but also because it has a shorter final drive than the last Mégane RS we figured (a 250 Cup). The old-fashioned multi-point fuel injection combines with pleasingly smart, linear turbo response to make for an accelerator that you can modulate precisely when you need to. Aside from a sudden lump of torque delivered at 2000rpm – somewhere you just won’t find yourself when you’re stretching this car’s legs – the power curve feels smooth and even. The shift quality of the six-speed manual gearbox is respectable, although a more substantial feel would suit the car better.
On the road, you wouldn’t criticise the Trophy-R for being noisy or uncivil, although it’s both. Bereft of sound-deadening, the cabin is filled with as much road and tyre noise as it is engine roar at cruising speeds – and, trust us, 74dB is a noisy 70mph cruise. But it’s all part of the car’s uncompromising, compelling, madcap character, which can’t be escaped or ignored even on the most mundane of motorway commutes.
RIDE AND HANDLING
AAAAB
The best news to report here isn’t to do with other-worldly lateral grip or physics-defying body control. It’s that, despite its obvious superpowers,
the Trophy-R remains a fast Mégane with all of the outstanding facets that we’ve come to revere, given increasingly flavourless rivals. It hasn’t been warped into a pastiche with a few aspects of its dynamic talent amplified out of all proportion,so much as transported onto a higherlevel of speed and excitement whole and unaltered.
Which isn’t meant to suggest that the Trophy-R rides like a normal Mégane RS, or is equally easy to guide down a bumpy B-road. You earn your corn in this car. Although the ride isn’t heinously crashy, the suspension is firm and the tyre sidewalls are unsympathetically hardand thin. The wheels skip between short, sharp lumps and bumps when the road surface suddenly turns cruel. In the meantime, every one of those bumps is felt through the bristling, weighty, scalpel-precise steering and will frequently knock the car slightly off course. Plenty of rival hot hatchbacks make better fastroad cars than this, it’s true. But noneis more involving or more devoted to providing tactile vivid thrills when the opportunity presents.
And when it does – on a dry track
day with plenty of more powerful machinery to pursue – the Trophy-R’s hardcore temperament serves up an absolute riot of a driving experience. Huge grip levels, feelsome and well balanced controls and benign but still absorbing front-drive handling manners inspire tons of confidence and allow you to carry heroic cornering speeds.
The car is typically balanced, directionally responsive and adjustable as you begin to approach the edge of its hold on the asphalt and permits more slip angle than anything front-drive has a right to. It’s stable, too, but to put it simply, you probably won’t go faster or have more fun on a circuit in anything save the very finest sports cars and supercars.
In the wet, on the wrong road, in a train of traffic and elsewhere, you’ll pay for that devotion. But, if you’re like us, you’ll very seldom regret it.
BUYING AND OWNING
AAAAC
Renault had trouble shifting all of its UK allocation of the R26.R Méganes, to the extent that they were fairly
heavily discounted towards the end, and their values are up to and around £20,000 now. But Renault made more than 200 right-hand-drive R26.Rs: this time there are just 30.
Don’t be surprised if the Trophy-R holds its value better even than our residual experts suggest. For other costs, it should be broadly in line with the standard Trophy, such as the 26.2mpg on average and broaching 30mpg when cruising – in the unlikely event you do much of that. ◊
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST18in Speedline Tibor alloy wheels Q
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres Q
Öhlins ‘Road and Track’
adjustable dampers Q
Allevard composite front springs Q
Akrapovic̆exhaust Q
Cruise control Q
Speed limiter Q
LED daytime lights Q
Rear parking sensors Q
Tyre pressure monitors Q
Recaro pole position seats Q
Push-button start Q
Remote control central locking Q
Cup chassis (including limited-slip diff,
red brake calipers and stiffer springs) Q
Arctic white paint with black roof £625
19-inch Speedline alloy wheels in red £250
Nürburgring Pack (including
lithium ion battery, six-point Sabelt
harness, 350mm front discs, spare
wheel covers) £1995
Options in bold fitted to test car
Q = Standard na = not available
RANGE AT A GLANCEENGINES POWER FROM
RS 265 261bhp £25,930
RS 275 Trophy 271bhp £28,930
RS 275 Trophy-R 271bhp £36,430
TRANSMISSIONS6-spd manual Q
Trick items aside, the Mégane is not a complicated car. Like the rest of the range, it’s a front-engined, front-drive hatch with a transverse four-pot petrol motor, front MacPherson struts and a twist beam at the rear. It’s the details that matter, though, and the changes to the springs, dampers, tyres, brakes, exhaust and slippy diff are inspired.
The claimed/measured weight disparity is, we think, due to the addition of the Nürburgring Pack to our test car.
Its diet has the desired effect. Despite giving away 25bhp to the VW Golf R, the Mégane’s power-to-weight is 12bhp up.
ENGINEInstallation Front, transverse,
front-wheel drive
Type 4 cyls, 1998cc,
turbocharged, petrol
Made of Aluminium head and block
Bore/stroke 82.7mm/93.0mm
Compression ratio 8.6:1
Valve gear 4 per cyl
Power 271bhp at 5500rpm
Torque 266lb ft at 3000rpm
Red line 6600rpm
Power to weight 208bhp per tonne
Torque to weight 204lb ft per tonne
Specific output 135bhp per litre
POWER & TORQUE
BRAKESFront 350mm ventilated discs
Rear 290mm ventilated discs
Anti-lock Standard with EBD
CABIN NOISEIdle 52dB Max revs in third gear 84dB
30mph 66dB 50mph 69dB 70mph 74dB
SAFETYABS, ESC, CSV
Euro NCAP crash rating na
EMISSIONS & TAXCO2 emissions 174g/km
Tax at 20/40% pcm £164/£328
CHASSIS & BODYConstruction Steel monocoque
Weight/as tested 1297/1285kg
Drag coefficient na
Wheels 8.25Jx19in
Tyres 235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2
Spare Repair kit
TRANSMISSIONType 6-spd manual
Ratios/mph per 1000rpm
1st 3.08/5.9 2nd 1.95/9.3 3rd 1.39/13.0
4th 1.03/17.6 5th 0.82/22.1 6th 0.67/27.0
Final drive ratio 4.188
SUSPENSION Front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
STEERINGType Electrically assisted rack and pinion
Turns lock to lock 2.6
Turning circle 11.1m
ECONOMYTEST
CLAIMED
Average 26.2mpg
Touring 33.3mpg
Track 15.7mpg
Urban 28.8mpg
Extra-urban 45.6mpg
Combined 37.7mpg
Tank size 60 litres
Test range 345 miles
ACCELERATION ACCELERATION IN GEAR MAX SPEEDS IN GEARMPH 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Renault Mégane RS 275 Trophy-RAUTOCAR VERDICTAAAABDiamond hard, deliciously niche and spectacularly rewarding
NIC CACKETTCouldn’t see myself paying £2k
for a smaller battery and a six-point harness. One makes a negligible difference; the other is, 99 per cent of the time, a pain in the neck. Literally.
MATT SAUNDERSAs well as chucking out the head
unit, Renaultsport takes out the door speakers, wiring and column remote controls to save weight. Only the speaker grilles and aerial wiring remain. Impressive commitment.
SPEC ADVICE
We’d re-spec the air-con
and stereo, and un-spec
some pies to end up
weight neutral.
JOBS FOR THE FACELIFT
O Sweeten the gearshift
— but not by fitting a
dual-clutch thing.The Trophy-R is a car of giant-killing purpose and genuine excitement. It’s a tribute to the skill of Renaultsport’s engineers that it can turn an £18k family hatchback into something with the grip, body control, stopping power and thrills comparable to those of a Lotus Exige S or Porsche 911 GT3 RS circuit special. The Trophy-R may not be in the same league as those big
hitters on outright speed, but the fact that it’s endowed with more poise, more control, sharper responses and a stronger hold on dry asphalt than it needs somehow makes it more appealing.
The perfect hot hatchback should be more usable, habitable and affordable than this, which is why the Trophy-R doesn’t get the final half star. But the market is doing all right for practical, well mannered, well priced options. What it didn’t have was a truly unhinged, razor-edged, track-ready entrant focused enough to make a Mini GP feel like a 1.0-litre Mayfair. Until now.
No 5190TESTERS’ NOTES
2nd 3rd 4th 5th1st
TOP5MAKEModel
Price
Power
Torque
0-60mph
Top speed (claimed)
Fuel economy (combined)
Kerb weight (claimed)
CO2/tax band
CATERHAMSupersport
£24,830140bh p at 6900rpm120lb ft at 5790rpm4.9sec (claimed)120mph na520kgna
ARIELAtom 245
£30,572245bhp at 8200rpm155lb ft at 6100rpm3.2sec (claimed)140mph31.4mpg550kg190g/km, 31 per cent
RENAULTMégane RS 275 Trophy-R
£36,430271bhp at 5500rpm266lb ft at 3000rpm6.4sec158mph37.7mpg1297kg174g/km, 27 per cent
GINETTAG40R
£29,950175bhp at 5000rpm140lb ft at 1750rpm5.8sec140mph 29mpg795kg181g/km, 29 per cent
Makes even a stripped-out
hatch look blimpish. Fun cannot
be made any more feelsome.
++++B
Brilliance of the 3.5R shows up
the entry-level car’s faults but
it’s never less than compelling.
++++B
If you prefer your front axles
powered and your track cars
usable, this is the only choice.
++++B
Body and chassis both benefit
from a nice balance, but a
Trophy would leave it standing.
++++C
Verdicts on every
new car, p78
LOTUS Elise S Club Racer
£37,200217bhp at 6800rpm184lb ft at 4600rpm4.2sec (claimed)145mph37.5mpg905kg175g/km, 28 per cent
I read with interest Greg Kable’s article about the BMW M2 and its
new engine (News, 22 October). I couldn’t help but wonder if BMW
might be better off going down an old-school route for the M2. A new
engine sounds like a good idea, but I hope that it doesn’t sound as
disappointingly ordinary as the current M3/M4.
My suggestion would be to swap the new unit for the 3.2-litre
straight six of the M3 CSL but ditch the jerky SMG gearbox and keep
the hallowed manual unit. The noise would be incredible, but the
controllability would stay because of the manual gearbox. I have a
feeling that the M2 might just be a whole lot better than its big brothers.
James MortimoreVia email
Give the M2 a 3.2 six
IN DEFENCE OF JAGUARHaving read Mark Shaffer’s view on Jaguar (Your Views, 22 October), I can understand where he is coming from but I totally disagree with his conclusion. Designers today have many more constraints to meet than back in the 1960s, such as crash and pedestrian safety, lighting legislation, boot capacity and so on. Jaguar has never been about contrived styling features for visual effect, and long may it continue to make beautiful form that follows function.John CadyVia email
HANDLE WITH CAREHow refreshing to read Chas Hallett’s article on the Jaguar F-type R coupé (Our Cars, 22 October), where the skill in driving a powerful car quickly and safely required some thought and input from the driver rather than relying heavily on electronics.
It may be apocryphal but Erik Carlsson once said that his Saab 96 had traction control, and when questioned on this, he pointed to his right foot (but he was also a master at left-foot braking).Peter LewisHereford
FORD CAN’T DO ‘PREMIUM’In answer to James Bohan-Pitt’scuriosity about Ford’s strategy (YourViews, 22 October), readers may recallthat Ford went on a buying spree todevelop the Premier Automotive Group,which included Jaguar, Land Rover andVolvo – all, curiously enough, premiumbrands. Ford knew back then: it was not apremium brand.
In 2001, I co-developed apan-European customer segmentationfor Ford that reaffirmed that view.However, finance dictated that all theacquisitions had to be sold. Which leavesFord stuck in the mainstream, when the
growth is in budget and premium cars.The ‘Vignale’ proposition sounds
disastrous to me. Like a ‘Ghia’ or ‘Titanium’ badge.
I’d recommend that Ford creates a budget brand to get volume up. That, in turn, could make the mainstream Ford brand more profitable. I think Ford just can’t do ‘premium’. Rival premium brands are far too well established and I may be wrong but I think that Lexus and Infiniti are taking a very long time to develop.Casper GorniokGuildford, Surrey
FORD ONCE HAD ‘PREMIUM’James Bohan-Pitt suggests that Ford gets itself a Lexus-type brand. As I understand it, Ford did have such a brand, and it was called Jaguar. But Ford sold it.S. N. CarterLincoln
NAME THAT CARI agree with AMG’s boss Tobias Moers that its Porsche 911 GT3 rival should have a different name from GT GT3 (News, 22 October). How about GT AR? AR stands for ‘Ausdauer Racing’ – ‘Endurance Racing’ in German (I think). To me, it sounds suitably purposeful.Mike SpencerVia email
WINLetter of the week wins full year’s supplyof CleanDrive (4 bottles) worth over £55clean-drive.co.uk
SIR STIRLING MOSS got in hot waterlast year for saying that a woman would never make it in Formula 1. He might be right, but I wrote a piece for a national tabloid putting forward the case for the opposition. I think that I mentioned Desiré Wilson and Michelle Mouton, but space was limited and I didn’t get the chance to introduce the British public to Elizabeth Junek.
Junek was a Czech whose real name is Eliska Junkova but since I don’t know how to get my computer to do all the funny accents, I shall do what the hacks in the 1920s did and use the anglicised version.
Junek got into racing because her husband was obsessed by speed and she thought that if she was going to
share his life, she’d better go racingwith him. Mr Junek, a wealthy banker in Prague, equipped himself with a Bugatti and a few other top machines of the time. A hand injury from the Great War meant that he couldn’t change gear properly so Mrs J thought that she might as well have a go.
Her name hit the headlines when she was runner-up in the Klausen Pass hillclimb in Switzerland. Later, in 1928, she entered the Targa Florio and finished fifth in her Bugatti type 35B, having led before mechanical issues cost her time. Serious names were in that race, including Louis Chiron, who finished one place ahead of her.
A year later, the Juneks shared a drive at the German Grand Prix at the
Nürburgring. Tragically, her husband went off the road and was killed. His widow never raced again. Elizabeth Junek died in 1994, 94 years after her
birth in what was then Bohemia.One day, Moss will be proved
wrong. Perhaps not in his lifetime, but hopefully in mine.
Jag F-type R coupé rewards a driver’s skill
Colin GoodwinNo 16 Elizabeth Junek , racing driver
TOUCHING BASEI see that touchscreen applications are spreading but can you use a touchscreen while driving and keep your eyes on the road? Is the solution to have a touch-sensitive head-up display?Chris MynottNorthampton
GET BACK TO WORKIs the Autocar writing team going through some sort of collective mid-life crisis? Two consecutive in-depth tests on ultra-expensive hypercars and two consecutive weeks of larking about with a variety of cars on a track. Sounds like you’ve all had some jolly fun-packed boys’ days out. Do you fancy getting on with some proper work now?Harry KnibbVia email
THE DREAM TEAMYou say that Rolls-Royce is on schedule to sell 4000 cars this year (News, 1 October). From this, it’s “estimated that the maker will bank about £500 million profit”. I wonder how happy a Rolls-Royce owner will be to think that £125,000 of what he or she has paid for their car becomes profit for the maker. Numerous businesses would dream of that level of profit margin.Julian LeytonVia email
WHY NO LOTUS?A Britain’s Best Driver’s Car contest without a Lotus (Autocar, 15 October)? I can hardly believe it. It would run rings
around at least seven of your contenders for driving pleasure. Certainly, it is not a new model, but are the Renault Mégane and the Porsche Cayman new cars? Philippe DessemondVia emailThe Britain’s Best Driver’s Car contest
consists of our favourite cars (or new
variants) launched and driven that year,
Philippe. Sadly, Lotus hasn’t launched a
car to qualify this year — MT
CASTLE COMBE: GOOD CHOICEI always look forward to your Britain’s Best Driver’s Car contest and this year was even better because you used Castle Combe, where my wife spent many happy hours watching some of the best pure racing at the friendliest circuit in the UK. It certainly showed up some of the handling woes of some of the cars.
BMW’s M4 would be the car for me because I could get my golf clubs in it and still go quickly.Mike MaceVia email
BMW FAILS TO CUT A DASHMuch as I admire the vast technical aspects of BMW, not to mention the latest i3 and i8 models, I feel compelled to criticise the dashboard designs virtually across the entire range. The stylists seem to have been asleep for the past five to six years because every model appears the same. Even the super-modern i8 has distinct overtones of yesterday’s cars.
Why even the ‘humble’ new Ford Mondeo seems to have vastly superior internal design architecture. David HeatherDublin
Touchscreens are the next big thing, and rarely as big as in Tesla’s Model S
TWIN TEST
Mégane RS 275 Trophy-Rvs Mercedes A45 AMGHottest front-drive hot hatch
fights hottest four-wheel-drive one
REVIEW
New Smarts drivenFirst verdicts on the all-new
Smart Fortwo and the returning
Forfour. Should rivals be worried?
NEXT WEEK
Inside the magazine — on sale 12 November
CONTENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
FIRST DRIVE
FEATURE
All-new Mazda 2 Is it good enough to challenge the class-leading Ford Fiesta?
Citroën DS3 WRC drive We preview Wales Rally GB with a blast in Citroën’s DS3 WRC car
Since I started my tenure at Autocarnearly six months ago, other long-term test cars have left a deeperimpression on me than the Mazda
3. Frankly, who wouldn’t have their headturned by the thrill-a-minute, air-fillingburble of the V8 donkeys sequesteredbeneath the Jaguar F-type R andVauxhall VXR8? But even amid suchconspicuously expensive burners ofsuper-unleaded, the modest 3 hasn’tlost its everyday, everyman appeal.
It has, in the best tradition of modernhatchbacks, done almost everythingasked of it without obvious strain. Withme, that has included some seriousmiles; rarely with passengers but always
brimmed with heavy kit. When a recentshoot required off-road and on-grassaction to find the right location, I barelyhesitated in teasing the front wheelsonto the soft stuff. The 3 simply doesn’tfeel like it’s going to let you down — and99 times out of 100, it doesn’t.
Now for the one per cent of niggles.Polished and faux carbonfibre trim isthe bane of any car photographer’sexistence because it picks up dirt andfinger smudge marks so easily. Likebodywork, a car’s interior needs to beclean before the picture-taking canbegin, and unlike the exterior, there’soften no one around to help withcleaning once you’re inside. Thus, I
Mazda 3 14,000-MILE REPORT Nine months in, Mazda’s hatchback is rising to the challenge of being a hard-working photographer’s car almost perfectly
spend 50 per cent of my time polishing dashboard trim prior to taking photos.
The 3 is dotted with such surfaces, and my sensitivity to their collective grubbiness makes them a constant distraction. However, when it comes to teeth-grinding annoyance, the accumulation of dust and fingerprints pales beside the sat-nav’s inability to properly mute. I’ve moaned about this before, so I won’t go on about it. Suffice it to say that after nine months with us,
the 3’s guidance can still not be totally silenced — continually interrupting the radio with silent pauses where the spoken instructions would have been.
The sat-nav has another annoying quirk. For reasons beyond understanding, it will not let you put in a full postcode beyond three digits without switching automatically to the list of everyone it recognises as starting with HP1 or RH4 or whatever. Thus, having wiped down the interior
The 3 responds to this attitude with a free-flowing chassis and responsive controls
for the 14th time in three minutes, Ithen find myself scrolling through 3000postcodes to locate the one I’m lookingfor. Which, of course, isn’t there anyway.
Finally, on the grumble list, there’sthe economy. Mazda engines, I’m told,are becoming famous for exceptionalfrugality but, so far, I haven’t really seenit — the current long-term average is37.9mpg. Here, though, I’m prepared toconcede that I’m probably a major partof the problem. Another 3, in exactly thesame trim, took part in the recent MPGMarathon and recorded 58.4mpg.
Clearly, with the right amount ofpatience and a serious allergic reactionto throttle inputs, the Mazda will return
outstanding economy. But with longdays spent on deserted and distantroads, it’s hard not to fall into the trapof pushing hard to get home. That the3 responds to this attitude with a free-flowing chassis and responsive controlscontinues to be among its best features— and I’ll accept the shortfall in range asa necessary part of the deal.
It should also be noted, in theinterests of fairness, that althoughthe cabin shows up evidence of humanactivity like a CSI crime scene underblack light, the rear load space hasproven exceptionally robust. Despitefrequently being piled high with lightingstands, tripods, clamps, rigs, camera
PEDAL LAYOUTThe spacing and location of
the pedals are excellent for
enthusiastic driving.
TRIMFaux carbonfibre trim isn’t to my
taste — it shows up the dust and
fingerprints far too readily.
OUR CARS
LOVE ITLOATHE IT
The 3 is an enjoyable and capable car with very few glitches, but the sat-nav won’t mute properly and its postcode entry can be fiddly
Keen drivers willenjoy the Mazda’swell sorted chassis
It takes plenty ofcamera kit and iswearing very well
Mazda 3 2.0 120PS Sport Nav
Price £19,895 Price as tested £21,435
Economy 37.9mpg Faults None Expenses None
Last seen 15.10.14
bodies, lenses, cleaning gear, flashes and laptops, the boot is a just good hoover away from appearing brand new.
Clear evidence of such durability — only revealed in heavy-duty use — is the reason why we run long-termers and, I suspect, why the Mazda was selected as a car for a photographer to use. A good way through its own tenure at Autocar, it’s living up to those expectations. [email protected]
Luc LaceyL Richard Bremner Matt SaundersMatt Saunders
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5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 69
So far we’ve covered some 2000 orso miles in the VXR8 GTS, burnedthrough countless litres of fuel andexpended a couple of tyres. The
car has seen action on track (beating aBMW M4 around Castle Combe in theprocess), been used for early-morningruns to myriad airports and endured mydaily commute to the Autocar office.
So far it has been an immenselygratifying companion. Despite whatyou might expect it’s effortless to drivewith relatively light controls and easilyjudged dimensions. It’s comfortable,rides smoothly, has plenty of space andits battery of equipment means you’rerarely left wanting.
The opportunity to drive the VXR8at Castle Combe in our Britain’s BestDriver’s Car contest revealed it to bea genuinely entertaining car to drive:
Mileage | 12,660 Our mighty V8 demonstrates an appetite for destruction — of its tyres
punchy, communicative, playful and forgiving. I only found myself longing for slightly more direct and natural-feeling steering, which, as it is, weights up inconsistently at times.
After some 25 laps, however, the GTS had completely annihilated two tyres – but those at the front and not the back. Presumably because of its sheer weight the car simply rolled the front tyres onto their sidewalls, scrubbing them down to the carcass at a fairly alarming rate. Those with regular track days in mind may do well to consider this, although dialling in more front camber may reduce the wear and tear somewhat.
One predictable issue that has arisen, beyond the previously mentioned short range and the aforementioned tyre consumption, is the Vauxhall’s size. It’s slightly longer than a BMW M5, which is already a large car, meaning it often protrudes from parking spaces. Likewise, its substantial width means it’s easy to get hemmed in by people parking alongside you, increasing the risk of door dings on its flanks.
This problem isn’t confined to the VXR8 GTS, of course, but trudging through a multi-storey only to find that it’s almost impossible to get back into it is occasionally a little frustrating. [email protected]
Vauxhall VXR8 GTS
Mini Cooper
Price £54,499 Price as tested £54,499 Options
None Economy 20.6mpg Faults None Expenses
two tyres, £370 fitted Last seen 22.10.14
Price £15,300 Price as tested £22,034
Economy 43.5mpg Faults None
Expenses None Last seen 24.09.14
Mileage 6321An early high-point of our experiencewith the new Mini Cooper has beenthe interior. The cabin feels everybit the baby BMW in quality andtechnology but with enough cheekycharm that, unlike previous Minis, itdoesn’t descend into parody.
The seats are comfortable,supportive and suitably sporty. Theyare half leatherette with the fabricyour bum plonks on winning approvalfor its design and quality.
As well as being a fine place in whichto sit, the cabin is also functional.The steering wheel is nice to grip
Mini Cooper
and has a useful number of functions a mere thumb push away. The electric window switches have moved from the bottom of the centre console to a more conventional location on the door trims, and that god-awful central speedometer is no more, the excellent optional head-up display now being my default speedo.
There are a few things I’m struggling to get my head around, though. The LED light ring that surrounds the central, circular screen responds to certain functions, such as glowing red in Sport mode. However, I can’t work out what it’s telling me when I’m driving the car normally. The yellow light that hovers halfway doesn’t seem to relate to the car’s speed. Answers, anyone?
The BMW iDrive-style controller for the infotainment system allows text to be inputted using a touchpad on top of the rotary knob. It’s very sensitive, though, and frustrating to use. The voice recognition also struggles to understand the best Queen’s English. It’s easier to turn the knob and click in the text manually.
Taller drivers say the front central armest is intrusive. I’ve not found this as my 5ft 10in frame means it’s just right for, erm, resting my arm.
All these gripes are minor, though, and do not detract from the underlying point: this new Mini’s cabin is proving as great to live with as it is to look at. [email protected]
Steering can weight up inconsistently
Still cheeky but now more grown up, too
Britain’s Best Driver’s Car track antics wore the front tyres down to their carcass
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You might wonder why you’reseeing a picture of the MG3 with anAustin Mini in the background. Thereason, apart from the fact that I
bought the Mini a few months back, isthat both cars were made in the samefactory, 51 years apart.
They have a few other things incommon besides: a transverselyarranged engine that was popularisedby the Mini (though unlike that car, theMG’s gearbox innards aren’t thrashingaway in the engine’s oil sump), they’reboth budget cars and they each providemore than average space for their price.They serve up a handling-biased chassisset-up, too, although the MG is hardly therevolution that the Mini was, and it wouldbe unreasonable to expect it to be.
But I’m enjoying the MG’s neathandling, which allows you to scribeplenty of bends without slowing downmuch, partly because the car is fairlygrippy and partly because it doesn’t rolla great deal. You get fairly good steeringfeel by modern standards, too, becausethe system is hydraulically assistedrather than electric. It’s nowhere nearas good as the Mini’s unassisted set-up,although that’s true of almost everynew car on sale today.
Of course, they differ from each
Mileage | 2847 Meeting the ancestors, finding a level and tracking down a water leak
MG3
MG 3 StylePrice £9999 Price as tested £10,685 Economy
40.2mpg Faults Water leak from driver’s door.
Expenses None Last seen: 17.9.14
other a lot more than this. The MG3 isa fair bit bigger, not least because it’sscaled to compete in the superminisegment above city cars and becauseit carries a modern complement ofcrash protection kit — although it onlymanaged to score a below-par threestars in the Euro NCAP impact tests.
The MG3 is also only part-built in theUK. Much of it arrives pre-assembled,painted and furnished from China —and with a load more kit than a 1963
Mini owner could dream of.It includes such things asreclining seats, a heated rearwindow, central locking andairbags, most of which havebeen standard on cars fordecades. It has a Bluetoothlink to your mobile phone,too, which in the Mini’s daywas barely the stuff of aJames Bond movie, nevermind a budget car.
However, one habit Ithought the MG appeared tobe sharing with its ancientfactory stablemate was a
THE LOG BOOK
MG3 steers tidilybut without Mini
standards of feel
Sat-nav cradle still wobbles and fouls its roll-top lid
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVMileage 9188 Last seen 22.10.14I’ve written about the PHEV’s quality
bugbears before, but they’re not
getting any less buggy. There’s a
peristent rattle inside the header rail
and I can’t walk away from the car
without tutting at the fading door
mirror paint. Now it has a powertrain
to be proud of, MMC should improve
on this stuff urgently. MS
Jaguar F-type R coupéMileage 4750 Last seen 22.10.14This week our Jag was borrowed
by our colleagues on Practical
Motorhome to go face to face with
the world’s fastest motorhome — a
300bhp Fiat Doblo, built by Creation
Campers. Fortunately, the F-type
kept its dignity and outpaced it,
causing yet another person to reach
for the superlatives. On this occasion,
“astonishing”. CH
BMW Alpina D3Mileage 4980One of the reasons I love the D3 is for
the quiet approval it receives from
people who know their cars. People
who don’t know their cars think it’s
just another BMW with a spoiler;
those who do want to know if it’s as
good as it is cracked up to be. I tell
them that however good they think
it might be, double it and add 20 and
you might be close. SS
liking for oil. When I checked the level recently, it had dropped slightly; when I checked it again the other day, I was pleased to see it was at maximum. I hadn’t used the MG for a week, whereas when I had checked it the first time the engine had run the previous day, so I guess the lubricant takes a long time to sink back down into the sump.
Aside from the inadequacies of the aftermarket sat-nav mounting (it shakes and doesn’t fold away) and the appearance of a water leak from the top of the driver’s door, which allowed a couple of drops into the cabin during a wet and blustery drive, it’s all I have to report. The door fits accurately and the seal is of the modern fat and soft variety, but maybe it’s not fat enough. Winter will doubtless reveal whether this is a freakish one-off, or not. [email protected]
A showroom-condition example willset you back £30,000, which isn’tunreasonable in the current market
The Viper may not be the most polished sports car but it’s fast, fun and reliable, says Lewis Kingston
“Loud, uncompromising, eye-catching and obscenely fast” was how we described the original Dodge Viper RT/10 in our
original road test in 1992. With a 400bhp V10, a six-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and no driver aids, the Viper was a raw and exciting car.
It could dispatch the 0-60mph sprint in just 4.5sec and hit a top speed of 165mph, which is fast even by today’s standards. A showroom-condition example will set you back upwards of £30,000 in the current market, which isn’t unreasonable for an increasingly collectable car that offers supercar performance and dramatic looks.
One of the most appealing aspects of Viper ownership, however, is the
Chris Graham, owner of Chris Graham American & Specialist Cars (chrisgrahamcorvettes.co.uk, 01270 780 232). “They’re easy to work on and maintain.”
The only really major problem to keep an eye out for on first-generation Vipers is the head gaskets. They were made from a low-quality material that degrades with age and usage, and can fail. They were later redesigned and the problem eradicated, so if a car’s had the repair carried out then it shouldn’t reappear, although some high-mileage Vipers that have been well maintained have never suffered any issues.
Nevertheless, if you can smell coolant
or there are signs of head gasket failure — coolant or oil leaks from around the heads, oil and water mixing, overheating — then you’ll need to budget around £1400 to have the problem resolved.
Another potential problem is a loose crankshaft damper bolt. Fortunately, correcting this is a simple case of applying thread-locking compound and retorquing the bolt to 250lb ft — and it won’t need looking at ever again.
Slow or troublesome starting is usually a failure of the check valve integrated into the fuel pump. If you turn the key, let the fuel pump prime and then turn the key back, and then repeat this process a few times and the car fires up immediately afterwards, the valve is at fault. Fortunately you can build a small control box to simulate this cycle, and easily fit it, rather than having to replace the fuel pump assembly.
A rattling good snake DODGE VIPER RT/10 FROM £30,000
Regular servicing is a must sinceVipers can be hard on their fluids, so oilchanges should be every 6000 miles orannually. It’s also worth looking to seewhen the Viper’s coolant was changed,as it should be refreshed ever few years.If there’s no evidence of a brake fluid,gearbox or differential fluid change, itmight be an idea to refresh these, too.
Otherwise, there’s little to look foron the mechanical front beyond wearand tear. Make sure the clutch operatesin a smooth, noise-free fashion andwith a comparatively light action, andthat there are no odd noises from thedrivetrain or suspension.
Inside, besides looking for damagedtrim that could be hard to replace, checkout the centre armrest. If it’s creased,it means the underlying support hascracked. It can be repaired, though, andan aftermarket brace is available.
Because there aren’t many Vipersin the UK, specialists and suppliersare few and far between. Bedford-based US Automotive (01234 273155,usautomotive.co.uk) does offer someparts off the shelf, however. In the US,companies such as Parts Rack cansupply virtually everything you mightneed (viperpartsrack.com, 001 360 8373937). Tuning options are myriad as well.
There can, however, be unforeseenproblems with some cars. “You mightget a history check on an Americanimport here in the UK and it’ll come upfine,” says Graham. “Get a check for it inAmerica, however, and it’ll be far from it.
“You need to get a Carfax checkfrom the States. I checked a Corvetterecently; it came up clear in the UK butit had been crashed twice in America –lightly first, then much more heavily thesecond time around.”L
The Dodge Viper isn’t without issues but by and large they’re robust cars and relatively cheap to run
Price £25,000 (1992, 26,000 miles)
Good condition Viper with new tyres, low mileage and an MOT until next May. It was a Cat D write-off in 2005 due to glassfibre damage but has been professionally repaired.Call 07971 402872
Price £34,995 (1994, 8086 miles)
Red Viper in stunning condition with ultra-low miles and a grey leather interior. One owner from new, dry stored for many years. Dealer sale, delivery available. Call 01252 299220
Welcome, then, to part two of ‘How to buy a car for a first-time or teenage driver’. (See last week for part one.) I can still hear the
shouts of “It’s all about the insurance, stupid”, but it isn’t because the priority has to be about buying the right car.
Now, you would think that the best policy would always be to buy something older and pre-dented. Dents are going to happen, and surely older motors are cheaper to cover, aren’t they? Not at all. Because teens are more likely to have prangs, it seems that all the modern safety kit makes a difference when it comes to insurance. That didn’t stop me looking at a few MOT marginals with my teen, though.
However, rust was making a comeback, the engines were rattly and the interiors needed a major fumigation. The point is that these were not the cars for me, and that changes everything.
So the next stop was a main dealer. I think that it was the shock of seeing a Toyota Yaris with a towbar that made me think twice. It was also a bit less than clean inside. And apart from the Yaris,
they had nothing else for a first-timer that fitted the bill.
Further down motor trade alley was a Ford dealer but they had almost no Kas or Fiestas that were even remotely first-time fodder, which shocked me. And I don’t mean £995 examples, but the half-decent £5995 Kas or Fiestas which were nowhere to be seen. So the teen andI took a diversion via the Kia showroom.Here there were affordables, but the badge didn’t inspire the youngster.
So what have we learned? Main dealers have approved used schemesthat look good on paper but don’t always translate into sales on the forecourt. Dealers don’t have the space or the inclination to sell older cars.
Hence, the pleasant Volkswagen dealer with a bunch of nearly new cars wasn’t going to get any business from us.
All the teen wanted was a black Volkswagen Polo. So where did we go? An independent dealer, with a couple of few-owner, full-history runarounds to choose from, where
we bought a Polo. So far, it has proved to be pretty much perfect. It feels like a proper grown-up car and isn’t a cheap, tacky, built-to-a-price sub-1.0-litre car with too much plastic, no legroom and rear windows that flap open.
For us, then, a Polo is the ultimate first-time car. The point and beauty of used cars is that for you it could well be something different.
James Ruppert
PERFORMANCE AAACC
The 2.5-litre V6 gets to 60mph in 8.3sec and the 2.0-litre four-pot isn’t much slower
PRACTICALITY AAAAC
Bags of room inside. Big boot; even bigger estate
PRICE AAAAC
£295 for MOT’d runner, £2000 for Zetec 2.0 TDCi
Collectors’ card No 16
FORD MONDEO (2000-2006)
VERDICT An awful lot of car for hardly any
money. Well equipped, refined, comfortable and
tical. Millions to choose from, too.
Because teens are more likely to have prangs, all the modern safety kit makes a difference when it comes to insurance
US DILEMMA: BMW Z3You have a Sunbeam Alpine, but that would break down, and a
Toyota 2000GT is priceless. That leaves the adequate Z3, which gets
more exciting with a 3.0 under that long bonnet. Now very affordable.
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE THIS WEEKA 2002 Honda Civic for sale at £2000. That sounds expensive but these
cars are reliable, comfy and practical — and you can’t put a price on that.
Get £5k off Vauxhall’s V8 saloonIf you fancy the idea of a BMW M5, but not theidea of dropping £74k on one, you might wantto consider Vauxhall’s VXR8 GTS. Usually, theV8-engined GTS costs £54,499, but we foundan online broker offering new ones for £49,883.
The GTS might not quite have the sheerstraight-line pace or the overall refinementof the BMW, but it’s a fast, charismatic andcomfortable super-saloon.
DEALS
US
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5 NOVEMBER 2014 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 75
Owners of high-end cars are beingtold to take additional security measures as a new wave of car crime hits the UK
Figures reported by the Metropolitan Police show that high-end models including the Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport, BMW X3 and 3-series are being targeted by criminal gangs who are using reprogrammed key fobs to steal the cars before selling them on in eastern Europe.
The keyless ignition systems common on these vehicles can be ‘hacked’ using a combination of manufacturer security data and a reprogrammable key fob.
It’s not clear where the crooks
are acquiring manufacturer securitydata but security updates and key reprogramming tools are legally available to the automotive aftermarket under Block Exemption rules.
Once stolen, the cars are either sold on as complete vehicles or, more commonly, broken up for parts.
Matt Warner, head of high net worth insurance at brokers Alan & Thomas, which deals with high-end vehicles, says the problem is fuelled by demand from outside the UK: “There’s a big market for high-end vehicles. Generally when we see high-value vehicles going missing they are going to eastern Europe and potentially down into Africa.”
The problem is being made worse bythe complexity of tracing and recovering the stolen cars. “Most vehicles will have a tracker fitted,” says Warner. “Once the tracking company is notified, the police can zero in fairly quickly. However, once a couple of hours have passed, thieves have usually located and removed the tracking device.”
Land Rover says it’s looking at the issue, which has been known to the industry for a number of years. “We are taking this very seriously,” said a spokesman. “We are collaborating with insurance bodies and police forces to solve this evolving problem.”DARREN MOSS
CAUGHT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS More quality used cars and cherished numbers on p95 | To advertise here, call 020 8267 5706
High-end cars in high-tech thefts
What is it?A collection of true stories about notable barn finds, the motoring equivalent of uncovering a Picasso in a neglected attic. Each chapter covers the story of one barn find.
Why do we like it?It tells the tales of an eclectic mix of cars, ranging from classics like the Porsche 914 to rarities such as the Cunningham C3. Each is illustrated, too, in some cases allowing you to see remarkable transformations from scrap to show-car.
Is it worth it?The book provides some interesting insight into just what’s out there but some may find its enduring appeal low and end up just flicking through what’s effectively a series of similar tales. You’ll pay £16.59 for a hardcover version. LK
4.7 V8 £98995 420 2994.7 V8 S £110700 430 2995.9 V12 £150000 510 388DB9 VOLANTE 2dr open Facelift a big improvementdynamically AAACC
5.9 V12 £141995 470 333DB9 2dr coupç Enchanting looks, but ride is choppy.Manual the best AAACC
5.9 V12 £131995 470 333VANQUISH 2dr coupé A British supercar for Britishroads. Looks the business, too AAAAC 5.9 V12 £189995 565 335
AUDI
A1 3dr hatch Audi’s answer to the Mini. Fun and refinedAAAAC
1.2 TFSI 86 S line Style Edit £18450 84 118 121.4 TFSI 122 S Line Style Edit £18860 121 124 181.6 TDI 105 S line Style Editi £19510 103 99 161.2 TFSI 86 SE £14115 84 118 91.2 TFSI 86 Sport £15955 84 118 91.2 TFSI 86 S line £17500 84 118 91.4 TFSI 122 Sport £16365 121 124 151.4 TFSI 122 Sport auto £17815 121 119 151.4 TFSI 122 S line £17910 121 124 161.4 TFSI 122 S line auto £19360 121 122 161.4 TFSI 140 Sport ACT £17215 138 109 211.4 TFSI 140 S line ACT £18760 138 109 211.4 TFSI 140 Black Edition ACT £20010 138 109 221.4 TFSI 185 S line auto £21420 182 139 281.4 TFSI 185 Black Edition aut £22670 121 139 282.0 TFSI 231 S1 £24905 228 162 331.6 TDI 105 SE £15175 103 99 141.6 TDI 105 Sport £17015 103 99 141.6 TDI 105 S line £18560 103 99 152.0 TDI 143 Sport £18640 141 108 212.0 TDI 143 S line £20185 141 108 212.0 TDI 143 Black Edition £21435 141 108 21A1 5dr sportback Rear doors add convenience to anattractive package AAAAC
1.2 TFSI 86 S line Style Editi £19070 84 118 121.4 TFSI 122 S line Style Edit £19480 121 126 181.4 TFSI 140 Black Edition ACT £20630 138 113 221.4 TFSI 140 S line ACT £19380 138 113 211.4 TFSI 140 Sport ACT £17835 138 109 211.4 TFSI 185 Black Edition £23290 182 139 291.6 TDI 105 S line Style Editi £20130 103 99 162.0 TDI 143 Black Edition £22055 141 108 221.2 TFSI 86 SE £14735 84 118 91.2 TFSI 86 Sport £16575 84 118 91.2 TFSI 86 S line £18120 84 118 91.4 TFSI 122 Sport £16985 121 126 151.4 TFSI 122 S line £18530 121 126 161.4 TFSI 185 S line £22040 182 139 282.0 TFSI 231 S1 £25635 228 166 331.6 TDI 105 SE £15795 103 99 141.6 TDI 105 Sport £17635 103 99 141.6 TDI 105 S line £19180 103 99 152.0 TDI 143 Sport £19260 141 108 212.0 TDI 143 S line £20805 141 108 21A3 3dr hatch Classy interior, stable handling and goodengines. Second only to the Golf AAAAC 1.2 TFSI 110 SE £18575 108 114 142.0 TDI 184 quattro S line £29905 148 124 262.0 TDI 184 quattro Sport £27755 148 124 262.0 TDI 184 S line £26995 148 108 282.0 TDI 184 Sport £24845 148 108 272.0 TFSI 300 quattro S3 £30940 296 162 361.2 TFSI 110 Sport £19975 108 114 141.2 TFSI 110 S line £22125 108 114 151.4 TFSI 125 SE £19875 123 117 161.4 TFSI 125 Sport £21275 123 117 161.4 TFSI 125 S line £23425 123 117 161.4 TFSI 150 SE ACT £20725 148 109 211.4 TFSI 150 Sport ACT £22125 148 109 211.4 TFSI 150 S line ACT £24275 148 109 211.8 TFSI 180 Sport £23905 178 135 231.8 TFSI 180 quattro Sport £26830 178 149 251.8 TFSI 180 S line £26055 178 135 241.8 TFSI 180 quattro S line £28980 178 149 251.6 TDI 110 SE £20825 108 99 151.6 TDI 110 Sport £22225 108 99 151.6 TDI 110 S line £24375 108 99 162.0 TDI 150 SE £22175 148 106 212.0 TDI 150 Sport £23575 148 106 21
2.0 TDI 150 S line £25725 148 106A3 4dr saloon All the A3’s standard attributes in asaloon body. S3 great looking AAAAC 1.4 TFSI 150 ACT Sport £23295 148 109 211.6 TDI 110 S line £25545 108 99 161.8 TFSI 180 quattro S line £30150 178 149 251.8 TFSI 180 quattro Sport £28000 178 149 251.8 TFSI 180 Sport £25075 178 135 232.0 300 quattro S3 £33540 296 162 362.0 TDI 150 Sport £24745 148 105 211.4 TFSI 150 ACT S line £25445 148 109 211.8 TFSI 180 S line £27225 178 135 241.6 TDI 110 Sport £23395 108 99 152.0 TDI 150 S line £26895 148 105 21A3 5dr sportback Classy interior, stable handling andgood engines. Second only to the Golf AAAAC
1.4 TFSI 125 S line £24045 123 117 161.4 TFSI 125 Sport £21895 123 117 161.8 TFSI 180 quattro S line £29600 178 149 251.8 TFSI 180 S line £26675 178 135 241.8 TFSI 180 Sport £24525 178 135 232.0 TDI 150 S line £26345 148 106 212.0 TDI 150 SE £22795 148 106 212.0 TDI 150 Sport £24195 148 106 212.0 TDI 184 quattro S line £30525 175 124 262.0 TFSI 300 quattro S3 £31560 296 162 361.2 TFSI 110 SE £19195 108 114 141.2 TFSI 110 Sport £20595 108 114 141.2 TFSI 110 S line £22745 108 114 151.4 TFSI 125 SE £20495 123 117 161.4 TFSI 150 SE ACT £21345 148 109 211.4 TFSI 150 Sport ACT £22745 148 109 211.4 TFSI 150 S line ACT £24895 148 109 211.8 TFSI 180 quattro Sport £27450 178 149 251.6 TDI 110 SE £21445 108 99 161.6 TDI 110 Sport £22845 108 99 151.6 TDI 110 S line £24995 108 99 172.0 TDI 184 Sport £25465 175 110 272.0 TDI 184 quattro Sport £28375 175 124 262.0 TDI 184 S line £27615 175 110 28A3 CABRIOLET 2dr open A measured success, butthe usual sacrifices make it fun free AAAAC
1.4 TFSI 150 S line £29635 148 114 231.4 TFSI 150 SE £26085 148 114 221.4 TFSI 150 Sport £27485 148 114 231.8 TFSI 180 S line Au £32895 178 133 291.8 TFSI 180 Sport Au £30745 178 133 292.0 TDI 150 S line £31085 148 110 252.0 TDI 150 SE £27535 148 110 242.0 TDI 150 Sport £28935 148 110 251.8 TFSI 180 Sport £29265 178 140 291.8 TFSI 180 quattro Sport £32225 178 154 291.8 TFSI 180 S line £31415 178 140 311.8 TFSI 180 quattro S line £34375 178 154 321.6 TDI 110 SE £26185 108 104 171.6 TDI 110 Sport £27585 108 104 181.6 TDI 110 S line £29735 108 104 20A4 4dr saloon Offset pedals and unsettled ride disappoint. Still competent AAACC
2.0 TDI 150 Black Edition £31005 148 119 242.0 TDI 150 S line £29930 148 119 232.0 TDI 150 SE £28855 148 127 232.0 TDI 150 SE Technik £29855 148 127 232.0 TDI 177 SE Technik £29320 175 120 272.0 TFSI 225 quattro Black Edi £35275 222 155 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro S line £34200 222 155 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE £31645 222 155 322.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE Techni £32645 222 155 331.8 TFSI 120 SE £24385 118 151 191.8 TFSI 120 SE Technik £25385 118 151 191.8 TFSI 120 S line £26940 118 151 201.8 TFSI 120 Black Edition £28015 118 151 201.8 TFSI 170 SE £26000 168 134 251.8 TFSI 170 SE Technik £27000 168 134 241.8 TFSI 170 S line £28555 168 134 261.8 TFSI 170 Black Edition £29630 168 134 263.0 V6 333 S4 £39450 328 190 363.0 V6 333 S4 Black Edition £40525 328 190 362.0 TDIe 136 SE Technik £28300 134 112 232.0 TDIe 136 SE £27300 134 112 232.0 TDI 177 S line £30875 175 120 272.0 TDI 177 Black Edition £31950 175 120 282.0 TDI quattro 177 SE £29880 175 134 272.0 TDI quattro 177 SE Technik £30880 175 134 272.0 TDI quattro 177 S line £32435 175 134 272.0 TDI quattro 177 Black Edit £33510 175 134 283.0 TDI quattro 245 SE £35360 237 149 333.0 TDI quattro 245 S line £37915 237 149 333.0 TDI quattro 245 Black Edit £38990 237 149 34A4 AVANT 5dr estate More appealing than thesaloon. Still average AAABC
1.8 TFSI 170 SE Technik £28315 158 141 24
2.0 TDI 150 Black Edition £32305 148 124 242.0 TDI 150 S line £31230 148 124 232.0 TDI 150 SE £30155 148 129 232.0 TDI 150 SE Technik £31155 148 129 232.0 TDI 177 SE Technik £30620 175 126 272.0 TFSI 225 quattro Black Edi £36575 222 159 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro S line £35500 222 159 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE £32945 222 159 322.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE Techni £33945 222 159 333.0 TDI 245 quattro S line £39250 237 154 333.0 TDI 245 quattro SE £36695 237 154 333.0 TFSI 333 quattro S4 Blk Ed £41825 328 197 361.8 TFSI 120 SE £25685 118 154 191.8 TFSI 120 SE Technik £26685 118 154 191.8 TFSI 120 S line £28240 118 154 201.8 TFSI 120 Black Edition £29315 118 154 201.8 TFSI 170 SE £27315 158 141 251.8 TFSI 170 S line £29870 158 141 261.8 TFSI 170 Black Edition £30945 158 141 263.0 TFSI 333 quattro S4 £40750 328 197 364.2 V8 RS4 £56545 444 249 412.0 TDIe 136 SE £28600 134 116 232.0 TDIe 136 SE Technik £29600 134 116 232.0 TDI 177 S line £32175 175 126 272.0 TDI 177 Black Edition £33250 175 126 282.0 TDI 177 quattro SE £31180 175 139 272.0 TDI 177 quattro SE Technik £32180 175 139 272.0 TDI 177 quattro S line £33735 175 139 272.0 TDI 177 quattro Black Edit £34810 175 139 283.0 TDI 245 quattro Black Edit £40325 237 154 34A4 ALLROAD 5dr estate Rugged 4x4 A4. Pricey AAACC
2.0 TFSI 225 quattro £33950 222 164 332.0 TDI 177 quattro £32235 175 153 273.0 TDI V6 245 quattro £37700 242 161 33A5 5dr sportback Refined four door coupe, but shorton charm or finesse AAABC
1.8 TFSI 170 Black Edition £32615 168 136 271.8 TFSI 170 SE Technik £29900 168 136 272.0 TDI 150 £30100 148 127 242.0 TDI 150 Black Edition £35935 148 127 242.0 TDI 150 S line £34860 148 127 242.0 TDI 150 SE £31870 148 127 232.0 TDI 150 SE Technik £33220 148 127 232.0 TDI 177 Black Edition £34885 175 120 282.0 TDI 177 quattro Black Edit £36540 175 134 282.0 TDI 177 quattro S line £35465 175 134 282.0 TDI 177 quattro SE £32475 175 134 272.0 TDI 177 quattro SE Technik £33825 175 134 272.0 TDI 177 SE Technik £32170 175 120 282.0 TDIe 136 £28195 138 117 232.0 TDIe 136 S line £32265 138 117 242.0 TDIe 136 SE £29965 138 117 232.0 TDIe 136 SE Technik £31315 138 117 242.0 TFSI 225 quattro Black Edi £37325 222 152 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro S line £36250 222 152 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE £33260 222 152 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE Techni £34610 222 152 333.0 TDI 204 Black Edition £38485 201 129 303.0 TDI 245 quattro Black Edit £42010 242 149 353.0 TFSI 333 quattro S5 Black £43940 328 179 411.8 TFSI 170 £26780 168 136 261.8 TFSI 170 SE £28550 168 136 261.8 TFSI 170 S line £31540 168 136 273.0 TFSI 333 quattro S5 £42865 328 179 402.0 TDI 177 £29050 175 120 272.0 TDI 177 SE £30820 175 120 272.0 TDI 177 S line £33810 175 120 283.0 TDI 204 S line £37410 201 129 303.0 TDI 245 quattro S line £40935 242 149 34A5 2dr coupé High class, good looking coupe. V8 S5coupe better than V6 Cab AAAAC
1.8 TFSI 170 Black Edition £32865 168 134 271.8 TFSI 170 S line £31790 168 134 272.0 TFSI 225 quattro Black Edi £37575 222 152 342.0 TFSI 225 quattro S line £36500 222 152 332.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE £33910 222 152 331.8 TFSI 170 SE £29200 168 134 273.0 TFSI 333 S5 £43665 328 178 413.0 TFSI 333 S5 Black Edition £44740 328 178 424.2 V8 RS5 £59870 444 246 452.0 TDI 163 ultra SE £31470 161 109 282.0 TDI 177 SE £31470 175 120 282.0 TDI 177 S line £34060 175 120 292.0 TDI 177 Black Edition £35135 175 120 292.0 TDI 177 quattro SE £33125 175 134 282.0 TDI 177 quattro S line £35715 175 134 282.0 TDI 177 quattro Black Edit £36790 175 134 293.0 TDI 204 S line £37660 201 129 303.0 TDI 204 Black Edition £38735 201 129 303.0 TDI 245 quattro S line £41185 242 149 353.0 TDI 245 quattro Black Ed’ £42260 242 149 35
For full reviews of every car listed here, visit our website, autocar.co.uk
CCCCC 0-20% Inherently dangerous/unsafe. Tragically, irredeemably flawed.BCCCC 20-35% Appalling. Massively significant failings.ACCCC 35-50% Very poor. Fails to meet any accepted class boundaries.ABCCC 50-60% Poor. Within acceptable class boundaries in a few areas. Still not recommendable.AACCC 60-65% Off the pace. Below average in nearly all areas.AABCC 65-70% Acceptable. About average in key
areas, but disappoints.AAACC 70-75% Competent. Above average in some areas, average in others. Outstanding in none.AAABC 75-80% Good. Competitive in key areas.AAAAC 80-85% Very good. Very competitive in key areas, competitive in secondary respects.AAAAB 85-92% Excellent. Near class leading in key areas, and in some ways outstanding. AAAAA >93% Brilliant, unsurpassed. All but flawless.
Any car that has had a full Autocar road test is highlighted in yellow.
A5 CABRIOLET 2dr open Appealing. Lowerpowered, steel sprung trim’s best AAABC
1.8 TFSI 170 S line £35570 168 143 291.8 TFSI 170 S line Special Ed £36695 168 143 292.0 TDI 150 S line £37395 148 124 272.0 TDI 150 S line Special Edi £38520 148 124 272.0 TDI 150 SE £34145 148 124 272.0 TDI 177 S line Special Edi £38950 175 127 302.0 TFSI 225 quattro S line £41745 222 159 372.0 TFSI 225 quattro S line Sp £42870 222 159 372.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE £38495 222 159 372.0 TFSI 225 S line £38705 222 148 362.0 TFSI 225 S line Special Ed £39830 222 148 362.0 TFSI 225 SE £35455 222 148 353.0 TDI 204 S line Special Edi £42680 201 138 343.0 TDI 245 quattro S line Spe £46110 242 154 401.8 TFSI 170 SE £32320 168 143 283.0 TFSI 333 S5 £46770 328 184 424.2 V8 RS5 £69505 444 249 472.0 TDI 177 SE £34575 175 127 292.0 TDI 177 S line £37825 175 127 303.0 TDI 204 S line £41555 201 138 333.0 TDI 245 quattro S line £44985 242 154 39A6 4dr saloon 2.0 TDi very dull. Otherwise a competentsaloon AAAAC
2.0 TDI 177 Black Edition £35010 175 129 272.0 TFSI 245 Hybrid £43980 245 145 323.0 BiTDI 313 quattro Black Ed £49200 309 166 393.0 BiTDI 313 quattro S line £47025 309 166 393.0 TDI 204 Black Edition £39740 201 139 303.0 TDI 204 quattro Black Edit £42915 201 149 333.0 TDI 204 quattro S line £40740 201 149 333.0 TDI 204 quattro SE £38390 201 149 323.0 TDI 245 quattro Black Edit £44490 242 156 374.0 TFSI 420 S6 £54520 414 225 422.0 TDI 177 SE £30985 175 129 262.0 TDI 177 S line £32835 175 129 272.0 TDI 190 Ultra SE £32515 187 114 262.0 TDI 190 Ultra S line £34365 187 114 263.0 TDI 204 SE £35215 201 139 303.0 TDI 204 S line £37565 201 139 303.0 TDI 245 quattro SE £39965 242 156 363.0 TDI 245 quattro S line £42315 242 156 363.0 BiTDI 313 quattro SE £44675 309 166 38A6 AVANT 5dr estate A capable stress buster, butnot the enthusiasts’ choice AAABC
2.0 TDI 177 Black Edition £37140 175 132 273.0 BiTDI 313 quattro Black Ed £51200 309 166 393.0 BiTDI 313 quattro S line £49025 309 166 393.0 TDI 204 Black Edition £41740 201 139 303.0 TDI 204 quattro Black Edit £44950 201 152 333.0 TDI 204 quattro S line £42775 201 152 333.0 TDI 204 quattro SE £40425 201 152 323.0 TDI 245 quattro Black Edit £46490 242 156 374.0 TFSI 560 RS6 £77005 552 229 484.0 TFSI 420 S6 £56745 414 226 422.0 TDI 177 SE £33115 175 132 262.0 TDI 177 S line £34965 175 132 273.0 TDI 204 SE £37215 201 139 303.0 TDI 204 S line £39565 201 139 303.0 TDI 245 quattro SE £41965 242 156 363.0 TDI 245 quattro S line £44315 242 156 363.0 BiTDI 313 quattro SE £46675 309 166 38A6 ALLROAD 5dr estate Rugged 4x4 A6. Even morepricey AAACC
3.0 TDI 204 quattro £43810 201 159 313.0 TDI 245 quattro £45350 241 165 363.0 BiTDI 313 quattro £50115 308 176 41A7 SPORTBACK 5dr hatch A good mix of luxury,practicality and driver reward AAAAC
3.0 BiTDI 313 quattro Black Ed £56800 309 166 423.0 BiTDI 313 quattro S line £54450 309 166 423.0 BiTDI 313 quattro SE £52660 309 166 423.0 TDI 204 £41175 201 135 333.0 TDI 204 quattro Black Edit £50585 201 152 363.0 TDI 204 quattro S line £48235 201 152 363.0 TDI 204 quattro SE £46445 201 152 353.0 TDI 245 quattro Black Edit £53155 242 156 413.0 TFSI 310 quattro Black Edi £53260 296 190 413.0 TFSI 310 quattro SE £49120 296 190 403.0 TFSI 310 quattro S line £50910 296 190 414.0 TFSI 420 S7 £62345 414 225 434.0 TFSI RS7 £83515 552 229 473.0 TDI 204 SE £44765 201 135 333.0 TDI 204 S line £46555 201 135 343.0 TDI 245 SE quattro £49015 242 156 403.0 TDI 245 S line quattro £50805 242 156 41A8 4dr saloon Stylish, comfortable and solid. Aconvincing exec saloon AAAAC
3.0 TDI 258 quattro SE Exec £61410 247 155 462.0 TFSI 245 Hybrid £63505 208 144 42
2.0 TFSI 245 Hybrid L £67470 208 146 433.0 TFSI 310 quattro SE Exec £63515 309 183 463.0 TFSI 310 quattro Sport Exe £67115 308 183 464.0 TFSI 435 quattro SE Exec L £75385 429 216 494.0 TFSI 435 quattro Sport Exe £78985 429 216 494.0 TFSI 520 S8 £79915 513 225 496.3 W12 500 quattro L £97325 493 264 503.0 TDI 258 quattro SE £58805 254 155 463.0 TDI 258 quattro SE L £62770 254 158 463.0 TDI 258 quattro SE Exec L £65375 247 158 463.0 TDI 258 quattro Sport Exec £65010 254 155 463.0 TDI 258 quattro Sport Ex L £68975 254 158 474.2 TDI 385 quattro SE Exec £72015 380 194 504.2 TDI 385 quattro SE Ex L £75980 346 197 504.2 TDI 385 quattro Sport Exec £75615 380 194 504.2 TDI 385 quattro Sport Ex L £79580 380 197 50Q3 5dr 4x4 Typically refined and competent, but feelsmore A3 than SUV AAABC
1.4 TFSI 150 S line £26625 138 137 201.4 TFSI 150 SE £23875 138 137 202.0 TDI 140 quattro S L Plus £32145 138 149 192.0 TDI 140 quattro S line £29795 138 149 182.0 TDI 140 quattro SE £27045 138 149 182.0 TDI 177 quattro S L Plus £33085 175 148 232.0 TDI 177 S line £29305 168 144 242.0 TDI 177 SE £26555 168 144 232.0 TFSI 170 quattro S L Plus £31840 168 174 242.0 TFSI 211 quattro S L Plus £34765 208 179 282.0 TFSI 170 quattro SE £26740 168 174 202.0 TFSI 170 quattro S line £29490 168 174 202.0 TFSI 211 quattro SE £29665 208 179 252.0 TFSI 211 quattro S line £32415 208 179 252.5 TFSI RS £43015 306 206 372.0 TDI 140 SE £25600 138 137 182.0 TDI 140 S line £28350 138 137 182.0 TDI 177 quattro SE £27985 175 148 212.0 TDI 177 quattro S line £30735 175 148 21Q5 5dr 4x4 Exceptionally good handling for an SUV, butvery compromised ride AAAAC
2.0 TFSI 180 quattro S line Pl £36270 178 174 292.0 TFSI 180 quattro SE £31370 178 174 282.0 TFSI 180 quattro S line £33770 178 174 292.0 TFSI 225 quattro SE £32720 222 174 292.0 TFSI 225 quattro S line £35120 222 174 292.0 TFSI 225 q’tro S line Plus £37620 222 174 302.0 TDI 150 quattro SE £31635 148 154 212.0 TDI 150 quattro S line £34035 148 154 212.0 TDI 150 quattro S line Plu £36535 148 154 222.0 TDI 177 quattro SE £32610 175 154 242.0 TDI 177 quattro S line £35010 175 154 252.0 TDI 177 q’ttro S line Plus £37510 175 154 253.0 TDI 245 quattro SE £38370 241 169 333.0 TDI 245 quattro S line £40770 241 169 343.0 TDI 245 q’ttro S line Plus £43270 241 169 343.0 BiTDI 313 SQ5 £44715 309 179 41Q7 5dr 4x4 Seven-seat SUV feels its bulk. A BMW X5 orLand Rover is better AAACC
3.0 TDI 204 S line Plus £50055 201 189 373.0 TDI 245 S line Plus £51485 237 195 413.0 TDI 245 S Line Sport Editi £54485 237 195 413.0 TDI 245 S Line Style Editi £52985 237 195 414.2 TDI 340 S line Plus £61120 335 242 464.2 TDI 340 S Line Sport Editi £64120 335 242 474.2 TDI 340 S Line Style Editi £62620 335 242 473.0 TDI 204 SE £43895 201 189 353.0 TDI 204 S line £45555 237 189 363.0 TDI 245 S line £46985 237 195 404.2 TDI 340 S line £56620 335 242 45TT 2dr coupé TT finds its mojo at last. Drive experiencenow an equal to the obvious prestige AAAAC
2.0 TFSI Sport £29860 228 1372.0 TFSI Sport quattro £32785 228 1492.0 TFSI S line £32410 228 1372.0 TFSI S line quattro £35335 228 1492.0 TDI ultra Sport £29770 181 1102.0 TDI ultra S line £32320 181 110R8 2dr coupé Usable, but no less involving and dramatic for it. V10 is brutal AAAAB
4.2 FSI 430 V8 £93735 424 332 505.2 FSI 525 V10 £114835 518 346 505.2 FSI 550 V10 Plus £126835 543 346 50R8 SPYDER 2dr open Great noise, and loses little ofthe coupe’s poise AAAAB
I3 5dr hatch Superb really, but pricey and not free fromthe usual electric car practicality issues AAAAC
i3 EV £30680 168 0 21i3 EV Range Extender £33830 168 13 211 SERIES 3dr hatch Measures up on space and comfort now. Still no 3 Series AAAAC 118i M Sport £24390 215 137 22118i Urban £22945 168 137 22114i ES £17775 101 127 12114i SE £18345 101 127 12114i Sport £19475 101 132 13114i Urban £19475 101 132 13116i ES £19325 134 125 17116i SE £19895 134 125 17116i Sport £21025 134 131 18116i M Sport £22470 134 131 18116i Urban £21025 134 131 18118i SE £21945 134 132 22118i Sport £22945 134 137 22125i M Sport £26025 215 154 30M135i £30845 315 188 39114d ES £19410 94 109 14114d SE £19980 94 109 14114d Sport £20980 94 112 15114d Urban £20980 94 112 15116d ES £20260 114 109 15116d SE £20830 114 109 15116d Sport £21830 114 114 16116d M Sport £23275 114 114 16116d Urban £21830 114 114 16116d EfficientDynamics £20830 114 99 15118d SE £21975 141 109 19118d Sport £22975 141 115 20118d M Sport £24420 141 115 20118d Urban £22975 141 115 20120d SE £23425 181 114 24120d Sport £24425 181 119 24120d M Sport £25870 181 119 24120d Urban £24425 181 119 24125d M Sport £27765 215 128 311 SERIES 5dr hatch Measures up on space and comfort now. Still no 3 Series AAAAC 116d Eff Dynamics Business £22760 114 99 15120d xDrive M Sport £27900 181 126 24120d xDrive Sport £26455 181 126 24120d xDrive Urban £26455 181 126 24114i ES £18305 101 127 12114i SE £18875 101 127 12114i Sport £20005 101 132 13114i Urban £20005 101 132 13116i ES £19855 134 125 17116i SE £20425 134 125 17116i Sport £21555 134 131 18116i M Sport £23000 134 131 18116i Urban £21555 134 131 18118i SE £22475 168 132 22118i Sport £23475 168 137 22118i Urban £23475 168 137 22118i M Sport £24920 168 137 22125i M Sport £26555 215 154 30M135i £31375 315 188 39114d ES £19940 94 109 14114d SE £20510 94 109 14114d Sport £21510 94 112 15114d Urban £21510 94 112 15116d ES £20790 114 109 15116d SE £21360 114 109 15116d Sport £22360 114 114 16116d M Sport £23805 114 114 16116d Urban £22360 114 114 16116d EfficientDynamics £21360 114 99 15118d SE £22505 141 109 19
118d Sport £23505 141 115 20118d M Sport £24950 141 115 20118d Urban £23505 141 115 20120d SE £23955 181 114 24120d xDrive SE £25455 181 123 23120d Sport £24955 181 119 24120d M Sport £26400 181 119 24120d Urban £24955 181 119 24125d M Sport £28295 215 128 312 SERIES 2dr coupé A proper compact coupé now.The M235i is one of the best BMWs period AAAAB
225d M Sport £31970 215 124 33220i SE £25045 215 148 25220i Sport £26045 215 148 25220i Modern £26045 215 148 25220i M Sport £27395 215 148 26M235i £34260 326 189 39218d SE £24265 141 119 20218d Sport £25265 141 119 20218d Modern £25265 141 119 20218d M Sport £26615 141 119 21220d SE £25865 181 125 25220d Sport £26865 181 125 25220d Modern £26865 181 125 25220d M Sport £28215 181 125 252 SERIES ACTIVE TOURER 5dr mpv BMW’s front-drive hatch is a proper contender AAAAC 218i SE £22150 134 - -218i Sport £23375 134 - -218i Luxury £24125 134 -218d SE £24205 148 -218d Sport £25455 148 -218d Luxury £26205 1483 SERIES 4dr saloon A new standard. Almost flawlessin every regard AAAAA
320d EfficientDynamics Busines £30175 161 109 31320d xDrive SE £30275 181 128 30320i Efficient Dynamics Busine £27825 168 124 30325d Luxury £33075 218 129 36325d M Sport £33575 218 129 36325d Modern £31575 218 129 35325d SE £30575 218 129 35335d xDrive Luxury £41020 313 143 43335d xDrive M Sport £41520 313 143 43ActiveHybrid 3 Luxury £43185 306 139 39ActiveHybrid 3 M Sport £43685 306 139 39ActiveHybrid 3 SE £40685 306 139 38316i ES £23555 134 137 23316i SE £24405 134 137 23316i Sport £25405 134 137 23320i Efficient Dynamics £26425 168 124 28320i SE £26570 181 147 30320i Sport £27570 181 147 30320i Modern £27570 181 147 30320i Luxury £29070 181 147 31320i M Sport £29570 181 147 31320i xDrive SE £28105 181 159 30320i xDrive Sport £29105 181 159 30320i xDrive Modern £29105 181 159 30320i xDrive Luxury £30605 181 159 31320i xDrive M Sport £31105 181 159 31328i SE £29770 242 149 35328i Modern £30770 242 149 35328i Sport £30770 242 149 34328i Luxury £32270 242 149 36328i M Sport £32770 242 149 36335i Luxury £37760 302 186 38335i M Sport £38260 302 186 38316d ES £25575 114 118 20316d SE £26425 114 118 20316d Sport £27425 114 118 20318d SE £27675 141 118 24318d Sport £28675 141 118 24318d Modern £28675 141 118 24318d Luxury £30175 141 118 25318d M Sport £30675 141 118 25320d Efficient Dynamics £28775 161 109 31320d SE £28775 181 120 31320d Sport £29775 181 120 31320d Modern £29775 181 120 31320d Luxury £31275 181 120 32320d M Sport £31775 181 120 32320d xDrive Sport £31275 181 128 30320d xDrive Modern £31275 181 128 30320d xDrive Luxury £32775 181 128 31320d xDrive M Sport £33275 181 128 31330d SE £33975 255 129 38330d Modern £34975 255 129 38330d Luxury £36475 255 129 38330d M Sport £36975 255 129 38330d xDrive SE £35605 255 137 40330d xDrive Modern £36605 255 137 40
SupercarsAUTOCAR TOP FIVES
Ferrari 458 Italia From £178,000Possibly Ferrari’s greatest achievement. Scintillating natural ability interwoven with interactive technology. AAAAA
1
McLaren 650S From £195,000McLaren’s mainstay goes from convincing to utterly compelling. Better day to day than a 458 but not as special. AAAAB
2
Audi R8 V10 Plus From £126,000The V10 elevated the R8 into supercar territory; the 542bhp Plus model keeps it there — seven years after launch. AAAAC
3
Lamborghini Huracán From £180,000Conspicuous positioning here. The Huracán is dynamically inferior to the R8 but it is an evocative presence. AAAAC
4
Porsche 911 Turbo S From £140,000Stupendous supercar performance repackaged for everyday use. Stirs the blood intermittently when given space. AAAAC
330d xDrive Luxury £38105 255 137 41330d xDrive M Sport £38605 255 137 413 SERIES 5dr touring More of the same. Less of awow factor, but still as good as it gets AAAAB
316i ES £24870 136 143 23316i SE £25720 136 143 23316i Sport £26720 136 143 23320d EfficientDynamics £30075 161 112 31320d EfficientDynamics Busines £31475 161 112 31320d Sport £31075 181 125 31320d xDrive SE £31705 181 133 30320i SE £27905 181 152 30320i xDrive Luxury £31905 181 160 31320i xDrive M Sport £32405 181 160 31320i xDrive Modern £30405 181 160 30320i xDrive SE £29405 181 160 30320i xDrive Sport £30405 181 160 30325d Luxury £34505 215 134 36325d M Sport £35005 215 134 36325d Modern £33005 215 134 35325d SE £32005 215 134 35328i SE £31105 242 159 35328i Sport £32105 242 159 34330d xDrive SE £36920 255 142 40335d xDrive Luxury £42320 309 148 43335d xDrive M Sport £42815 309 148 43335i Luxury £39060 302 189 37335i M Sport £39560 302 189 38320i Sport £28905 181 152 30320i Modern £28905 181 152 30320i Luxury £30405 181 152 31320i M Sport £30905 181 152 31328i Modern £32105 242 159 35328i Luxury £33605 242 159 36328i M Sport £34105 242 159 36316d ES £26875 114 123 20316d SE £27725 114 123 20316d Sport £28725 114 123 20318d SE £28975 141 123 24318d Sport £29975 141 123 24318d Modern £29975 141 123 24318d Luxury £31475 141 123 25318d M Sport £31975 141 123 25320d SE £30075 181 125 31320d Modern £31075 181 125 31320d Luxury £32575 181 125 32320d M Sport £33075 181 125 32320d xDrive Sport £32705 181 133 30320d xDrive Modern £32705 181 133 30320d xDrive Luxury £34205 181 133 31320d xDrive M Sport £34705 181 133 31330d SE £35405 255 135 38330d Modern £36405 255 135 38330d Luxury £37905 255 135 38330d M Sport £38405 255 135 38330d xDrive Modern £37920 255 142 40330d xDrive Luxury £39420 255 142 41330d xDrive M Sport £39920 255 142 413 SERIES GT 5dr hatch Hatchback practicalitymeets 3 Series talent. Duller but decentAAAAC
330d xDrive M Sport £40765 258 142 34318d M Sport £32825 141 122 25318d SE £30575 141 119 24320i M Sport £31455 181 156 31320i SE £29205 181 153 31320i xDrive Luxury £32705 181 164 31320i xDrive M Sport £33065 181 167 31320i xDrive SE £30705 181 164 31320i xDrive Sport £31705 181 164 31328i SE £32405 242 156 35320i Sport £30205 181 153 31320i Luxury £31205 181 153 31328i Sport £33405 242 156 36328i Luxury £34405 242 156 36328i M Sport £34655 242 158 36335i Luxury £39860 302 188 38335i M Sport £40110 302 189 38318d Sport £31575 141 119 24318d Luxury £32575 141 119 24320d SE £31675 181 129 30320d Sport £32675 181 129 30320d Luxury £33675 181 129 30320d M Sport £34055 181 131 30325d SE £33605 215 134 34325d Luxury £35605 215 134 34325d M Sport £35855 215 137 34330d SE £37000 258 136 34330d Luxury £39000 258 136 34330d M Sport £39250 258 136 34330d xDrive SE £38515 258 142 34330d xDrive Luxury £39000 258 142 34
335d xDrive Luxury £43415 313 142335d xDrive M Sport £43665 313 1494 SERIES 2dr coupé More talented GT than brilliantB road steer. Very comely thoughAAAAC 430d M Sport £40245 255 132 40420i SE £29425 181 144 30420i Sport £30925 181 144 30420i Modern £30925 181 144 30420i Luxury £31925 181 144 30420i M Sport £32425 181 147 30420i xDrive SE £30960 181 159 30420i xDrive Sport £32460 181 159 30420i xDrive Modern £32460 181 159 30420i xDrive Luxury £33460 181 159 31420i xDrive M Sport £33960 181 162 31428i SE £32820 242 154 33428i Sport £34320 242 154 33428i Modern £34320 242 154 33428i Luxury £35320 242 154 34428i M Sport £35820 242 156 34435i Luxury £41025 302 185 36435i M Sport £41665 302 189 36M4 £56650 425 204 42420d SE £31795 181 124 29420d Sport £33295 181 124 30420d Modern £33295 181 124 30420d Luxury £34295 181 124 30420d M Sport £34795 181 127 30420d xDrive SE £33295 181 126 29420d xDrive Sport £34795 181 126 29420d xDrive Modern £34795 181 126 29420d xDrive Luxury £35795 181 126 29420d xDrive M Sport £36295 181 129 29430d Luxury £39615 255 129 40435d xDrive Luxury £44545 308 143 41435d xDrive M Sport £45045 308 146 414 SERIES 2dr open A quality product to be sure, butsome of the verve has gone AAABC
420d Luxury £39180 181 133 31420d M Sport £39680 181 138 31420d SE £36680 181 133 30420d Sport £38180 181 133 30428i Luxury £39520 242 159 36428i M Sport £40020 242 163 37428i SE £37020 242 159 36428i Sport £38520 242 159 36430d M Sport £44995 255 144 30435i Luxury £44980 302 190 39435i M Sport £45480 302 195 39420i SE £34205 181 159 36420i Sport £35705 181 159 36420i Luxury £35705 181 159 36420i M Sport £37205 181 159 36425d SE £38535 218 142 30425d Sport £40035 218 142 30425d Luxury £40035 218 142 30425d M Sport £41550 218 142 30430d Luxury £44480 255 144 30435d xDrive Luxury £48395 308 155 30435d xDrive M Sport £48895 308 155 304 SERIES GRAN COUPE 4dr saloon A prettier 3Series. Very good, but not better. AAAAC
420d M Sport £34795 181 128 30420d xDrive SE £33295 181 129 29420i SE £29425 181 149 29420i Sport £30925 181 149 29420i Luxury £31925 181 149 29420i M Sport £32460 181 153 30420i xDrive SE £30960 181 161 30420i xDrive Sport £32460 181 161 30420i xDrive Luxury £33460 181 161 30420i xDrive M Sport £33960 181 164 31428i SE £32820 245 154 33428i Sport £34320 245 154 34428i Luxury £35320 245 154 34428i M Sport £35820 245 156 34435i Luxury £41165 306 189 36435i M Sport £41665 306 193 36418d SE £30995 141 121 23418d Sport £32495 141 121 24418d Luxury £33495 141 121 24418d M Sport £33995 141 124 24420d SE £31795 181 124 29420d Sport £33295 181 124 29420d Luxury £34295 181 124 30420d xDrive Sport £34795 181 129 30420d xDrive Luxury £35795 181 129 30420d xDrive M Sport £36425 181 133 30430d Luxury £39745 255 134 39430d M Sport £40245 255 138 40430d xDrive Luxury £41245 255 140 39
430d xDrive M Sport £41760 255 144 39435d xDrive Luxury £44545 308 146 41435d xDrive M Sport £45045 308 149 415 SERIES 4dr saloon No longer a handling benchmark. Superb interior AAAAC
530d Luxury £43855 241 139 43535i M Sport £44615 302 179 42520i SE £33005 181 149 36520i Luxury £35840 181 154 37520i M Sport £35840 181 159 37528i SE £36570 242 142 40528i Luxury £39370 242 147 41528i M Sport £39405 242 152 41535i Luxury £44560 302 174 42550i Luxury £57610 402 199 46550i M Sport £57910 402 206 46ActiveHybrid 5 SE £47790 335 149 44ActiveHybrid 5 Luxury £48825 335 159 44ActiveHybrid 5 M Sport £50625 335 163 444.4 V8 M5 £73960 552 232 48518d SE £30265 141 114 30518d Luxury £33065 141 119 31518d M Sport £33065 141 124 31520d SE £31965 181 114 33520d Luxury £34765 181 119 34520d M Sport £34765 181 124 34525d SE £36855 215 129 39525d Luxury £39785 215 134 40525d M Sport £39785 215 139 40530d SE £41055 241 134 43530d M Sport £43870 241 144 43535d Luxury £48520 308 143 45535d M Sport £48520 308 148 455 SERIES TOURING 5dr estate Great overallpackage. 520d the best AAAAC
518d M Sport £35390 141 127 31530d Luxury £46195 241 144 43535d Luxury £50845 308 149 45535i Luxury £46940 302 179 42535i M Sport £46940 302 179 42520i SE £35365 181 157 36520i Luxury £38165 181 162 37520i M Sport £38165 181 162 37528i SE £38895 242 149 40528i Luxury £41730 242 154 41528i M Sport £41730 242 154 41518d SE £32590 141 122 30518d Luxury £35390 141 127 31520d SE £34290 181 122 33520d Luxury £37090 181 127 34520d M Sport £37090 181 127 34525d SE £39310 215 136 39525d Luxury £42125 215 141 40525d M Sport £42125 215 141 40530d SE £43380 241 139 43530d M Sport £46195 241 144 43535d M Sport £50845 308 149 455 SERIES GT 5dr hatch Fine cabin, but only seatsfour. Poor ride and steering AAABC
530d SE £46965 241 153 43535i Luxury £49460 302 192 44535i M Sport £50260 302 192 44550i Luxury £59510 402 214 46550i M Sport £60460 402 214 46520d SE £38045 181 144 33520d Luxury £40845 181 144 34520d Modern £40045 181 144 34520d M Sport £40845 181 144 34530d Luxury £48965 241 153 44530d M Sport £49765 241 153 44535d Luxury £51885 295 154 46535d M Sport £52685 295 154 466 SERIES GRAN COUPE 4dr saloon Back doorproves a brilliant visual coup AAAAC
640i SE £62375 315 181 47640i M Sport £67040 315 183 48650i SE £71650 444 206 50650i M Sport £76150 444 206 50M6 £98145 552 232 50640d SE £64875 309 148 48640d M Sport £69540 309 149 496 SERIES 2dr coupé Great engines and interior. MoreGT than sports car AAAAC
640i SE £60630 315 179 47640i M Sport £65295 315 181 47650i SE £68970 402 206 49650i M Sport £73470 402 206 49M6 £94625 552 232 50640d SE £63130 309 144 48640d M Sport £67795 309 145 48
6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE 2dr open Great enginesand interior. More GT than sports car AAAAC
650i M Sport £79345 402 214 50640i SE £66760 315 183 50640i M Sport £71175 315 185 50650i SE £75100 402 214 50M6 £99825 552 239 50640d SE £69260 309 148 50640d M Sport £73675 309 149 507 SERIES 4dr saloon Refined and spacious, butbland. 760 gets sublime V12 AAAAC
ActiveHybrid 7 M £71475 459 158 48740i SE £61675 316 184 46740Li SE £64675 316 184 46740i M Sport £66950 316 184 46740Li M Sport £69950 316 184 47750i SE £71515 443 199 48750Li SE £74515 443 199 49750i M Sport £76790 443 199 49750Li M Sport £79790 443 199 49760Li SE £102015 537 314 50760Li M Sport £104260 537 314 50730d SE £58275 255 148 45730Ld SE £61375 255 148 46730d M Sport £63550 255 148 46730Ld M Sport £66650 255 148 46740d SE £65465 309 149 47740d M Sport £70740 309 149 48ActiveHybrid 7 SE £66200 459 158 47ActiveHybrid 7L SE £69300 459 158 48ActiveHybrid 7L M Sport £74575 459 158 48X1 5dr 4x4 Odd SUV best as rear wheel drive. Gooddrive, poor cabin finish AAAAC
xDrive 25d xLine £32540 215 154 26sDrive 20i SE £25760 181 162 27sDrive 20i Sport £26760 181 162 27sDrive 20i xLine £27760 181 165 27sDrive 20i M Sport £28770 181 165 28xDrive 20i SE £27280 181 176 28xDrive 20i Sport £28280 181 176 28xDrive 20i xLine £29280 181 179 28xDrive 20i M Sport £30280 181 179 28sDrive 16d SE £24230 114 128 18sDrive 16d Sport £25230 114 128 18sDrive 16d xLine £26230 114 128 18sDrive 18d SE £25330 141 128 22sDrive 18d Sport £26330 141 128 22sDrive 18d xLine £27330 141 128 22sDrive 18d M Sport £28330 141 128 22xDrive 18d SE £26830 141 144 22xDrive 18d Sport £27830 141 144 22xDrive 18d xLine £28830 141 144 22xDrive 18d M Sport £29830 141 144 22sDrive 20d Efficient Dynamics £26760 161 119 24sDrive 20d Eff. Dyn. Business £28160 181 119 24sDrive 20d SE £26760 181 129 24sDrive 20d Sport £27760 181 129 25sDrive 20d xLine £28760 161 129 25sDrive 20d M Sport £29760 181 129 25xDrive 20d SE £28260 181 145 24xDrive 20d Sport £29260 181 145 25xDrive 20d xLine £30260 181 145 25xDrive 20d M Sport £31260 181 145 25xDrive 25d M Sport £33540 215 154 27X3 5dr 4x4 New X3 has an appealingly organic driveand practical body AAAAC
sDrive 18d SE £30995 141 131 26xDrive20d SE £32995 181 143 30xDrive20d M Sport £35995 181 143 31xDrive20d xLine £34495 181 143 30xDrive30d SE £39795 255 156 39xDrive30d M Sport £42795 255 156 40xDrive30d xLine £41295 255 156 40xDrive35d M Sport £45395 308 157 43X4 5dr 4x4 Scaled down X6 styling atop an X3 platformworks well enough. Less practical, thoughAAAAC
xDrive20d SE £36595 187 143 31xDrive20d xLine £38090 187 143 31xDrive20d M Sport £39590 187 143 31xDrive30d xLine £44895 255 156 40xDrive30d M Sport £47403 255 156 40xDrive35d M Sport £48995 308 157 43X5 5dr 4x4 Decent dynamics, with cosseting cabin andbetter off road ability now. Avoid M50dAAAAC
xDrive50i SE £60165 402 224 49xDrive50i M Sport £64290 402 226 49sDrive25d SE £42945 215 149 41sDrive25d M Sport £46880 215 151 42xDrive25d SE £45250 215 154 42xDrive25d M Sport £49950 215 156 42xDrive30d SE £48250 241 156 44
xDrive30d M Sport £52950 241 158 45xDrive40d SE £50910 302 157 46xDrive40d M Sport £55610 302 159 47M50d £64020 381 173 49X6 5dr 4x4 The world’s first off-road coupé, but difficultto see its purpose AAABC
xDrive35i £48525 302 236 46xDrive50i £58905 402 292 494.4 V8 M £86705 547 325 50xDrive30d £47700 241 195 43xDrive40d £50300 301 198 47M50d £63250 381 204 50Z4 ROADSTER 2dr open Classy roadster. Morecruiser than sports car AAABC
2.0 sDrive18i £27740 154 159 332.0 sDrive18i M Sport £31625 154 159 342.0 sDrive20i £29840 181 159 342.0 sDrive20i M Sport £33005 181 159 352.0 sDrive28i £34225 242 159 392.0 sDrive28i M Sport £37390 242 159 403.0 sDrive35i £40070 302 219 413.0 sDrive35i M Sport £43005 302 219 423.0 sDrive35iS DCT £45950 335 210 43I8 2dr coupé BMW’s electric supercar is fast and fiendishly clever. Cheap to run, too AAAAB 1.5 £99895 357 59
CADILLAC
CTS-V 2dr coupé A genuine rival to Europe’s finestsupercars AAAAC
6.2 V8 £68957 556 365 50CTS 4dr saloon Sharp looking big saloon needs adiesel. CTS V is excellent AACCC
CORVETTE 2dr coupé Left hand drive heavy hitter.ZR1 earns an extra star AAACC 6.2 V8 Grand Sport £67530 431 316 486.2 V8 £62996 431 316 487.0 V8 Z06 £84238 505 350 506.2 V8 ZR1 £123687 638 355 50
CHRYSLER
DELTA 5dr hatch A competent enough rebranding of aLancia. No looker AAACC
KA 3dr hatch An agile drive and energetic petrol engine. Wooden ride AAABC
1.2 Grand Prix lll £11295 68 115 51.2 Studio Connect £9295 68 115 31.2 Studio £8795 68 115 31.2 Edge £9795 68 115 31.2 Zetec £10545 68 115 31.2 Titanium £11045 68 115 31.2 Metal £11295 68 115 5B-MAX 5dr mpv Fiesta dynamics and sliding dooraccess make the B Max a cut above AAAAC
2.0 i-VTEC S £23100 154 173 242.0 i-VTEC S-T £23865 154 173 242.0 i-VTEC SE £25100 154 173 242.0 i-VTEC SE-T £25865 154 173 242.0 i-VTEC SR £27410 154 177 252.0 i-VTEC EX £30255 154 177 251.6 i-DTEC S 2WD £23060 118 119 241.6 i-DTEC SE 2WD £25060 118 119 242.2 i-DTEC S £25205 148 149 262.2 i-DTEC S-T £25970 148 149 262.2 i-DTEC SE £27205 148 149 262.2 i-DTEC SE-T £27970 148 149 262.2 i-DTEC SR £29495 148 154 262.2 i-DTEC EX £32340 148 154 27
HYUNDAI
I10 5dr hatch Second gen i10 still close to the best.Mature drive, spacious cabin, low price AAAAC
1.0 S £8595 65 108 11.0 S Air £9260 65 108 11.0 SE £9610 65 108 11.0 SE Blue Drive £9910 65 98 11.0 Premium £10310 65 108 11.2 SE £10110 86 114 41.2 Premium £10810 86 114 4I20 3dr hatch Good value, but looks bland and hasaverage dynamics AAABC
1.2 Class £10180 84 114 41.2 Active £11130 84 114 5I20 5dr hatch Good value, but looks bland and hasaverage dynamics AAABC
1.2 Active £11780 84 114 51.2 Style £12580 84 114 51.4CRDi 90PS Blue Drive Active £13680 88 96 91.2 Class £10780 84 114 4I30 3dr hatch As good as we’ve come to expect, butnot one inch better AAABC
1.6 120 Sport Nav £18720 118 149 111.4 100 Class £14605 98 139 71.4 100 Active £15805 98 143 71.6 120 Sport £17600 118 149 101.6 CRDi 110 Blue Drive Active £18090 109 100 111.6 CRDi 128 Sport £19590 126 108 131.6 CRDi 128 Sport Nav £20710 126 108 13I30 5dr hatch As good as we’ve come to expect, butnot one inch better AAABC
1.4 100 Class £15210 98 139 71.4 100 Active £16310 98 139 71.4 100 Style £17310 98 143 71.4 100 Style Nav £18430 98 143 71.6 120 Active auto £17710 118 159 91.6 120 Premium £20425 118 149 91.6 CRDi 110 BlueDrive Class £17495 109 97 111.6 CRDi 110 Blue Drive Active £18595 109 97 111.6 CRDi 128 Blue Drive Style £19895 126 100 131.6 CRDi 128 Premium £22415 126 108 131.6 CRDi 128 B’Dve Style Nav £21015 126 100 13I30 TOURER 5dr estate As good as we’ve come toexpect, but not one inch better AAABC 1.6 CRDi 110 B’Drive Class £18595 109 110 111.6 CRDi 110 Blue Drive Active £19695 109 110 111.6 CRDi 128 B’Drive Style Nav £22115 126 115 131.6 CRDi 128 Blue Drive Style £20995 126 115 131.6 Class £16905 118 150 91.6 Active £18005 118 150 91.6 CRDi 128 Premium £23815 126 117 13I40 4dr saloon Useful, inoffensive and well-priced. Nofireworks here AAABC
3.0 V6 £51250 336 205 503.0 V6 S £60250 375 213 505.0 V8 R £85000 542 259 50F-TYPE 2dr open Serious money. But it buys a seriouscar with a likeable wild side AAAAC 3.0 V6 £58535 336 209 503.0 V6 S £67535 375 213 505.0 V8 S £79995 488 259 50XK 2dr coupé Brilliant blend of handling, comfort andpace. Good value AAAAC
5.0 V8 Dynamic R £69975 503 292 505.0 V8 Signature £54975 380 264 475.0 V8 R-S £97490 542 292 50XK CONVERTIBLE 2dr open Brilliant blend ofhandling, comfort and pace. Good value AAAAC
2.2 CRDi KX-3 auto £35605 194 178 252.2 CRDi KX-4 auto £36805 194 178 27OPTIMA 4dr saloon Looks the part, but is well off the European saloon pace AAACC
2.2 TD4 150 SE £27765 148 165 212.2 TD4 150 SE Tech £29765 148 165 222.2 SD4 190 SE £30270 188 185 242.2 SD4 190 SE Tech £32270 188 185 252.2 SD4 190 Metropolis £35995 188 185 26DISCOVERY 5dr 4x4 The best compromise between off and on-road ability AAAAC
3.0 SDV6 255 GS £40005 252 213 393.0 SDV6 255 XS £46865 252 213 403.0 SDV6 255 HSE £53765 252 213 41RANGE ROVER EVOQUE 3dr 4x4 A new class of desirability for the SUV AAAAC
2.0 Si4 240 Dynamic 4WD £41510 237 181 382.2 eD4 150 Pure 2WD £30195 148 129 282.2 eD4 150 Prestige 2WD £37495 148 129 302.2 SD4 190 Pure 4WD £32000 188 149 322.2 SD4 190 Pres. 4WD £39300 188 149 342.2 SD4 190 Dynamic 4WD £39805 188 149 34RANGE ROVER EVOQUE 5dr 4x4 A new class of desirability for the SUV AAAAC
2.0 Si4 240 Dynamic 4WD £41010 237 181 382.2 eD4 150 Pure 2WD £29205 148 133 282.2 eD4 150 Prestige 2WD £36505 148 133 302.2 SD4 190 Pure 4WD £31005 188 149 322.2 SD4 190 Prestige 4WD £38305 188 149 342.2 SD4 190 Dynamic 4WD £38805 188 149 34RANGE ROVER 5dr 4x4 Arguably the best luxury car in the world. Easily the best SUV AAAAB
CT 5dr hatch Makes sense only as a company car. Notfun AAACC
200h S £20995 134 82 19200h SE £22495 134 94 19200h Advance £23995 134 94 19200h Luxury £24495 134 94 20200h F Sport £26745 134 94 20200h Premier £29495 134 94 21IS 4dr saloon Sleek junior exec, well made and interesting. Needs a better diesel AAACC 250 SE £26495 204 199 32250 Luxury £27995 204 199 33250 F Sport £30495 204 213 33250 Premier £35495 204 213 34300h SE £29495 217 99 31300h Luxury £30995 217 103 32300h F Sport £33495 217 109 32300h Premier £38495 217 109 33GS 4dr saloon Refreshingly different, but lacks a dieselengine AAABC
300h SE £31495 179 109 31300h Luxury £37495 179 113 32300h F Sport £41745 179 115 33300h Premier £43745 179 113 33450h Luxury £45495 338 141 42450h F Sport £51495 338 145 42450h Premier £51495 338 141 42LS 4dr saloon Uninspiring luxury barge with a huge kitlist attached AAABC 460 Luxury £71995 382 249 48460 F-Sport £74495 382 249 49600h L Premier £99995 439 199 50600h L Premier Night View £101510 439 199 50NX 5dr hatch Some good ideas, but dramatically offthe pace to drive AAACC 300h S 2WD £29495 195 120300h SE £31495 195 125300h Luxury £34495 195 125300h F Sport £36995 195 125300h Premier £42995 195 125RX 5dr 4x4 Low flexibility, but hybrid function makes adegree of economic sense AAABC
450h Advance £48495 245 145 40450h SE £44495 245 145 40450h Luxury £48495 245 145 41450h F Sport £51995 245 145 42450h Premier £55495 245 145 41
LOTUS
ELISE 2dr open Pure sports car. Great chassis andsteering, low running costs AAAAC
1.6 Club Racer £28580 134 149 431.6 £29050 134 149 431.6 Sport £30650 134 149 431.8 S £37205 217 175 43EXIGE 2dr coupé Sharp, uncompromising track car.Unforgiving on road AAAAC
3.5 V6 S £54610 345 236 47EVORA 2dr coupé Sublime combination of pliant rideand sweet handling AAAAC
2 5dr hatch Energetic, fun drive in a cute and usablesupermini. Good value AAAAC
1.3 75 Colour Edition £11745 74 115 91.3 75 SE AC £11195 74 115 91.3 84 Sport Colour Edition £12995 83 115 111.5 102 Tamura Nav Au £13495 101 145 121.3 84 Tamura £12295 83 115 111.3 84 Sport Venture £13395 83 115 113 4dr saloon Refined, well-priced family choice. Dynamically satisfying, too AAAAC 2.0 120 SE £17295 118 119 172.0 120 SE Nav £17895 118 119 172.0 120 SE-L £18795 118 119 182.0 120 SE-L Nav £19395 118 119 182.0 120 Sport Nav £20195 118 119 182.2d 150 SE £19645 148 104 232.2d 150 SE Nav £20245 148 104 242.2d 150 SE-L £21145 148 104 242.2d 150 SE-L Nav £21745 148 104 242.2d 150 Sport Nav £22545 148 104 24
3 5dr hatch Refined, well-priced family hatch. Dynamically satisfying, too AAAAC 1.5 100 SE £16995 99 119 131.5 100 SE Nav £17595 99 119 132.0 120 SE £17295 118 119 172.0 120 SE Nav £17895 118 119 172.0 120 SE-L £18795 118 119 182.0 120 SE-L Nav £19395 118 119 182.0 120 Sport Nav £20195 118 119 182.0 165 Sport Nav £21920 162 135 222.2D 150 SE £19645 148 107 232.2D 150 SE Nav £20245 148 107 242.2D 150 SE-L £21145 148 107 242.2D 150 SE-L Nav £21745 148 107 242.2D 150 Sport Nav £22545 148 107 246 4dr saloon A compelling mix of size, economy andperformance. Interior a let down AAAAC 2.0 145 SE £19595 143 129 182.0 145 SE Nav £20295 143 129 182.0 145 SE-L £20395 143 129 162.0 145 SE-L Nav £21095 143 129 162.0 165 Sport £23495 162 135 192.0 165 Sport Nav £24195 162 135 192.2D 150 SE £21995 148 108 212.2D 150 SE Nav £22695 148 108 212.2D 150 SE-L £22795 148 108 192.2D 150 SE-L Nav £23495 148 108 192.2D 150 Sport £25195 148 108 212.2D 150 Sport Nav £25895 148 108 212.2D 175 Sport £25595 173 119 232.2D 175 Sport Nav £26295 173 119 236 5dr tourer A compelling mix of size, economy andperformance. Interior a let down AAAAC 2.0 145 SE-L Nav £22015 143 129 162.0 165 Sport Nav £24895 162 135 192.2D 150 SE Nav £23595 148 116 212.2D 175 Sport Nav £27095 173 119 232.0 145 SE-L £21315 143 131 162.2D 150 SE £22895 148 116 212.2D 150 SE-L £23695 148 116 192.2D 150 SE-L Nav £24395 148 116 192.2D 150 Sport Nav £26695 148 116 21CX-5 5dr 4x4 Superb diesel engine mated to aboveaverage package AAABC
2.0 Skyactiv-G 165 SE-L Nav £22595 162 139 152.0 Skyactiv-G 165 SE-L £21895 162 139 152.0 Skyactiv-G 165 Sport Nav £24895 162 139 162.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L £23695 148 119 182.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L Nav £24395 148 119 182.2D Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L Lux £25295 148 119 202.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L Lux Nav £25995 148 119 202.2D Skyactiv-D 150 Sport Nav £26695 148 119 192.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L AWD £25395 148 136 172.2D Sky-D 150 SE-L Nav AWD £26095 148 136 172.2D Sky-D 175 Sport Nav AWD £28695 173 136 215 5dr mpv Functional seven-seater, but not unpleasantto drive. Lots of kit AAABC
2.0 150 Sport Venture £20295 148 159 161.6D 115 Sport Venture £21695 114 138 16MX-5 2dr open Worthy of its iconic status. Manageable, fun and attainable AAAAC
1.8i Sport Venture £18995 125 167 211.8i SE £18495 125 167 21MX-5 COUPE CABRIOLET 2dr cc As above, butwith a nifty folding hard top. AAAAC
1.8i SE £19995 125 167 211.8i Sport Venture £20995 125 167 212.0i Sport Tech £23095 158 181 262.0i Sport Tech Nav £23295 158 181 262.0i Sport Venture £22695 158 181 26
MCLAREN
650S 2dr coupé Extraordinary pace and handling. Thecar the 12C should have been AAAAB 3.8 V8 £195250 641 - 50650S SPIDER 2dr open More of the same although noisier — and better for it AAAAB
3.8 V8 £215250 641 - 50P1 2dr coupé Other-worldly. As worthy of a place inhypercar history as the F1 AAAAA 3.8 V8 £866000 903 194 50
MERCEDES-BENZ
A-CLASS 5dr hatch Desirability on message; ridequality seriously off-piste AAABC
A180 CDI SE ECO £21965 107 92 16A250 AMG Sport 4MATIC £28990 208 154 33A250 Engi’red by AMG 4MATIC £30910 208 154 34A180 SE £20715 121 128 18A180 Sport £21840 121 133 18A200 Sport £23365 154 134 23A200 AMG Sport £24615 154 136 24A250 AMG Sport £27440 208 140 33A250 Engineered by AMG Sport £29360 208 140 34A45 AMG £38195 354 161 43A180 CDI SE auto £23240 107 98 16A180 CDI Sport £22785 107 102 16A180 CDI AMG Sport £24035 107 105 16A200 CDI Sport £23860 134 118 20A200 CDI AMG Sport £25110 134 121 21A220 CDI AMG Sport £27760 168 115 25B-CLASS 5dr hatch A slightly odd prospect, butpractical and classy AAABC B180 CDI SE ECO £22950 108 98 15B220 Sport 4MATIC £28135 190 156 17B180 SE £22020 120 137 16B180 Sport £23335 120 144 17B180 CDI SE auto £24225 108 107 15B180 CDI Sport £24075 108 117 15B200 CDI SE £24125 134 114 20B200 CDI Sport £25425 134 121 21B220 CDI Sport £28225 168 120 25CLA 4dr saloon Attractive from some angles, unappealing from others. Dynamics to match AAACC
CLA 200 CDI AMG Sport £29125 134 117 27CLA 200 CDI Sport £26925 134 117 27CLA 250 AMG Sport 4Matic £33440 208 154 24CLA180 Sport £24775 121 130 23CLA180 AMG Sport £26975 121 130 24CLA45 AMG £42270 354 161 45CLA220 CDI Sport £29775 168 117 27CLA220 CDI AMG Sport £31975 168 117 28
C-CLASS 4dr saloon Stellar cabin and polished driveincrease appeal; engines not so good AAAAC
C200 SE £26855 181 123C200 Sport £28850 181 124C200 AMG Line £30345 181 128C63 AMG £59795 469 192C63 AMG S £66545 503 192C200 Bluetec SE £28570 134 102 25C200 Bluetec Sport £30565 134 102 25C200 Bluetec AMG Line £32060 134 102 25C220 Bluetec SE £29365 168 103C220 Bluetec Sport £31360 168 104C220 Bluetec AMG Line £32855 168 104C250 Bluetec SE £32020 201 117C250 Bluetec Sport £34015 201 117C250 Bluetec AMG Line £35510 201 117C300 Bluetec Hybrid SE £34630 201 94C300 Bluetec Hybrid Sport £36625 201 94C300 Bluetec Hybrid AMG Line £38120 201 94C-CLASS 5dr estate Decent practicality and fantastic interior - but only okay to drive AAAAC
C200 Bluetec AMG Line £33260 134 102 25C200 Bluetec SE £29770 134 102 25C200 Bluetec Sport £31765 134 102 25C200 SE £28055 181 128C220 Bluetec SE £30565 168 108C250 Bluetec SE £33220 201 117C63 AMG £60995 469 196C63 AMG S £67745 503 196C200 Sport £30050 181 128C200 AMG Line £31675 181 128C220 Bluetec Sport £32560 168 108C220 Bluetec AMG Line £34055 168 108C250 Bluetec Sport £35215 201 117C250 Bluetec AMG Line £36710 201 117-C-CLASS 2dr coupé Nice balance of style, usabilityand driver reward AAABC
C63 AMG Edition 507 £68495 451 280 44C180 AMG Sport Edition £29965 154 149 35C63 AMG £58500 451 280 44C220 CDI Exec SE £31130 168 109 34C220 CDI AMG Sport Edition £32460 168 133 38C250 CDI AMG Sport Edition £33515 201 143 41E-CLASS 4dr saloon A return to the old Merc qualities. Refined and relaxing AAAAC
E300 B’TECH Hybrid AMG Sport £42375 204 109 43E63 AMG S £84110 549 232 47E200 CGI SE £34340 181 138 36E200 CGI AMG Sport £36850 181 142 37E250 CGI SE £35470 208 138 38E250 CGI AMG Sport £37980 208 142 39E63 AMG £74115 549 230 47E300 Bluetec Hybrid SE £39880 204 109 43E220 CDI SE £32750 168 120 34E220 CDI AMG Sport £35245 168 129 35E250 CDI SE £36820 201 129 39E250 CDI AMG Sport £39445 201 134 40E350 Bluetec AMG Sport £41260 248 154 44E-CLASS 5dr estate A return to the old Merc qualities. Refined and relaxing AAAAC
E220 CDI AMG Sport £37165 168 135 35E220 CDI SE £34670 168 133 34E250 CDI AMG Sport £41250 201 145 40E250 CDI SE £38755 201 143 39E250 CGI AMG Sport £39770 208 147 39E250 CGI SE £37275 208 144 38E300 BlueTEC Hybrid AMG Sport £44165 201 119 44E300 BlueTEC Hybrid SE £41670 201 119 44E350 Bluetec AMG Sport £43050 248 159 44E63 AMG £75905 549 234 47E63 AMG S £85900 582 234 47E-CLASS 2dr coupé A return to the old Merc qualities.Refined and relaxing AAAAC
E200 AMG Sport £38420 181 140 39E400 AMG Sport Plus £46275 329 176 45E220 CDI SE £35095 168 123 38E220 CDI AMG Sport £37590 168 126 39E250 CDI AMG Sport £40730 201 129 43E350 Bluetec AMG Sport £42440 228 149 46E-CLASS CABRIOLET 2dr open Nice cabin, butride isn’t great. Six-pot engines best AAACC
E200 AMG Sport £41805 181 146 42E400 AMG Sport Plus £49645 329 185 48E220 CDI SE £38465 168 127 41E220 CDI AMG Sport £41090 168 134 42E250 CDI AMG Sport £44100 201 128 45E350 Bluetec AMG Sport £45845 228 154 48S-CLASS 4dr saloon Still the best luxury car in thereal world. Calm, advanced, rewarding AAAAA
S500 Plug-in Hybrid £87965 436 65 50S500 L AMG Line £88395 449 207 50S400 Hybrid L SE Line £70900 328 147 49S400 Hybrid L AMG Line £74930 328 153 49S600 L AMG Line £140615 523 259 50S63 AMG L £119835 577 237 50S65 AMG L £179985 621 279 50S300 Bluetec Hybrid L AMG Line £72260 204 120 49S350 Bluetec SE Line £62905 254 146 49S350 Bluetec AMG Line £67940 254 151 50S350 Bluetec L SE Line £66910 254 148 50S350 Bluetec L AMG Line £70940 254 154 50S-CLASS 2dr coupé Heavyweight contender. Continent smothering luxury AAAAC S500 £96565 449 207 50S63 AMG £125595 577 237 50CLS 4dr saloon Saloon-like practicality, coupé-likerewards AAAAC
400 AMG Line £55850 328 170 5063 AMG S £86500 577 231 50220 BlueTec AMG Line £46500 175 129 44350 BlueTec AMG Line £49950 254 - 46CLS 5dr shooting brake Not huge on space, butthat’s hardly the point AAAAC
63 AMG S £87000 577 231 50220 BlueTec AMG Line £48080 175 129 44350 BlueTec AMG Line £51400 254 162 47GLA 5dr 4x4 Not the most practical crossover, butgood looking and very decent to drive AAAAC
GLA250 SE 4Matic £29915 208 154 33GLA250 AMG Line 4Matic £30915 208 154 34GLA45 AMG £42000 354 175GLA200 CDI SE £25850 134 119 25GLA200 CDI AMG Line £26850 134 119 25
GLA220 CDI SE 4Matic £30035 168 129 28GLA220 CDI AMG Line 4Matic £31035 168 129 29G-CLASS 5dr 4x4 Massively expensive and compromised, but with character to spare AAABC
G350 BlueTEC £86435 208 295G63 AMG £129735 537 322 GL-CLASS 5dr 4x4 Decent on road and off despite itssize. Nice cabin, too AAABC GL350 BlueTEC AMG Sport £60750 261 209 49GL63 AMG £92350 549 288 50SLK 2dr open Enthusiastic, neat handling and briskall-weather roadster AAAAC
200 CGI BlueEff Sport £34350 181 158 41250 CGI BlueEff Sport £38680 201 169 44350 CGI BlueEff Sport £44605 302 167 45SLK55 AMG £55345 416 195 47SLK250 CDI £32620 201 132 42SLK250 CDI AMG Sport £36620 201 132 43SL 2dr open Big, luxurious and classier than a royalstud farm. Merc at its best. AAAAB
SL400 £72500 329 178 50SL500 AMG Sport £81915 429 212 50SL63 AMG £112510 557 231 50SL65 AMG £169670 621 270 50CL 2dr coupé Comfortable big coupé. More GT thansports car AAAAC
HATCH 3dr hatch Has matured very satisfyingly intoits larger footprint . A real contender AAAAB
1.2 One £13750 102 108 141.5 Cooper £15300 134 105 202.0 S Cooper £18655 189 133 281.5 D One £14890 114 - 171.5 D Cooper £16450 114 92 172.0 SD Cooper £19450 168 109 22HATCH 5dr hatch Has matured very satisfyingly intoits larger footprint . A real contender AAAAB
1.5 Cooper £15900 134 - 202.0 S Cooper £19255 189 - 281.5 D Cooper £17050 114 - 172.0 SD Cooper £20050 168 109 22ONE CLUBMAN 5dr estate Engaging drive andfunky looks, but not practical AAACC
1.6 £14820 97 129 131.6 Pepper Pack £16030 97 129 131.6 Media Pack £16320 97 129 131.6 Pepper-Media Pack £17370 97 129 131.6 Sport Chili Pack £19100 97 129 131.6 Sport Chili-Media Pack £20250 97 129 131.6D £15860 89 103 131.6D Pepper Pack £17070 89 103 131.6D Media Pack £17360 89 103 131.6D Pepper-Media Pack £18410 89 103 131.6D Sport Chili Pack £20140 89 103 131.6D Sport Chili-Media Pack £21290 89 103 13ONE CONVERTIBLE 2dr open Lots of style, butpoor ride and refinement AAACC
1.6 £16160 121 129 171.6 Bond Street £20275 121 129 191.6 Pepper Pack £17075 121 129 171.6 Pepper-Media Pack £18415 121 129 171.6 Media Pack £17660 121 129 171.6 Chili Pack £18280 121 129 171.6 Chili-Media Pack £19430 121 129 171.6 Sport Chili Pack £20140 121 129 171.6 Sport Chili-Media Pack £21290 121 129 171.6T S Bond Street £23365 181 137 301.6T S £19500 181 137 301.6T S Media Pack £20860 181 137 301.6T S Chili Pack £21455 181 137 301.6T S Chili-Media Pack £22605 181 137 301.6T S Sport Chili Pack £23020 181 137 301.6T S Sport Chili-Media Pack £24170 181 137 301.6T John Cooper Works £23610 208 155 341.6T JCW Media Pack £24970 208 155 341.6T JCW Chili Pack £25185 208 155 341.6T JCW Chili-Media £26335 208 155 341.6D £17510 110 103 181.6D Bond Street £21625 110 103 201.6D Pepper Pack £18425 110 103 18
1.6D Media Pack £19010 110 103 181.6D Pepper-Media Pack £19765 110 103 181.6D Chili Pack £19630 110 103 181.6D Chili-Media Pack £20780 110 103 181.6D Sport Chili Pack £21490 110 103 181.6D Sport Chili-Media Pack £22640 110 103 182.0D SD £20180 141 115 222.0D SD Bond Street £24045 141 115 232.0D SD Media Pack £21540 141 115 222.0D SD Chili Pack £22135 141 115 222.0D SD Chili-Media Pack £23285 141 115 222.0D SD Sport Chili Pack £23700 141 115 222.0D SD Sport Chili-Media Pack £24850 141 115 22COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2dr open Lots of style,poor ride and refinement AAACC
1.6 £17850 121 133 181.6 Highgate £21010 121 133 201.6 Pepper Pack £18615 121 133 181.6 Media Pack £19350 121 133 181.6 Pepper-Media Pack £19955 121 133 181.6 Chili Pack £19820 121 133 181.6 Sport Pack £20575 121 133 181.6 Chili-Media Pack £20970 121 133 181.6 Pepper-Sport Pack £21340 121 133 181.6 Chili-Sport Pack £22545 121 133 181.6 Sport-Media Pack £22075 121 133 181.6 Chili-Sport-Media £23695 121 133 181.6 Pepper-Sp-Media £22680 121 133 181.6 Sport Chili Pack £21530 121 133 181.6 Sport Chili-Media Pack £22680 121 133 181.6T S £21050 181 139 301.6T S Highgate £24080 181 139 321.6T S Media Pack £22410 181 139 301.6T S Chili Pack £22845 181 139 301.6T S Sport Pack £23310 181 139 301.6T S Chili-Media Pack £23995 181 139 301.6T S Chili-Sport Pack £25105 181 139 301.6T S Sport-Media Pack £24670 181 139 301.6 S Chili-Sp-Media £26255 181 139 301.6T S Sport Chili Pack £24260 181 139 301.6T S Sport Chili-Media Pack £25410 181 139 301.6T S John Cooper Works £25295 208 157 361.6T S JCW Media Pack £26655 208 157 361.6T S JCW Chili Pack £26780 208 157 361.6T JCW Chili-Media £27930 208 157 361.6D £18910 110 105 191.6D Highgate £22070 110 105 211.6D Pepper Pack £19675 110 105 191.6D Media Pack £20410 110 105 191.6D Pepper-Media Pack £21015 110 105 191.6D Chili Pack £20880 110 105 191.6D Sport Pack £21635 110 105 191.6D Chili-Media Pack £22030 110 105 191.6D Pepper-Sport Pack £22400 110 105 191.6D Chili-Sport Pack £23605 110 105 191.6D Sport-Media Pack £23135 110 105 191.6D Chili-Sp-Media £24755 110 105 191.6D Pepper-Sp.-Media £23740 110 105 191.6D Sport Chili Pack £22590 110 105 191.6D Sport Chili-Media Pack £23740 110 105 192.0D SD £21730 141 118 232.0D SD Highgate £24760 141 118 242.0D SD Media Pack £23090 141 118 232.0D SD Chili Pack £23525 141 118 232.0D SD Sport Pack £23990 141 118 232.0D SD Chili-Media Pack £24675 141 118 232.0D SD Chili-Sport Pack £25785 141 118 232.0D SD Sport-Media Pack £25350 141 118 232.0D SD Ch.Sp.Med. £26935 141 118 232.0D SD Sport Chili Pack £24940 141 118 232.0D SD Sport Chili-Media Pack £26090 141 118 23COUPE 2dr coupé Cynical perhaps, but the hatchbackchassis still shines AAABC
1.6 Cooper Sport Chili-Media P £21440 121 127 181.6 Cooper £16840 121 127 181.6 Cooper Media Pack £18320 121 127 181.6 Cooper Sport Pack £19350 121 127 181.6 Cooper Media-Sport Pack £20830 121 127 181.6 Cooper Pepper Pack £17490 121 127 181.6 Cooper Pepper-Media Pack £18890 121 127 181.6 Cooper Pepper-Sport Pack £20000 121 127 181.6 Cooper Pepper-Media-Sport £21400 121 127 181.6 Cooper Chili Pack £18490 121 127 181.6 Cooper Chili-Sport Pack £21000 121 127 181.6 Cooper Chili-Media Pack £19760 121 127 181.6 Cooper Chili-Media-Sport £22270 121 127 181.6 Cooper Sport Chili Pack £20170 121 127 181.6T Cooper S £19990 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Media Pack £21340 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Sport Pack £22100 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Media-Sport Pack £23450 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Chili Pack £21655 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Chili-Sport Pack £23765 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Chili-Media Pack £22925 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Sport Chili Pack £22920 181 136 311.6T CooperS Sport Chili-Media £24190 181 136 311.6T Cooper S Chili-Media-Spor £25035 181 136 311.6T John Cooper Works £24010 208 153 361.6T John Cooper Works Media P£25360 208 153 361.6T John Cooper Works Chili P £25255 208 153 361.6T John Cooper Works Chili-M £26525 208 153 362.0D Cooper SD £20710 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Media Pack £22060 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Sport Pack £22820 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Media-Sport Pk £24170 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Chili Pack £22375 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Chili-Sport Pac £24485 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Chili-Media Pac £23645 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Chili-Sport-Med £25755 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Sport Chili Pac £23640 141 114 222.0D Cooper SD Sport Chili-Med £24910 141 114 22ROADSTER 2dr open Occasionally fun, sometimescompromised, never brilliant AAABC
1.6 Cooper £18260 121 133 191.6T Cooper S £21145 181 139 321.6T John Cooper Works £24995 208 157 372.0D Cooper SD £21860 141 118 24PACEMAN 3dr coupé Two door Countryman a Minitoo far for us. Tough to like AAABC
1.6 Cooper £18980 121 140 161.6T Cooper S £22365 181 143 301.6T Cooper S ALL4 £23620 181 157 291.6T John Cooper Works £29550 208 172 34
1.6D Cooper D ALL4 £21400 110 129 141.6D Cooper D £20210 110 115 152.0D Cooper SD £23070 141 122 202.0D Cooper SD ALL4 £24290 141 130 19COUNTRYMAN 5dr 4x4 Big, but still more funky than useful AAABC
1.6 One 2WD £16620 97 139 121.6 One Pepper Pack 2WD £18015 97 139 121.6 One Media Pack 2WD £18420 97 139 121.6 One Pep-Media 2WD £19345 97 139 121.6 Cooper 2WD £18140 120 140 161.6 Cooper P’per 2WD £19280 120 140 161.6 Cooper Media 2WD £19940 120 140 161.6 Cooper Pep.Med 2WD £20610 120 140 161.6 Cooper Chili 2WD £20735 120 140 161.6 Cooper Chili-Med. 2WD £21790 120 140 161.6T Cooper S 2WD £21535 181 143 301.6T Cooper S Med. 2WD £23165 181 143 301.6T C’per S Chili 2WD £23945 181 143 301.6T C’per S Ch.-Med. 2WD £25000 181 143 301.6T Cooper S ALL4 4WD £22790 181 157 281.6T C’per S All4 Md. £24420 181 157 281.6T C’perS All4 Ch. £25200 181 157 281.6T C’perS All4 C-M £26255 181 157 281.6T JCW £28610 215 172 331.6T JCW Media Pack £30240 215 172 331.6T JCW Chili Pack £30135 215 172 331.6T JCW Chili-Media Pack £31190 215 172 331.6D One 2WD £17620 89 115 131.6D One P’per 2WD £19015 89 115 131.6D One Med. 2WD £19420 89 115 131.6D One P’per-Md. 2WD £20345 89 115 131.6D Cooper 2WD £19370 110 115 181.6D C’per P’per 2WD £20510 110 115 181.66D C’per Med 2WD £21170 110 115 181.6D C’per Pper-Md 2WD £21840 110 115 181.6D C’per Ch. 2WD £21965 110 115 181.6D C’per Ch.Med 2WD £23020 110 115 181.6D Cooper ALL4 4WD £20570 110 129 161.6D All4 P’per £21710 110 129 161.6D C’per All4 Md. £22370 110 129 161.6D All4 Pep.Med. £23040 110 129 161.6D C’per All4 Ch. £23165 110 129 161.6D Cooper All4 C-M £24220 110 129 162.0D Cooper SD £22240 141 122 202.0D Cooper SD Med. £23870 141 122 202.0D Cooper SD Chili Pack £24650 141 122 202.0D Cooper SD Chili-Media Pac £25705 141 122 202.0D Cooper SD ALL4 4WD £23460 141 130 202.0D Cooper SD ALL4 Media Pk £25090 141 130 202.0D Cooper SD ALL4 Chili Pack £25870 141 130 202.0D Cooper SD ALL4 Chili-Medi £26925 141 130 20
MITSUBISHI
I 5dr hatch Electric city transport. Fun, quirky but ludicrously expensive AAABC
MiEV Keiko £28554 63 0 27MIRAGE 5dr hatch Straightforward hatchback. Not for the likes of us AAACC 1.0 70 MIVEC 1 £9054 70 96 151.2 79 MIVEC 2 £11054 79 96 181.2 79 MIVEC 3 £12054 79 100 18ASX 5dr hatch Engine sets a new standard, but otherwise unexceptional AAABC
1.6 2 2WD £15184 115 137 131.6 3 2WD £17435 115 137 131.8 DiD 3 2WD £19435 114 136 191.8 DiD 4 4WD £23434 114 136 192.2 DiD 4 4WD auto £24884 148 153 19SHOGUN 5dr 4x4 Has its appeal. Needs more chassis finesse, but still charming AACCC
3 WHEELER 0dr open Eccentric, uniquely English and not a little special AAAAA
1.9 115 Sport £31140 115 215 -1.9 115 Bespoke £34000 115 - -1.9 115 Superdry £34995 115 - -AERO SUPERSPORTS 2dr open Has pace and kerbside status, but pricey AABCC
4.8 V8 £126900 390 269 -4-4 2dr open Has its appeal, but not so rewarding to drive AACCC
1.6 £31500 110 - -PLUS 4 2dr open Has its appeal. Needs more chassis finesse, but still charming AACCC
2.0 2 Seater £35400 145 172 -2.0 4 Seater £40200 145 172 -ROADSTER 2dr open More advanced, but pricey and needs better brakes AACCC
3.7 V6 4 Seater £51000 280 - -3.7 V6 £45900 280 - -PLUS EIGHT 2dr open Olde V8 charm lives on, but requires oodles of cash AAACC
4.8 V8 £85200 367 - -
NISSAN
MICRA 5dr hatch Low running costs but below average overall AABCC
80kw Tekna £30490 107 0 2480kw Visia £26490 107 0 2380kw Acenta £28490 107 0 23QASHQAI 5dr hatch Second generation a masterlyupdate of the first. The crossover to beat AAAAB
2.5 dCi 190 Acenta £32945 188 224 312.5 dCi 190 Tekna £36280 188 224 31370Z 2dr coupé Great engine and poised handling.Lots of road noise AAABC
3.7 V6 Nismo £37015 345 248 463.7 V6 £27015 323 248 463.7 V6 GT £32015 323 248 46GT-R 2dr coupé A benchmark. Great drive, brutalpower, sensational value AAAAC
3.8 V6 2013 MY £78020 523 275 50
NOBLE
M600 2dr coupé A new era for the Brit maker. Outrageous pace and handling AAAAB
4.4 V8 £200000 650 -
PEUGEOT
ION 5dr hatch Good electric powertrain, comicallyexpensive AABCC
63 £26216 63 0 2866 UK drive £26216 63 0 28108 3dr hatch Sister car to the Aygo. And distantsecond to most city car rivals AAACC 1.0 Access £8245 68 951.0 Active £9495 68 951.0 Active Top £10345 68 951.0 Active S-S £9745 68 881.0 Active S-S Top £10595 68 881.2 VTi Allure £10995 81 991.2 VTi Allure Top £11845 81 991.2 VTi Feline £11845 81 99108 5dr hatch Sister car to the Aygo. And distantsecond to most city car rivals AAACC 1.0 Active £9895 68 951.0 Active Top £10745 68 951.0 Active S-S £10145 68 881.0 Active S-S Top £10145 68 881.2 VTi Allure £11395 81 991.2 VTi Allure Top £11395 81 991.2 VTi Feline £12245 81 99207 CC 2dr open The best of the 207 range. Reasonable ride and handling AAACC
1.6 VTi 120 Active £17200 118 149 161.6 VTi 120 Roland Garros £19350 118 150 171.6 HDi 112 Active £18545 110 124 161.6 HDi 112 Roland Garros £20695 110 127 18208 3dr hatch Big improvement for Peugeot, if not thesupermini class AAABC
BOXSTER 2dr open Honed, toned and cosmeticallyenhanced. Scarily brilliant AAAAB
2.7 £39350 261 192 403.4 S £47725 311 206 433.4 GTS £53569 326 211 44CAYMAN 2dr coupé Roof seals the deal. A five-starcar by any measure AAAAA 2.7 £40234 271 192 373.4 S £49473 320 206 413.4 GTS £56087 335 211 43911 2dr coupé The best just got better. Still more thanworthy of its iconic status AAAAB
3.4 Carrera £74199 345 212 463.4 Carrera 4 £79055 345 219 463.8 Carrera S £84235 395 224 473.8 Carrera 4S £89315 395 234 483.8 Turbo £121513 514 227 483.8 Turbo S £143035 552 227 483.8 GT3 £101685 468 289 48911 CABRIOLET 2dr open The best just got better.Still more than worthy of its iconic status AAAAB
3.4 Carrera £82859 345 217 493.8 Carrera S £93119 395 229 503.4 Carrera 4 £87715 345 224 493.4 Targa 4 £87067 345 223 493.8 Carrera 4S £97975 395 236 503.8 Targa 4S £97328 395 237 503.8 Turbo £130138 513 231 503.8 Turbo S £151772 552 231 50918 SPYDER 2dr open Porsche’s hybrid hypercar. Arare and hugely fast new five-star model AAAAA
4.6 V8 £657400 875 70 50MACAN 5dr 4x4 Spookily good handling. A sportsutility vehicle in the purest sense AAAAB 2.0 £40621 234 1753.0 V6 S £43990 336 212 403.6 V6 Turbo £59990 395 216 443.0 V6 S Diesel £43535 254 164 39PANAMERA 5dr hatch Technically brilliant and witha great cabin. Soulless AAABC
PHANTOM 2dr open Opulence befitting the price tag.Benchmark ride quality AAAAC
6.8 V12 Drophead £332400 453 377WRAITH 2dr coupé In many respects - not least frombehind the wheel - the best Roller AAAAB 6.6 V12 £230320 642 327 50
SEAT
MII 3dr hatch Predictably not quite as good as the VWUp. Cheaper, though AAABC
1.0 60 S £8195 59 105 11.0 60 S AC £8705 59 105 11.0 60 SE £9630 59 105 11.0 60 Toca £9995 59 105 11.0 60 Ecomotive £9530 59 96 11.0 75 SE auto £10760 74 105 21.0 75 Sport £10380 74 108 2MII 5dr hatch Predictably not quite as good as the VWUp. Cheaper, though AAABC
1.0 60 S £8545 59 105 11.0 60 S AC £9055 59 105 11.0 60 SE £9980 59 105 11.0 60 Toca £10345 59 105 11.0 60 Ecomotive £9880 59 96 11.0 75 SE auto £11110 74 105 21.0 75 Sport £10730 74 108 2IBIZA 3dr hatch Sharp looks and handling. Cupraneeds a manual AAABC
1.2 12v 70 S A-C £11410 69 125 51.4 85 SE £12545 84 139 91.4 85 Toca £12870 84 139 111.2 TSI 105 SE DSG £14185 104 124 121.2 TSI 105 FR £14190 104 119 121.2 TSI 105 FR DSG £15285 104 124 121.4 TSI 140 ACT FR £15495 138 109 211.4 TSI 140 ACT FR Edition £16110 138 109 221.4 TSI 180 Cupra DSG £18980 178 139 271.2 TDI 75 S A-C £13305 74 102 71.2 TDI 75 S A-C Ecomotive £13830 74 92 71.2 TDI 75 SE Ecomotive £14360 74 92 71.6 TDI 105 SE £14910 104 112 141.6 TDI 105 FR £15910 104 112 142.0 TDI 143 FR £17085 141 123 22IBIZA 5dr hatch Sharp looks and handling. Cupraneeds a manual AAABC
1.2 12v 70 S A-C £11960 69 125 51.4 85 SE £13095 84 139 91.4 85 Toca £13420 84 139 111.2 TSI 105 SE DSG £14735 104 124 121.2 TSI 105 FR £14740 104 119 121.2 TSI 105 FR DSG £15835 104 124 121.4 TSI 140 ACT FR £16045 138 109 211.4 TSI 140 ACT FR Edition £16660 138 109 221.2 TDI 75 S A-C £13855 74 102 71.2 TDI 75 S A-C Ecomotive £14380 74 92 71.2 TDI 75 SE Ecomotive £14910 74 92 71.6 TDI 105 SE £15460 104 112 141.6 TDI 105 FR £16460 104 112 142.0 TDI 143 FR £17635 141 123 22IBIZA 5dr estate Rivals are more practical but Ibiza isfun AAACC
1.2 70 S A-C £12660 69 128 51.4 85 SE £13795 84 139 91.4 85 Toca £14120 84 139 111.2 TSI 105 SE DSG £15435 103 124 121.2 TSI 105 FR £15440 103 119 121.4 TSI 140 ACT FR £16745 138 109 211.2 TDI 75 S A-C £14555 74 105 71.2 TDI 75 S A-C Ecomotive £15080 74 92 71.2 TDI 75 SE Ecomotive £15610 74 92 71.6 TDI 105 SE £16160 104 112 141.6 TDI 105 FR £17160 104 112 14TOLEDO 5dr hatch Makes practical sense, but leavesno other lasting impression AAACC
1.2 TSI 85 S £14265 84 119 101.2 TSI 105 S £15295 104 116 131.2 TSI 105 SE £16515 104 118 141.4 TSI 122 SE DSG £17965 120 134 171.6 TDI CR S Ecomotive £17150 104 104 151.6 TDI CR SE Ecomotive £18370 104 106 15LEON 3dr hatch Sharp looks and handling. Inevitablyback from the Golf’s quality AAAAC 1.6 TDI 110 SE Ecomotive £19625 108 87 141.2 TSI 105 S £15550 104 114 121.2 TSI 105 SE £16670 104 114 131.4 TSI 140 SE £17720 138 119 171.4 TSI 140 FR £19265 138 119 181.8 TSI 180 FR £20740 178 137 252.0 TSI 265 Cupra £25960 261 154 322.0 TSI 280 Cupra £27210 276 154 331.6 TDI CR 105 S £17515 104 99 131.6 TDI CR 105 SE £18635 104 99 132.0 TDI CR 150 SE £19985 148 106 192.0 TDI CR 150 FR £21530 148 106 202.0 TDI CR 184 FR £22520 181 109 26LEON 5dr hatch Sharp looks and handling. Inevitablyback from the Golf’s quality AAAAC 1.6 TDI 110 SE Ecomotive £19925 108 87 141.2 TSI 105 S £15850 104 114 121.2 TSI 105 SE £16970 104 114 131.4 TSI 140 SE £18020 138 119 171.4 TSI 140 FR £19565 138 119 181.8 TSI 180 FR £21040 178 137 252.0 TDI CR 184 FR £22820 181 109 262.0 TSI 280 Cupra £27510 276 154 331.6 TDI CR 105 S £17815 104 99 131.6 TDI CR 105 SE £18935 104 99 132.0 TDI CR 150 SE £20285 148 106 192.0 TDI CR 150 FR £21830 148 106 20LEON 5dr estate Sharp looks and handling. Inevitablyback from the Golf’s quality AAAAC 1.2 TSI 105 S £16675 104 114 121.2 TSI 105 SE £17795 104 114 131.4 TSI 140 FR £20390 138 122 181.4 TSI 140 SE £18845 138 122 171.6 TDI 110 SE Ecomotive £20920 108 87 141.6 TDI CR 105 S £18810 104 99 131.6 TDI CR 105 SE £19930 104 99 131.8 TSI 180 FR £22035 178 137 252.0 TDI CR 150 FR £22825 148 106 202.0 TDI CR 150 SE £21280 148 106 192.0 TDI CR 184 FR £23815 181 112 26
ALTEA 5dr hatch Short on interior flexibility andvisibility. Well-judged drive AAACC
1.6 TDI 105 I TECH Ecomotive £19345 103 119 142.0 TDI 140 I TECH £20145 138 129 19XL 1.6 TDI 105 I TECH Ecomotiv £20065 103 119 13XL 2.0 TDI 140 I TECH £20865 138 129 19ALHAMBRA 5dr mpv Practical, refined and goodvalue. Not exciting AAAAC
2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S £25630 138 146 182.0 TDI 140 S auto £26915 138 149 182.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive SE £27510 138 146 182.0 TDI 140 SE auto £28795 138 149 182.0 TDI 140 Eco’ SE Lux £30900 138 146 182.0 TDI 140 SE Lux auto £32185 138 149 182.0 TDI 177 SE £28750 138 158 222.0 TDI 177 SE Lux £32420 138 158 22
SKODA
CITIGO 3dr hatch The VW Up in entry-level Skodaformat AAABC
1.0 60 S £8210 59 105 11.0 60 SE £9060 59 105 11.0 60 Sport £10390 59 105 11.0 60 Greentech SE £9420 59 95 11.0 60 Greentech Eleg. £10000 59 95 11.0 75 Greentech Eleg. £10390 74 98 2CITIGO 5dr hatch The VW Up in entry-level Skodaformat AAABC
1.0 60 S £8560 59 105 11.0 60 SE £9410 59 105 11.0 60 Sport £10740 59 105 11.0 60 Greentech SE £9770 59 95 11.0 60 Greentech Eleg. £10350 59 95 11.0 75 Greentech Eleg. £10740 74 98 2FABIA 5dr hatch Good interior packaging. Soft handling, good value AAAAC
1.2 12v 70 Reaction £13405 68 128 51.4 16v 86 SE £12080 85 139 81.2 12v 60 S £9945 59 128 31.2 12v 70 SE £11580 68 128 51.2 TSI 86 SE £12150 84 121 91.2 TSI 86 Monte Carlo £13670 84 121 91.2 TSI 105 S DSG £12635 103 124 121.2 TSI 105 SE DSG £13570 103 124 131.2 TSI 105 Eleg. £13895 103 124 131.2 TSI 105 Monte Carlo £14330 103 124 131.4 TSI 180 vRS £17155 178 148 271.2 TDI CR 75 Greenline II £13875 74 88 81.6 TDI CR 75 S £12030 74 109 71.6 TDI CR 75 SE £12965 74 109 81.6 TDI CR 90 Eleg. £14640 89 109 121.6 TDI CR 105 SE £13780 104 109 141.6 TDI CR 105 Eleg. £14865 104 109 141.6 TDI CR 105 Monte Carlo £15300 104 109 15FABIA 5dr estate Good interior packaging. Soft handling, good value AAAAC
1.2 69 S £11215 68 128 41.2 TSI 86 SE £13000 84 121 91.2 TSI 86 Scout £14070 84 121 91.2 TSI 86 Monte Carlo £14145 84 121 91.2 TSI 105 SE £13660 103 124 131.2 TSI 105 Monte Carlo £14805 103 124 131.2 TSI 105 Eleg. £14745 103 124 131.4 TSI 180 vRS £18005 178 148 271.2 TDI CR 75 Greenline II £14490 74 88 81.6 TDI CR 75 S £12645 74 109 71.6 TDI CR 90 SE £14405 89 109 121.6 TDI CR 90 Scout £15475 89 109 121.6 TDI CR 105 SE £14630 104 109 141.6 TDI CR 105 Eleg. £15715 104 109 141.6 TDI CR 105 Monte Carlo £15775 104 109 151.6 TDI CR 105 Scout £15700 104 109 15RAPID 5dr hatch Slender five-door hatch makes mostsense under a Skoda badge AAABC
1.6 TDI 105 E £17145 103 114 161.6 TDI 90 Eleg. £17555 103 114 131.6 TDI 90 GreenLine £17815 103 99 131.6 TDI 90 GreenTech Eleg. £17805 103 104 131.6 TDI 90 GreenTech SE £17055 103 104 131.6 TDI 90 S £15855 103 114 131.6 TDI 90 SE £16805 103 114 131.2 75 S £13190 74 137 71.2 TSI 86 S £13980 84 119 101.2 TSI 86 SE £14930 84 119 101.2 TSI 86 GreenTech S £14230 84 114 101.2 TSI 86 GreenTech SE £15180 84 114 101.2 TSI 105 SE £15630 104 125 131.2 TSI 105 Eleg. £16380 104 125 131.2 TSI 105 GreenTech SE £15880 104 118 131.2 TSI 105 GreenTech Eleg. £16630 104 118 131.4 TSI 122 SE DSG £17425 120 134 161.4 TSI 122 Eleg. DSG £18175 120 134 161.4 TSI 122 GreenTech SE DSG £17545 120 127 181.4 TSI 122 GreenTech Eleg. £18295 120 127 181.6 TDI 105 S £16430 103 114 161.6 TDI 105 SE £17380 103 114 151.6 TDI 105 Eleg. £18130 103 114 151.6 TDI 105 GreenTech SE £17630 103 106 151.6 TDI 105 GreenTech Eleg. £18380 103 106 15RAPID 5dr estate Estate shape makes most sense ofRapid’s skinny body AAABC 1.2 TSI 105 Eleg. £16640 104 125 141.2 TSI 105 Greentech Eleg. £16890 104 118 141.2 TSI 105 Greentech SE £16430 104 118 151.2 TSI 105 SE £16180 104 125 141.2 TSI 86 Greentech S £14590 84 114 121.2 TSI 86 Greentech SE £15730 84 114 121.2 TSI 86 S £14340 84 119 111.2 TSI 86 SE £15480 84 119 121.4 TSI 122 Eleg. DSG £18445 120 134 181.4 TSI 122 Greentech SE DSG £18105 120 127 181.4 TSI 122 G’tech Eleg. DS £18565 120 127 181.4 TSI 122 SE DSG £17985 120 134 171.6 TDI 105 Eleg. £18390 103 114 161.6 TDI 105 Greentech Eleg. £18640 103 106 161.6 TDI 105 Greentech SE £18180 103 106 161.6 TDI 105 S £16790 103 114 151.6 TDI 105 SE £17930 103 114 161.6 TDI 90 GreenLine £17195 89 99 141.6 TDI 90 GreenTech Eleg. £17990 89 106 141.6 TDI 90 GreenTech SE £17530 89 106 141.6 TDI 90 S £16140 89 114 131.6 TDI 90 SE £17280 89 114 14
1.6 TDI 90 Eleg. £17740 89 114 14OCTAVIA 5dr hatch Extended wheelbase makes theOctavia an even more practical choice AAABC
1.6 TDI 105 SE Business £19560 104 99 141.2 TSI 105 S £16310 104 114 131.2 TSI 105 SE £17510 104 114 131.4 TSI 140 SE £18710 138 121 181.4 TSI 140 Eleg. £20560 138 121 192.0 TSI 220 vRS £23315 217 142 291.6 TDI 105 S £18360 104 99 131.6 TDI 105 SE £19560 104 99 131.6 TDI 105 Eleg. £21410 104 99 141.6 TDI 110 GreenLine £20150 108 85 152.0 TDI 150 SE £20460 148 106 192.0 TDI 150 SE Business £20460 148 106 202.0 TDI 150 Eleg. £22310 148 106 202.0 TDI 184 vRS £23580 181 119 26OCTAVIA 5dr estate Extended wheelbase makes theOctavia an even more practical choice AAABC
1.6 TDI 105 Eleg. 4x4 £23665 104 119 141.6 TDI 105 SE 4x4 £21815 104 119 131.6 TDI 105 SE Business £21815 104 119 132.0 TDI 150 Eleg. 4x4 £24565 148 124 202.0 TDI 150 SE 4x4 £22715 148 124 192.0 TDI 150 SE Business £22715 148 124 191.2 TSI 105 S £17115 104 117 131.2 TSI 105 SE £18315 104 117 131.4 TSI 140 SE £19515 138 121 181.4 TSI 140 Eleg. £21365 138 121 192.0 TSI 220 vRS £24120 217 142 291.6 TDI 105 S £19165 104 99 131.6 TDI 105 SE £20365 104 99 131.6 TDI 105 Eleg. £22215 104 99 142.0 TDI 150 SE £21265 148 110 192.0 TDI 150 Eleg. £23115 148 110 202.0 TDI 184 vRS £24385 181 119 26SUPERB 5dr hatch Enormous and brilliant. A cut-price E-class for the masses AAAAC
1.6 TDI 105 SE Business GreenL £20625 103 109 172.0 TDI 140 Eleg. £24840 138 119 232.0 TDI 140 SE Business £21090 138 119 222.0 TDI 170 Eleg. 4x4 £28670 168 147 252.0 TDI 170 Laurin & Klement 4 £30660 168 147 252.0 TDI 170 SE 4x4 £25960 168 147 241.4 TSI 125 S £18690 123 138 191.8 TSI 160 SE £21730 158 158 251.8 TSI 160 Eleg. DSG £25750 158 162 263.6 V6 FSI Eleg. 4WD £30655 256 215 343.6 V6 FSI Laurin and Klement £32645 256 215 341.6 TDI 105 S Greenline £20200 103 109 171.6 TDI 105 SE Greenline £21665 103 109 171.6 TDI 105 Eleg. Greenline £23990 103 109 171.6 TDI 105 S £19890 103 117 172.0 TDI 140 S £20490 138 119 222.0 TDI 140 SE £22130 138 119 232.0 TDI 140 Eleg. 4WD £26430 138 137 222.0 TDI 140 Laurin and Klement £26830 138 119 242.0 TDI 140 Laurin Klement 4WD £28420 138 137 232.0 TDI 170 SE £23060 168 120 252.0 TDI 170 Eleg. £25770 168 120 262.0 TDI 170 Laurin and Klement £27760 168 120 26SUPERB 5dr estate Enormous and brilliant. A cut-price E-class for the masses AAAAC
KORANDO 5dr hatch Good for a SsangYong, poor byclass standards AACCC
2.0d SE 2WD £14995 147 147 192.0d SE4 4WD £16495 147 157 192.0d ELX4 4WD £19995 173 157 19REXTON W 5dr 4x4 Rugged seven-seater makes short work of mud. Tarmac more tricky AABCC
2.0 SX £21995 155 1962.0 EX £24495 155 196TURISMO 5dr mpv Incredibly ungainly, but offers huge real estate for the money AAACC 2.0D S £17995 155 199 272.0D ES £19995 155 199 272.0D EX £23995 155 212 29
2.0i SE £21995 148 160 212.0i SE Premium £23995 148 160 222.0D SE £23995 144 146 262.0D SE Premium £25995 144 146 27OUTBACK ESTATE 5dr 4x4 Acceptable in isolationbut no benchmark AABCC
2.0 D S £28870 148 155 212.0 D SE £30070 148 155 212.0 D SE Nav Plus £32370 148 155 222.0 D SX Lineartronic £31495 148 166 22WRX STI 4dr saloon Appealingly old fashioned andbehind the times all at once AAABC 2.5 STI £28995 296 242BRZ 2dr coupé The GT-86’s half brother looks just asgood in Subaru blue. Cheaper, too AAAAA 2.0i SE £22495 197 181 302.0i SE Lux £23995 197 181 31
SUZUKI
ALTO 5dr hatch Energetic, frugal three-pot is greatfun. Noisy but endearing AAABC
1.0 SZ £7199 67 99 41.0 SZ3 £8399 67 99 41.0 SZ4 £9599 67 99 4SPLASH 5dr hatch Lots of space and fun to drive butnot cheap AAACC
We came away from our first drive of the new baby Jeep impressed by its off-road credentials, if a little underwhelmed by its on-road manners. If you regularly venture away from the asphalt, the Renegade is worthy of consideration. Price £25,000 (est)
1.0 VVT-i £11100 67 99 31.0 VVT-i 2 £12100 67 99 41.33 VVT-i 3 £13100 97 119 6AYGO 5dr hatch Probably the best of its ilk, but we’dstill pay the premium for a VW Up AAABC 1.0 x £8595 68 95 61.0 x-play £9795 68 95 71.0 x-pression £10995 68 95 71.0 x-cite £11195 68 95 71.0 x-clusiv £11295 68 95 7AYGO 5dr hatch Probably the best of its ilk, but we’dstill pay the premium for a VW Up AAABC 1.0 x £8995 68 95 61.0 x-play £10195 68 95 71.0 x-pression £11395 68 95 71.0 x-cite £11595 68 95 71.0 x-clusiv £11695 68 95 7YARIS 3dr hatch Good space and value, but not aclass leader AAABC
1.0 VVT-i Active £10995 68 111 51.0 VVT-i Icon plus £12945 68 111 5YARIS 5dr hatch Good space and value, but not aclass leader AAABC
2.4i 16v 167 Exclusiv £19835 161 206 202.2 CDTi 163 Exclusiv S-S £21065 161 167 252.2 CDTi 163 Exclusiv 4x4 S-S £23485 161 177 252.2 CDTi 163 SE Nav 4x4 S-S £26325 161 177 252.2 CDTi 163 Diamond S-S £21865 161 167 252.2 CDTi 163 Diamond 4x4 S-S £24285 161 177 252.2 CDTi 184 SE Nav 4x4 S-S £27385 184 177 28VXR8 4dr saloon Best saved for last. Aussie-bredsuper saloon best Vauxhall on sale AAAAB
6.2 GTS £54999 576 389 50
VOLKSWAGEN
UP 3dr hatch Hardly revolutionary, just quantifiablybetter AAAAC
1.0 75 Groove Up £11985 74 108 41.0 75 Rock Up £13325 74 108 41.0 60 Take Up £8635 59 105 11.0 60 Move Up £9670 59 105 1
1.0 60 BMT Move Up £10030 59 95 11.0 75 High Up £11245 74 108 21.0 75 BMT High Up £11605 74 98 2UP 5dr hatch Hardly revolutionary, just quantifiably better AAAAC
1.0 75 Groove Up £12360 74 108 41.0 60 Take Up £9010 59 105 11.0 60 Move Up £10045 59 105 11.0 60 BMT Move Up £10405 59 95 11.0 75 High Up £11620 74 108 21.0 75 BMT High Up £11980 74 98 2POLO 3dr hatch A mini Golf. Sweet handling, solid interior and good value AAAAC
1.4 150 BlueGT £17710 148 109 -1.0 60 S £11100 59 106 -1.0 60 S AC £11820 59 106 -1.0 60 SE £12435 59 106 -1.0 60 SE Design £13535 59 106 -1.0 75 SE £12960 74 108 -1.0 75 SE Design £14060 74 108 -1.2 90 SE £13580 89 107 -1.2 90 SE Design £14680 89 107 -1.2 110 SEL £15610 108 128 -1.4 TDI 75 SE £14645 74 88 -1.4 TDI 75 SE Design £15745 74 88 -1.4 TDI 90 SEL £16120 79 88 -POLO 5dr hatch A mini Golf. Sweet handling, solid interior and good value AAAAC
1.0 60 S £11730 59 106 -1.0 60 S AC £12450 59 106 -1.0 60 SE £13065 59 106 -1.0 60 SE Design £14165 59 106 -1.0 75 SE £13590 74 108 -1.0 75 SE Design £14690 74 108 -1.2 90 SE £14210 89 107 -1.2 90 SE Design £15310 89 107 -1.2 110 SEL £16240 108 128 -1.4 150 BlueGT £18340 148 109 -1.4 TDI 75 SE £15275 74 88 -1.4 TDI 75 SE Design £16375 74 88 -1.4 TDI 90 SEL £16750 79 88 -GOLF CABRIOLET 2dr open Composed but uninspiring four-seat soft-top AAABC
1.2 TSI 105 S £21800 103 139 151.4 TSI 122 S £22495 121 149 191.4 TSI 122 SE £23545 121 149 191.4 TSI 160 GT £26445 158 150 292.0 TSI 210 GTI £30235 208 177 352.0 TSI 265 R £33650 261 190 391.6 TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech S £23270 103 117 171.6 TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech SE £24320 103 117 172.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion Tech SE £25720 138 119 232.0 TDI 140 Bluemotion Tech GT £26910 138 119 23GOLF 3dr hatch The complete package. Reassuringly expensive AAAAB 1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion £20815 103 85 151.6 TDI 90 S £18795 89 98 102.0 TSI 300 R £29900 296 165 341.2 TSI 85 S £16975 84 113 71.2 TSI 105 S £17985 104 114 111.4 TSI 122 S £18745 121 120 141.4 TSI 122 Match £19680 121 120 151.4 TSI 150 GT ACT £22995 148 109 152.0 TSI 220 GTI £26330 217 139 291.6 TDI 105 S £19600 103 99 121.6 TDI 105 Match £20535 103 99 132.0 TDI 150 Match £22050 148 106 182.0 TDI 150 GT £23500 148 106 172.0 TDI 184 GTD £25765 181 109 26GOLF 5dr hatch The complete package. Reassuringly expensive AAAAB 1.6 TDI 90 S £19450 89 98 102.0 TSI 300 R £30555 296 165 341.2 TSI 85 S £17630 84 113 71.2 TSI 105 S £18640 104 114 111.4 TSI 122 S £19400 121 123 141.4 TSI 122 Match £20335 121 123 151.4 TSI 150 GT ACT £23650 148 112 151.4 TSI 150 GT ACT DSG £25065 148 110 152.0 TSI 220 GTI £26985 217 139 291.6 TDI 105 S £20255 103 99 121.6 TDI 105 Match £21190 103 99 131.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion £21470 103 85 152.0 TDI 150 Match £22705 148 106 182.0 TDI 150 GT £24155 148 106 172.0 TDI 184 GTD £26420 181 109 26GOLF 5dr estate The complete package. Reassuringly expensive AAAAB 1.2 TSI 105 S £19335 104 117 111.2 TSI 85 S £18325 84 115 71.4 TSI 122 S £20095 121 124 141.4 TSI 122 SE £21030 121 124 131.4 TSI 140 GT £24345 138 121 151.6 TDI 105 S £20950 103 102 121.6 TDI 105 SE £21885 103 102 111.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion £22165 110 87 151.6 TDI 90 S £20145 89 102 102.0 TDI 150 GT £24850 148 108 172.0 TDI 150 SE £23400 148 108 17GOLF SV 5dr mpv MQB platform gives the Golf proper MPV proportions. Still no C-Max though AAABC 1.2 TSI 85 S £18875 84 114 -1.2 TSI 110 S £19885 108 117 -1.4 TSI 125 S £20645 121 125 -1.4 TSI 125 SE £21580 121 125 -1.4 TSI 150 GT £24895 148 130 -1.6 TDI 90 S £20695 89 101 -1.6 TDI 110 S £21650 110 101 -1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion £22715 110 95 -1.6 TDI 110 SE £22585 110 101 -2.0 TDI 150 SE £23950 148 112 -2.0 TDI 150 GT £25400 148 115 -JETTA 4dr saloon Big boot, pleasant dynamics and good pricing. A bit dull AAAAC
1.4 TSI 122 S £18095 121 144 101.4 TSI 122 SE £19375 121 144 111.4 TSI 160 SE £20675 158 145 181.4 TSI 160 Sport £21580 158 145 181.6 TDi 105 Blue Tech S £19530 103 109 121.6 TDi 105 Blue Tec SE £20810 103 109 121.6 TDI 105 Blue Tec Sp. £21465 103 109 122.0 TDI 140 SE £21285 138 126 172.0 TDI 140 Sport £22190 138 126 17
3.0 V6 TDI 240 SWB £55055 236 224 453.0 V6 TDI 240 LWB £57615 236 224 45TOURAN 5dr mpv Good chassis but little inspiration.Bland appearance AAAAC
2.0 TDI 177 Sport £28125 177 150 241.2 TSI 105 S £19565 104 149 12
1.4 TSI 140 SE £23375 138 159 181.6 TDI 105 Blue Tech S £21375 104 121 141.6 TDI 105 BlueTech SE £23480 104 121 142.0 TDI 140 Blue Tech SE £25245 138 127 192.0 TDI 140 BlueTech Sp. £26705 138 127 19SHARAN 5dr mpv Refined, flexible big MPV. Seatversion is cheaper AAABC
2.0 TDI 177 SE £30295 177 152 232.0 TDI 177 SEL £33195 177 152 231.4 TSI 150 S £25060 148 167 161.4 TSI 150 SE £27370 148 167 162.0 TSI 200 SEL DSG £33515 197 198 252.0 TDI 115 S £25630 113 146 142.0 TDI 140 S £26380 138 146 182.0 TDI 140 SE £28690 138 146 182.0 TDI 140 SEL £31590 138 146 182.0 TDI 140 Exec £31840 138 146 18TIGUAN 5dr 4x4 Dull but capable soft roader. Pricey,but good ride and handling AAABC
1.4 TSI 160 BMT Match 2WD £23695 158 156 211.4 TSI 160 Match 4WD £25385 158 178 212.0 TDI 140 BMT Match 2WD £24890 138 138 182.0 TDI 140 BMT Match 4WD £26660 138 150 192.0 TDI 177 BMT Match 4WD £27665 175 151 232.0 TSI 180 Match 4WD £26225 178 198 241.4 TSI 160 Blue Tech S £21700 158 156 181.4 TSI 160 S 4WD £23390 158 178 182.0 TSI 210 R-Line 4WD £29670 208 199 222.0 TDI 110 BMT S 2WD £22345 109 138 142.0 TDI 140 BMT S 2WD £22895 138 138 172.0 TDI 140 BMT S 4WD £24665 138 150 172.0 TDI 140 BMT Escape 4WD £27350 138 150 182.0 TDI 140 BMT R-Line 4WD £29240 138 150 182.0 TDI 177 BMT R-Line 4WD £30245 175 151 23TOUAREG 5dr 4x4 Updated Touareg makes evenmore sense than last. Deft piece of kit AAAAC
V40 5dr hatch New hatchback adds Swedish flavour tostock Ford platform AAAAC
1.6 T2 120 ES £18995 118 124 191.6 T2 120 ES Nav £20195 118 124 191.6 T2 120 SE £20520 118 124 191.6 T2 120 SE Nav £21720 118 124 191.6 T2 120 SE Lux Nav £23720 118 124 201.6 T2 120 R-Design £21295 118 124 191.6 T2 120 R-Design Nav £22495 118 124 191.6 T2 120 R-Design Lux Nav £24170 118 124 211.6 T3 150 ES £20945 148 124 201.6 T3 150 ES Nav £22145 148 124 211.6 T3 150 SE £22470 148 124 211.6 T3 150 SE Nav £23670 148 124 211.6 T3 150 SE Lux Nav £25670 148 124 221.6 T3 150 R-Design £23245 148 124 201.6 T3 150 R-Design Nav £24445 148 124 211.6 T3 150 R-Design Lux Nav £26120 148 124 221.6 T4 180 SE Lux Nav £27170 177 129 261.6 T4 180 R-Design Lux Nav £27620 177 129 261.6 T4 180 C-Country Lux Nav £28170 177 129 242.5 T5 254 R-Design Lux Nav £31900 251 189 352.5 T5 254 C-Ctry Lux Nav AWD £34140 251 194 301.6 D2 115 ES £20795 113 88 171.6 D2 115 ES Nav £21995 113 88 171.6 D2 115 SE £22320 113 88 171.6 D2 115 SE Nav £23520 113 88 171.6 D2 115 SE Lux £24320 113 88 181.6 D2 115 SE Lux Nav £25520 113 88 181.6 D2 115 R-Design £23095 113 88 171.6 D2 115 R-Design Nav £24295 113 88 17
1.6 D2 115 R-Design Lux £24770 113 88 181.6 D2 115 R-Design Lux Nav £25970 113 88 181.6 D2 115 C-Country SE £23320 113 99 161.6 D2 115 C-Country SE Nav £24520 113 99 161.6 D2 115 C-Country Lux £25320 113 99 171.6 D2 115 C-Country Lux Nav £26520 113 99 172.0 D3 150 SE £23570 148 114 222.0 D3 150 SE Nav £24770 148 114 222.0 D3 150 SE Lux Nav £26770 148 114 232.0 D3 150 R-Design £24345 148 114 212.0 D3 150 R-Design Nav £25545 148 114 222.0 D3 150 R-Design Lux Nav £27220 148 114 232.0 D3 150 C-Country SE £24570 148 117 212.0 D3 150 C-Country SE Nav £25770 148 117 212.0 D3 150 C-Country Lux Nav £27770 148 117 222.0 D4 190 SE £24570 187 99 262.0 D4 190 SE Nav £25770 187 99 262.0 D4 190 SE Lux Nav £27770 187 99 272.0 D4 190 R-Design £25345 187 99 252.0 D4 190 R-Design Nav £26545 187 99 252.0 D4 190 R-Design Lux Nav £28220 187 99 262.0 D4 190 C-Country SE Nav £26770 187 112 242.0 D4 190 C-Country Lux Nav £28770 187 112 24S60 4dr saloon T6 is rapid, all-weather sports car, if aniche choice AAABC
1.6 D2 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £31745 113 103 201.6 D2 R-Design Lux S-S £30545 113 103 201.6 D2 R-Design Nav S-S £29245 113 103 191.6 D2 R-Design S-S £28045 113 103 181.6 D2 SE Lux Nav S-S £30045 113 103 191.6 D2 SE Lux S-S £28845 113 103 191.6 D2 SE Nav S-S £27745 113 103 181.6 D2 SE S-S £26545 113 103 181.6 T3 R-Design Nav S-S £28375 148 135 231.6 T3 SE Nav S-S £26875 148 135 232.0 D3 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £32395 134 114 252.0 D3 R-Design Lux S-S £31195 134 114 252.0 D3 R-Design Nav S-S £29895 134 114 242.0 D3 SE Lux Nav S-S £30695 134 114 242.0 D3 SE Nav S-S £28395 134 114 232.0 D4 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £33645 178 99 292.0 D4 R-Design Lux S-S £32445 178 99 292.0 D4 R-Design Nav S-S £31145 178 99 282.0 D4 R-Design S-S £29945 178 99 282.0 D4 SE Lux Nav S-S £31945 178 99 292.0 D4 SE Lux S-S £30745 178 99 292.0 D4 SE Nav S-S £29645 178 99 282.0 D4 SE S-S £28445 178 99 272.4 D5 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £35395 212 119 312.4 D5 R-Design Nav S-S £32895 212 119 302.4 D5 SE Lux Nav S-S £33695 212 119 301.6 T3 Business Edition S-S £20675 148 135 211.6 T3 SE S-S £25675 148 135 221.6 T3 R-Design S-S £27175 148 135 231.6 D2 Business Edition S-S £21545 113 103 172.0 D3 Business Edition S-S £22195 134 114 222.0 D3 SE S-S £27195 134 114 232.0 D3 SE Lux S-S £29495 134 114 242.0 D3 R-Design S-S £28695 134 114 232.0 D4 Business Edition S-S £23445 178 99 26V60 5dr estate Appealing cabin, nice looks and smooth drive. Too small AAABC
1.6 D2 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £33045 113 108 201.6 D2 R-Design Lux S-S £31845 113 108 191.6 D2 R-Design Nav S-S £30445 113 108 181.6 D2 R-Design S-S £29245 113 108 181.6 D2 SE Lux Nav S-S £31345 113 108 191.6 D2 SE Lux S-S £30145 113 108 191.6 D2 SE Nav S-S £28945 113 108 181.6 D2 SE S-S £27745 113 108 171.6 T3 R-Design Nav S-S £29450 148 139 231.6 T3 SE Nav S-S £28205 148 139 222.0 D3 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £33695 134 119 252.0 D3 R-Design Lux S-S £32495 134 119 252.0 D3 R-Design Nav S-S £31095 134 119 242.0 D3 SE Lux Nav S-S £31995 134 119 252.0 D3 SE Nav S-S £29595 134 119 232.0 D4 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £34945 178 103 292.0 D4 R-Design Lux S-S £33745 178 103 292.0 D4 R-Design Nav S-S £32345 178 103 282.0 D4 R-Design S-S £31145 178 103 282.0 D4 SE Lux Nav S-S £33245 178 99 292.0 D4 SE Lux S-S £32045 178 99 292.0 D4 SE Nav S-S £30845 178 99 282.0 D4 SE S-S £29645 178 99 272.4 D5 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £36695 212 120 312.4 D5 R-Design Nav S-S £34095 212 120 292.4 D5 SE Lux Nav S-S £34995 212 120 301.6 T3 Business Edition S-S £22005 148 139 21
1.6 T3 SE S-S £27005 148 139 221.6 T3 R-Design S-S £28505 148 139 233.0 T6 Polestar £49755 346 237 381.6 D2 Business Edition S-S £22745 113 108 172.0 D3 Business Edition S-S £23395 134 119 222.0 D3 SE S-S £28395 134 119 232.0 D3 SE Lux S-S £30795 134 119 242.0 D3 R-Design S-S £29895 134 119 242.0 D4 Business Edition S-S £24645 178 99 262.4 D6 AWD Plug-in Hybrid £49975 275 48 -2.4 D6 AWD Plug-in H R-Dsgn LN £51675 275 48V70 5dr estate Spacious, but suffers from vague steering and old engines AAABC
1.6 D2 SE Lux S-S auto £33220 113 111 211.6 D2 SE Nav S-S auto £31620 113 111 192.0 D3 SE Nav S-S £31620 161 119 252.0 D4 SE Lux S-S £34720 178 113 302.0 D4 SE Nav S-S £33120 178 113 292.4 D5 SE Nav S-S £34570 212 126 301.6 D2 Business Editn S-S auto £25695 113 111 182.0 D3 Business Edition S-S £25695 161 119 242.0 D3 SE Lux S-S £33220 161 119 262.0 D4 Business Edition S-S £27195 178 113 282.0 D5 Business Edition S-S £28645 161 126 292.4 D5 SE Lux S-S £36170 212 126 32S80 4dr saloon Refined, high-quality exec saloon. Poor ride and residuals AAACC
1.6 D2 SE Lux S-S auto £32220 113 109 211.6 D2 SE Nav S-S auto £30720 113 109 202.0 D4 SE Lux S-S £33720 178 104 292.0 D4 SE Nav S-S £32220 178 104 282.4 D5 SE Lux S-S £36835 212 120 31XC60 5dr 4x4 Lovely, usable and attractive interior. A worthy Freelander rival AAAAC
3.0 T6 R-Design Lux Nav AWD £43720 300 249 372.0 D4 SE S-S £31260 178 117 282.0 D4 SE Nav S-S £32460 178 117 282.0 D4 SE Lux S-S £33960 178 117 292.0 D4 SE Lux Nav S-S £35160 178 117 292.0 D4 R-Design S-S £32535 178 117 282.0 D4 R-Design Nav S-S £33735 178 117 282.0 D4 R-Design Lux S-S £35160 178 117 292.0 D4 R-Design Lux Nav S-S £36305 178 117 302.4 D4 SE AWD S-S £32790 178 139 282.4 D4 SE Nav AWD S-S £33990 178 139 292.4 D4 SE Lux AWD S-S £35490 178 139 302.4 D4 SE Lux Nav AWD S-S £36690 178 139 302.4 D4 R-Design AWD S-S £34065 178 139 292.4 D4 R-Design Nav AWD S-S £35265 178 139 292.4 D4 R-Design Lux AWD S-S £36690 178 139 302.4 D4 R-Design Lux Nav AWD S- £37890 178 139 302.4 D5 SE Nav AWD S-S £35890 178 139 302.4 D5 SE Lux Nav AWD S-S £38590 178 139 312.4 D5 R-Design Nav AWD S-S £37165 178 139 302.4 D5 R-Design Lux Nav AWD S- £39790 178 139 31XC70 5dr estate Dull and unexceptional, but built to last AAACC
2.0 D4 SE Nav S-S £34410 178 117 282.4 D4 SE Lux 4WD S-S £38290 161 139 302.4 D5 SE Nav 4WD S-S £37590 212 139 303.0 T6 SE Lux 4WD £43180 300 248 372.4 D4 SE Nav £36340 161 139 302.4 D5 SE Lux 4WD S-S £39540 212 139 31XC90 5dr 4x4 Big, capable seven-seat SUV, but beginning to feel its age AAACC
2.4 D5 200 R-Design Nav £43615 197 215 422.4 D5 200 SE Nav £41690 197 215 412.4 D5 200 ES £37115 197 215 412.4 D5 200 SE £40190 197 215 412.4 D5 200 SE Lux £43515 197 215 422.4 D5 200 Exec £45715 197 215 422.4 D5 200 R-Design £42115 197 215 42
WESTFIELD
SPORT 2dr open Entry-level Westfield. Sport Turbo very quick and fun AAABC
1.6 135 Sigma £18999 135 171 -1.6 155 Sigma £19999 155 - -1600 Sport Turbo £24999 192 171 -2.0 200 Duratec £23499 200 - -Turbo UK225 £25649 225 185 -1.6 Sport Turbo 3 UK200 £26500 201 178 -XTR2 2dr open Mad bike-engined mini Le Mans racer. Not cheap but fast AAABC
1.3 £27950 178 - -XTR4 2dr open As above, but even more so. Hard to justify over obvious rivals AAABC
1.8 £29995 192 - -
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CrossoversAUTOCAR TOP FIVES
Nissan Qashqai From £18,000Virtually invented the crossover segment. The latest version, subtly better all round, retakes the class lead. AAAAC
1
Skoda Yeti From £16,000The Yeti is almost a blueprint for crossover appeal: chunky looks, hatchback handling and compact MPV practicality. AAABC
2
Peugeot 3008 From £17,000Hardly at the crossover cutting edge, but flexible cabin and split-level tailgate are among its thoughtful touches. AAABC
3
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross From £15,000Capable in most respects — being decent to look at, drive and sit in — with exceptional economy as the kicker. AAABC
4
Dacia Duster From £10,000Outstanding cash-for-capability prospect. Better with four-wheel drive. Basic, yes — but in a very good way.AAABC
30-70mph Indicates overtaking ability through the gears
50-70mph Is recorded in top gear (*kickdown with an automatic)
and demonstrates flexibility
Touring mpg Recorded over a pre-set road test route
Braking 60-0mph Recorded on a high-grip surface at our test track
Mph/1000rpm Figure is the speed achieved in top gear
Nobody produces as thorough a judgement as Autocar does with its comprehensive road test. As well as acceleration, fuel consumption, noise measurement and brake tests, we also time each car on wet and dry handling circuits. We even measure the visibility from inside the car. But we don’t just drive cars at the test track — essential as it is for finding the limits of performance — but also on a wide-ranging mix of roads. We aim to produce the most complete, objective tests in the business, so that you will know just how good a car is. Where we have tested more than one model in a range, the star rating is for the range overall; where an individual model within the range meets our coveted five-star standard, it is highlighted in yellow.
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This was the car for a Man of Action. Inprototypical Bodie and Doyle style, our hero is running in a shadowy, echoing space whose identity is hard to determine. It turns out, rather unglamorously, to be a multi-storey car-park, although these edifices may have been a touch more modish back in 1969. He’s wearing a suit, but no tie, his destination a blue Capri.
“This is Capri,” announces the voiceover, pretentiously leaving out the definite article as if this car were a person. The voice then highlights an almost ludicrously unlikely aspect of the Capri, claiming that it’s as “luxurious as a limousine”. It may have had four individually contoured seats, but there was never a Capri with a front-to-rear division or real wood décor.
But never mind – the voice gets back on track when our man fires the Ford up
and hits the headlight switch, giving us agood opportunity to see its cheap, off-the-shelf Lucas warning light.
“Powerful as a sports car,” we hear, as our man fires what sounds like a slightly clattery four. “With a choice of engines, including a new 3.0-litre V6.” At which point we see the macho engaging of first gear, filmed from deep within the passenger footwell, and hear the squealing of tortured Dunlops. The Ford tears past rows of Capris of every colour (is this a Blue Oval storage depot?) on its subterranean climb, roaring engine and screeching tyres echoing off the concrete walls. The flashing, fast action camera-work looks like something from Bullitt, released a year before the Capri in 1968.
Then the Ford erupts into sunlight, almost getting air as it crests the exit ramp onto a Parisian street. The music,
a twanging, 1960s-style electric guitar, is joined by an electric organ delivering glamorously jazzy, staccato chords. This is Ford Capri. This is (quite) cool.
The car jinks and darts, surges andthrusts. We see Rostyle faux alloy wheels, and beautiful shots of this new Euro pony car, a Mustang scaled for Europe’s tight-arteried cities.
So where is our man, now bizarrely wearing white gloves, heading? We get a clue with a fleeting cut to a blonde girl, wiping a tear from beneath her eye. This is a wedding, hers and his, and rather absurdly there appear to be no friends or relatives as Capri man bounds up some grand church steps (he’s late) to embrace his bride-to-be. Although achieving wedlock may prove difficult, because there appears to be no priest either. The scene cuts away to the car. “Ford Capri. The car you always promised yourself.”
And tens of thousands did, this undeniably flash-looking coupé being a hot seller for two decades. Quite how many realised that its cart-sprung axle and wheezing four cylinder motors meant that it was no more able than the Cortina on which it was based is another story. But hey, it looked good.
The music is joined by an electric organ’s staccato chords. This is Ford Capri. This is (quite) cool
Ford’s Capri ad urged men of all ages to follow their hearts and fulfil their dreams
The original car magazine, published since 1895 ‘in the interests of the mechanically propelled road carriage’
EDITORIALTel +44 (0)20 8267 5630 Email [email protected] editor Chas HallettEditor-in-chief Steve CropleyDeputy editor Mark TisshawManaging editor Allan MuirDigital editor Matt BurtAssociate editor Hilton HollowayChief sub-editor Tim DicksonRoad test editor Matt PriorDeputy road test editor Matt SaundersRoad tester Nic CackettDeputy digital editor Lewis KingstonDigital reporter Darren MossArt editor Amar Hussain Deputy art editor Paul HarveyChief photographer Stan Papior Photographer Luc LaceyPicture editor Ben Summerell-YoudeVideographer Andrew ColesGroup editorial manager Olivia Pina
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORSEditor-at-large Steve SutcliffeSenior contributing writer Andrew Frankel Industry editor Julian RendellSenior contributing editors Richard Bremner, Colin GoodwinEuropean editor Greg KableGrand prix editor Joe SawardUsed car editor James RuppertTechnical editor Jesse CrosseSpecial correspondents Mauro Calo, Peter Liddiard, Richard Webber
ADDRESSAutocar is published byHaymarket Consumer MediaTeddington Studios, Broom Road,Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9BE, UKhaymarketgroup.comTel +44 (0)20 8267 5000
Editorial director Mark PaytonCreative director Paul HarpinStrategy & planning director Bob McDowellManaging director David PrasherChief executive Kevin Costello
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