Innholdsfortegnelse for December 24, 2019 i Autocar

ALTHOUGH WE TRY to firmly look forward at Autocar, it is important on occasion to pause and reflect on where we’ve come from, as we do in this, our last issue of 2019. Three trends have emerged among the cars launched this year. First, the rebirth, reinvention or replacement of so many industry stalwarts, such as the Porsche 911, VW Golf and Land Rover Defender, in place of true ‘white space’ vehicles and new nameplates. In these challenging times, that’s no surprise. Second, the growing presence of electric cars, which will accelerate further in 2020. And third, the seemingly unstoppable rise of SUVs, which this year has been fuelled further by more cars like the Audi RS Q8 (driven, p24) being fitted with ever more powerful drivetrains. As one academic…

“Supercapacitors are ‘the first step in the roadmap’ to electrified Lamborghinis” Lamborghini’s first series-production hybrid models are set to feature pioneering electric technology, with the supercar firm focusing on lightweight supercapacitors and the ability to use carbonfibre bodywork to store electrical energy. The Italian manufacturer has teamed up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on a number of research projects focused on supercapacitor energy stores – which can be charged faster and store more energy than similarly sized lithium ion batteries – and ways of storing energy in new materials. Riccardo Bettini, Lamborghini’s head of R&D project management, said that although it is clear that electric power is the future, the current weight requirements of lithium ion batteries meant that “at the moment, it’s not the best solution” for…

The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA promises new technology and greater comfort to step up the pressure on the BMW X2 and Audi Q2 in the compact crossover market. The new GLA has been revealed by Mercedes-Benz and the launch line-up will include a hot AMG-tuned version, with plug-in hybrid and full-electric versions planned for the future. The German firm launched the original GLA five years ago and has sold close to one million globally since then. The new GLA is due on sale in the UK in the second quarter of 2020. As with its predecessor, it will draw heavily on the closely related A-Class. The launch line-up includes the entry-level front-drive GLA 200, which uses a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 161bhp. There’s also a four-wheel-drive Mercedes-AMG GLA 35…

The Toyota GR Yaris hot hatchback, which will be officially unveiled next month, will offer more than 247bhp from what the firm claims is the lightest 1.6-litre engine to feature in a production car. The four-wheel-drive car has been developed in-house by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division in Japan, with input from its European motorsport arm and Tommi Mäkinen Racing, which runs the firm’s World Rally Championship team. The new model serves as a ‘homologation special’ for the next Yaris WRC, due in 2021, and is also designed to showcase the performance credentials of the standard Yaris. It is the second machine in Toyota’s GR performance car line-up alongside the GR Supra. The GR Yaris has been developed alongside the standard hatch but, while it shares the same basic platform and…

A government-funded energy research body has called for “immediate action” to halt rising sales of SUVs and other large vehicles because of the high levels of CO2 they emit. The UK Energy Research Centre claims SUVs produce around 25% more CO2 than a medium-sized car due to their extra size, weight and reduced aerodynamic efficiency. SUVs accounted for 21.2% of total vehicles sold in the UK last year, up from 6.6% in 2009 and 13.5% in 2015. Electric cars are outsold 37 to 1 by SUVs.…

VERDICT Consider the marketing power of Mercedes-AMG and similar performance sub-brands and nobody should be surprised to see Volvo attempt to join that clique with Polestar Engineered. This initial product has plenty going for it – not least some inspiring design and excellent body control. There is also the versatility of its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is unique among cars of this ilk, and the easy-going driveability and rolling refinement for which modern Volvo is known. And yet for all that, the S60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered is not quite the drivers’ car it aims to be. The precision and control in the handling and steering are new benchmarks for the brand but still fall well short of truly sporting rivals. The four-cylinder powertrain offers neither the performance nor…

New year honours were among the pages in the first issue of Autocar in 2019. Instead of Her Majesty, though, it was the estimable Colin Goodwin handing them out on behalf of petrolheads everywhere, to those who’ve so far been overlooked for the highest of commendations from the Queen. Arise, then, good sirs Newey, Noble, McGuinness, Palmer (twice, actually), Murray, Dennis and others – recognised, all, as knights of the most excellent order of the Goodwin empire. Goodwin had a busy January, in fact. A week later, he recounted the tale of a road trip to four of the UK’s greatest driving roads, as chosen by several of his Autocar colleagues. It was done to prove – as much to himself as anyone else – that while it may mean…

The covers of the four magazines we published in April give a pretty good snapshot of the car world. Of the 27 new cars pictured, 10 were SUVs, but there were other bodystyles, three pure electric vehicles, a broad mix of other powertrains and – still pleasingly – room for a couple of V8s. Our first experience of Porsche’s Taycan EV came in April, though, in a fairly remote part of Lapland – most of which is pretty remote anyway – during winter testing. And it began with doing some doughnuts because, while Porsche is embracing EV technology to the extent that, in the same issue, we revealed the next 718 Boxster and Cayman would be electric, it’s also trying to reassure us that it still makes sports cars. We…

July was the month Jaguar finally confirmed its next-generation XJ would go electric. On the day that production of the current XJ ended, the brand announced that the new model would be built at the same Castle Bromwich plant. It was a satisfying day for Autocar, because we first reported that a zero-emissions XJ was coming back in 2015. Just a few more months and we’ll see the new XJ, one of the final Jaguar models penned by now former design boss Ian Callum. Two other key cars were revealed in July, continuing both the electric and British themes. The Mini Electric was unveiled, looking, unsurprisingly, little different from the normal Mini, aside from a few design tweaks such as the aero-friendly wheels. While the 144-mile range was disappointing to…

FINAL REPORT MILEAGE 5885 WHY WE RAN IT To see whether this trailblazing small EV has evolved enough to still be considered the best in its class Long before it was time to hand the keys back to BMW, the i3s had sparked more interest from Autocar readers than anything else I’ve had the opportunity to report on. I’m grateful for all the messages, tips and positive words from owners, who clearly all love theirs and are fully converted to the EV way of life – but as much as a stretch behind the wheel opened my eyes, I’d still hesitate before making the switch. Little of that can be blamed on the car, which proved capable and entertaining. I’d argue the i3s is the first electric hot hatch, with…

QUESTION My car is coming to the end of its PCP agreement. The dealer isn’t offering much for it so I’ll sell it privately or to the trade. What do I need to know before doing this? Laura Jones, via email ANSWER Selling it privately will mean you having to settle the finance first, so we’ll assume you have the funds to do that. Just pray that once you have paid up, your buyer proceeds with the deal. The good thing about selling to the trade is that they’ll settle the finance and pay you any extra money you’ve negotiated. Have the trader email you a copy of a dated bank statement showing payment of the settlement amount to the PCP company. Then call the company to check the money…

Renault Clio 2.0 VVT 200 RS £3895 Our round-up of hot hatches begins with the facelifted Clio RS of 2009-12. As such, it’s the 200 rather than the earlier 197, so called because it produces 200bhp, rather than 197bhp. Torque stays the same at 159lb ft, although it and peak power come 150rpm sooner. If these tweaks don’t sound much, their effect is enhanced by first, second and third gears being slightly shorter. The racier Cup version has 15% stiffer dampers than its predecessor and much stiffer springs than the standard 200. It’s 36kg lighter, too, and has a quicker steering rack. We found a 2010-reg with 62,000 miles and full service history for £4000. It threatens to make our featured standard-spec example, also a 2010 but with 85,000 miles,…

An expert’s view JAMIE PORTER, ALFA WORKSHOP “The 156 was a superb car and people forget it was pretty advanced. The 2.0 JTS engine had direct injection while the 2.4 JTD was the first commonrail passenger car diesel engine. My favourites are the 2.0-litre Twin Spark, 1.9 TD and 3.2 GTA. The rest you can forget. The 2.0 JTS was unreliable and suffered emissions problems, the 2.4 JTD was too heavy and not very economical, and the 1.6 and 1.8 TSs didn’t really catch on. The 2.5 V6 wasn’t very fast but it was thirsty, and the car itself was too soft. Today, rust is the biggest issue. The platform fares worst so always get a prospective buy on a ramp and poke about under it.” Buyer beware… ■ ENGINES…

“Expect a 0-62mph time of around 6.5sec and an all-electric range of up to 35 miles from the Cupra Leon” Seat will launch a bold new Leon in 2020 – which will include a hot 241bhp plug-in hybrid from sub-brand Cupra. As well as a redesign inside and out, the fifth-generation Leon will take its platform, powertrains and technology influence from the recently revealed Volkswagen Golf Mk8. The Cupra Leon hot hatchback and estate will initially be available solely as a plug-in hybrid. The new Leon is expected to be revealed at the 2020 Geneva motor show in March before going on sale very soon after. The model will take an evolutionary approach to its exterior design and retain a shape that’s familiar to owners of the outgoing Leon. Seat…

Ahead of the GLA’s launch, Autocar was invited for a ride in a near-production prototype at Mercedes-Benz’s Rastatt plant. With our time limited to an off-road course at low speeds, we can’t tell you much about the GLA’s character just yet. What we can confirm is that it’s capable of going places most prospective owners will never consider taking it. As with other new Mercedes compact models, the optional 4Matic four-wheel drive system has been re-engineered to offer fully variable apportioning of power to either the front or rear wheels. Traction on slippery surfaces is obviously a key strength, allowing it to climb and descend tricky obstacles without much trouble. Despite Mercedes’ insistence on showcasing the GLA’s off-road ability, though, it will be offered with standard bodywork only. A more…

THE IDEA OF an autonomous vehicle being “bullied” by other road users may sound fanciful but it really does happen and, says ZF global electronics strategy boss Aaron Jefferson, “is going to be a challenge”. If you’ve driven a car with adaptive cruise control (ACC), you may have experienced the frustration of another road user nipping into the radar-governed safe gap between you and the car in front on a busy motorway. Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles will be exposed to a wider range of progress-impeding circumstances like this, particularly when other road users are able to identify when a vehicle is functioning autonomously. Cars with automated motorway lane-change software will more easily be corralled into the lane that they want to leave, for example, and autonomous vehicles attempting to join…

Electric cars Manufacturers expect the arrival of a host of mainstream, relatively affordable electric cars to send sales surging. But will customers overcome their range anxiety and start buying them? The FCA-PSA deal Pending approval, expect swift moves as the Franco-US-Italian giant starts to act on its new-found scale. Could the next Fiat 500 be shifted to the Peugeot 208 platform? Brexit We should finally get some clarity – but the impact on the car industry is likely to be substantial. Tesla (again) Industry disruptor and Tesla CEO Elon Musk shocked the world with the Cybertruck – and Tesla will surely continue to have an impact on the industry far beyond its size.…

FREE AUTOGLYM BODYWORK WASH & PROTECT KIT WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TODAY ▪ 500ml PURE SHAMPOO ▪ 500ml RAPID AQUA WAX ▪ 1 x SPECIAL BODYWORK SPONGE ▪ 2 x PREMIUM MICROFIBRE CLOTHS WORTH OVER £20 SUBSCRIBE TO AUTOCAR For 124 years, Autocar has been dedicated to sharing with you our love of cars every week. You can turn your support of Autocar into access to an even more exclusive club by subscribing. Every Wednesday you’ll be first to read the magazine packed with news, reviews, insightful features, star columnists, used car buying advice and our expanded data section. You’ll also receive regular free supplements and gain access to exclusive benefits (see below). There has never been a more interesting or significant time for the car industry and we’d love for…

On a chilly, unnumbered country road, a rider of a pinto-patterned horse waves by the driver of a Day-Glo-coloured track car with a politeness undue to someone with vastly less business to be where he is than she. It’s five degrees above freezing, it’s December and we’re a few miles to the south of Silverstone: neither the time nor the place you’d pick to introduce yourself to a brand-new road-legal track car. But when have minor hurdles like that ever stopped us? The Rapture is the latest road-legal track-day special from Peterborough-based racing car builder Radical. A successor for the old SR3 SL, it is ostensibly an SR3 spaceframe prototype adapted to pass road safety homologation rules in Europe and elsewhere in the world. While it may be road-legal, however,…

BMW 330E M SPORT PLUS EDITION Genuine sporting appeal in a well-priced, low-emissions package. Outstanding. TESLA MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE AWD Unlikely to make the company car list; well worth opting out for. Really fast, properly usable EV. VOLVO S60 T8 AWD POLESTAR ENGINEERED Has more driver appeal in some ways than others but still plenty of dynamism and premium lustre. MERCEDES-BENZ C300DE EQ POWER AMG LINE Yet to test it in the UK but has impressed elsewhere. Diesel-electric motor suited to cruising. AUDI S4 TDI QUATTRO Shows how far out of the picture the hot diesel exec now is on CO2-based company car tax. Capable if a touch reserved.…

70% The margin by which Lamborghini’s global sales increased in 2018 following the introduction of the Urus SUV. A bit of inclement weather didn’t stop February from getting off to an exciting start. After all, surely there’s no better place to test the mettle of the new Mercedes-AMG A35 than the Peak District – in the middle of a blizzard. No sooner than Mercedes’ new fast A-Class had touched down on UK shores, road test editor Matt Saunders whisked it up north to do battle with Volkswagen’s masterful Golf R and find out if the newcomer had what it takes to dethrone our reigning all-weather hot hatch champ. The Merc might have had the advantage of proper winter tyres, as well as a four-wheel-drive system that seemed better equipped to…

1.1sec The time it takes for the McLaren 600LT Spider to accelerate from 40mph to 60mph in second gear. Talk about an overtaking weapon. You would have to search long and hard for a broader cross section of the road-testing universe than the contents of May’s quintet of magazines. Or for one more riven through with quality. With almost 300 miles of driving range, the relatively inexpensive Kia e-Niro was the subject of the month’s first full eight-page test and it duly claimed game-changer status in the world of electric cars. “It may do more than any other to convince people about the viability of zero-emissions motoring,” we said, although, like all such cars, it remains at the mercy of public charging infrastructure. Either way, it was further evidence that…

August presented the opportunity to test a car of huge significance: the Outspan Orange – sorry, I mean the Porsche Taycan. You know, Porsche’s first electric car, intended to prove that an EV can still be a genuine sports car. And definitely not a motorised orange (although we drove one of those as well). Andrew Frankel got behind the wheel of a pre-production Turbo S version, at a point when Porsche engineers were being all coy about confirming any real details. Even so, it was enough to convince Frankel who, while stopping short of calling it a true sports car, was impressed enough to declare it “the best electric car yet to go on sale – by a country mile”. As Frankel typed, Elon Musk was probably prepping Tesla’s engineers…

I really like the look of the new Skoda Superb iV (First drives, 4 December) but I’m very disappointed that manufacturers are continuing to quote (or being forced to quote) useless economy figures for their plug-in hybrids. No one is going to see 156.9mpg on any journey of more than a few miles. What’s most disappointing is that this doesn’t even appear to be a tricky issue to resolve. There are two significant economy numbers for a plug-in hybrid: how far it goes on electric power alone and how quickly it consumes petrol (or diesel) when the battery is depleted. d. Presumably, manufacturers are concerned that people would be much less likely to buy a plug-in hybrid if they quoted an economy figure of around 40mpg, despite the 20- to…

MILEAGE 8205 WHY WE’RE RUNNING IT To see whether our initial all-favourable impression of this pioneering electric crossover survives the scrutiny of up to 10 drivers, covering 10,000 rapid miles Fascinating to watch how our Jaguar I-Pace, which has been with us for 8200 miles and five months, has been improving gently as a motoring proposition. How? Well, for one thing, since it arrived, we’ve had chances to test the electric Jag against all recent comers – and found it still beats them all. Only Porsche’s Taycan looks a serious threat and that’s both pricier and not yet on sale. To reinforce the I-Pace’s position, Jaguar has just launched a suite of software updates that produce tangible improvements everywhere, as Mark Tisshaw reported in the 13 November issue. We’ve found…

MILEAGE 105,454 PORSCHE CAYENNE The old Flying Pig has been racking up problems that aren’t really its fault at the moment. In a moment of madness my daughter, after cleaning her Golf, decided to hose down her mother’s Porsche. She told us that the rear offside tyre was as flat as a pancake. It took a tank of compressed air and would stay up for half a day, so the puncture is slow enough to get to somewhere with the facilities to change it (there is no spare and I don’t use the gunge stuff unless things are desperate). Then we switch the lights on and bang, the nearside dipped beam bulb has gone.…

Who’d have thought the old Stuttgart taxi would have morphed into the sumptuous thing it is today, with its S-Class-aping looks, lashings of tech, a sophisticated drivetrain and soothing road manners? The Mercedes E-Class is not quite as driver focused as a BMW 5 Series but then not every exec wants to show a clean pair of heels. The current one was launched in 2016, when the cheapest version, the E220d SE auto, cost around £36,000. Today, the first 2016-reg examples with around 100,000 miles go from £15,000. Incidentally, if you’ve ever been ferried from the airport in an E-Class cab, you’ll know that the model is just warming up at 100,000 miles. Although we’ve named the more powerful 3.0-litre V6 diesel E350d as our pick (it was replaced by…

PEUGEOT 205 1.9 GTi This 1988 1.9 GTi had done 113,000 miles when it arrived in the ring. The pre-cat car (they’re more desirable than those with the emissions device) had a half-leather interior, a sunroof and a good if not full service history. Recent new parts included a starter motor, an alternator and an exhaust – all three to be expected at this age. With no advisories on the MOT and in what appears to be excellent condition, it’s just surprising it didn’t achieve more than its hammer price of £6995, especially when truly mint ones are making £25,000. Too good to be true?…

McLAREN HAS LAUNCHED a race-spec but road-ready variant to slot into its Sports Series line-up. Called the 620R, it’s limited to 350 examples and priced at £250,000, with deliveries starting in February. The 620R shares much of its chassis and aerodynamic hardware with the 570S GT4 racer but, free from race regulations, its 3.8-litre V8 is tuned to produce 612bhp. Torque is rated at 457lb ft. Combined with a kerb weight drop of about 30kg over the 570S, that allows for a 0-62mph time of 2.9sec, a 0-124mph time of 8.1sec and a top speed of 200mph. The 620R gets the GT4 racer’s lightweight coil-over set-up, with 32 clicks of manual adjustment, which combines with stiffer springs and antiroll bars plus solid stainless steel top mounts for, McLaren claims, greatly…

IT’S ALWAYS GOOD to try early prototypes of new technology, because although some fall by the wayside, plenty don’t. One such clever device is the electrically powered supercharger, generally used in conjunction with a traditional turbocharger to banish turbo lag, initially on diesel engines but now on petrol, too. With the current trend towards down-speeding of engines (lower revs to reduce friction losses), they’re even more relevant. Low revs equal reduced exhaust energy – worse on diesels because the exhaust is cooler in the first place. The trend to engine downsizing has a similar effect. One of the first major manufacturers out of the traps with production electric supercharging was Audi, which showed a prototype A6 with an electric supercharger system in 2013. Positioned between the turbo and engine, the…

CROATIAN SUPERCAR brand Rimac will unveil the production version of its four-motor, 1900bhp C_Two electric hypercar at next year’s Geneva motor show – and has secured a deal with London-based HR Owen to sell it in the UK. We sat down with the entrepreneur behind the firm, Mate Rimac. How have you managed to impress world car manufacturers so quickly? What is so special about you? “It’s not about being special. I just started working on these core concepts very early in my life – while I was still at school – and I was prepared to work my ass off. It probably helped not to have had a long career in big industry; it taught me how to do the things we needed without any hope of a big…

The car industry has always looked ahead, but it has never been more focused on the future than it is right now. It is a time of unprecedented change, with electrification, legislation, autonomy and other new technology set to profoundly affect the way cars are built, powered, driven and sold. During 2019, we’ve had glimpses of that future, with the launch of models such as the Porsche Taycan, Volkswagen ID 3 and Peugeot e-208 and the arrival in Europe of the Tesla Model 3. Those machines show the future is bright: the problem is that it’s not here yet. But the disruption being caused by all that change – and several other factors – is and was reflected in the turbulent state of the car industry in 2019. Here are…

At the start of 2010, the car industry was in tumult. The global financial crisis had caused major firms – notably GM and Chrysler – to collapse, car sales were declining and China was best known for making copycat knock-offs. As the decade draws to a close, many of those challenges seem trivial as the industry battles with the turmoil caused by Dieselgate, new emissions regulations and, in the UK, Brexit. It hasn’t all been bad, though. Market changes have helped both premium and budget firms to thrive, the SUV boom has transformed a number of firms and cars are safer and greener than ever. As the decade ends, here’s a snapshot of how the car industry has changed since 2010. Making headlines in the 2010s… DIESELGATE The 2015 revelation…

It’s all about the numbers with the RS Q8 and most of them are quite big ones: 592bhp, 590lb ft, 2315kg, 190mph, 23in (wheel size), £103,750… These are just a few of the headline figures. And then there’s 7min 42.253sec, which is the time it took this superheated SUV to lap the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife, making it the quickest car of its type to do so. This is a fast car, then, even among an ever increasing number of rapid off-roaders. And it feels it, too. This point was highlighted when we got the chance to ride shotgun around the Nürburgring with Audi factory ace Frank Stippler (Autocar, 6 November). Not only did it devour straights with alarming alacrity, but it also seemed to cope with corners equally effortlessly. Yet…

This is the first time we’ve driven the new, speedily developed Vauxhall Corsa on British roads. And if there’s anywhere it’s worth testing the Corsa, it’s here, the supermini’s biggest market – bigger even than sister brand Opel’s home, Germany. Most will be aware of the story behind the latest Corsa, developed in just two years after the PSA Group bought Vauxhall/Opel. Most will also know that it’s closely related to the new Peugeot 208, which we’ve yet to drive in the UK. Its shape is unrecognisable from the car it replaces, with a squat, purposeful stance thanks to a full 48mm lopped off the roofline. The variant range, too, is far less baffling, with two petrols, one diesel, the new all-electric model (more on that in the new year)…

MODEL TESTED T8 AWD POLESTAR ENGINEERED Price £56,105 • Power 400bhp • Torque 494lb ft • 0-60mph 5.4sec • 30-70mph in fourth 6.2sec • Fuel economy 33.9mpg • CO2 emissions 45g/km • 70-0mph 51.8m Since the turn of the millennium, Volvo has changed out of sight. Some may continue to think of the now Chinese-owned firm as a purveyor of boxy Swedish estates, but the situation on the ground couldn’t be more different. Catalysed by the arrival of the XC90 in 2002, Volvo’s growth has been built on an expanding range of suave, sophisticated SUVs. A look at its 2018 annual report confirms it: of the 642,253 cars sold globally last year, 56% wore ‘XC’ badges. It’s interesting to ponder, then, just where the subject of this week’s road test might…

Despite its strait-laced character on the road, the S60 Polestar Engineered demonstrated its sense of humour on the Hill Route at Millbrook. If there is a way to fully disable the electronic stability control, our testers couldn’t find it, but the chassis was nevertheless open to rotating on a trailing brake on the damp track, and in controllable fashion, thanks to the control and finesse of its Ohlins suspension. This is not a car that can easily be steered on the throttle, however, not least because the electric motor that drives the rear axle is too weak to allow it. Indeed, the powertrain can hardly be regarded as the sharpest of tools and, just like the gearbox, it performs its duties in competent but disinterested fashion. The enjoyment therefore comes…

Long established as one of the automotive world’s premier events, this year’s Geneva motor show saw mainstream manufacturers largely take a back seat as premium marques, hypercars and electric vehicles dominated the headlines. Pininfarina unveiled the 1900bhp Battista in full for the first time, the Polestar 2 arrived as a five-door fastback ready to take on the Tesla Model 3 and Koenigsegg continued to fly the flag for V8 power with the £2.3 million Jesko. The show arguably belonged to Aston Martin, its expansive stand playing host to a trio of concepts that look to shape the future of the British brand. None was immune from the industry-wide push towards electrification, with the £1m ‘Son of Valkyrie’ AM-RB 003 and the first mid-engined Vanquish both set to use hybrid V6…

980kg The claimed weight of Gordon Murray’s new all-carbonfibre, 641bhp V12 hypercar, the T50. It’s 120kg lighter than Murray’s original McLaren F1 and less than the weight of most superminis. A longside welcoming in the first few days of summer, June was also a month of optimism for the car with a nostalgic glint in their eye. Twenty-five years after Autocar exclusively road-tested the McLaren F1, its designer, Gordon Murray, secured another cover scoop with the unveiling of his new project, the T50 – one of the few times this year when the word ‘hypercar’ wasn’t preceded by ‘electric’. The T50 is clearly intended to revive the spirit of his original F1. The T50 sees a return of that iconic three-seat format, is remarkably light at under a tonne and…

MILEAGE 7889 WHY WE’RE RUNNING IT Because a plug-in hybrid diesel seems like the best of both worlds. But can reality live up to the theory? Last time I wrote about the 300de in this space, I promised the next report would be about anything other than the hybrid system. Which is going to be really difficult because, for reasons both good and bad, it affects everything from handling and ride through to performance and economy. And purchase price, running costs and practicality. But a promise is a promise, and so long as you don’t conclude that me explaining why I am not going to write about the hybrid system is in fact just a slightly cute way of writing about the hybrid system, it’s a promise I’m going to…

The Innocenti, by Frank Kirtley I promised to let you know what Frank Kirtley’s book, The Innocenti, was like. The protagonists – what a wonderfully old-fashioned term that is – are Diana and her boyfriend Jensen. The story is set in the 1980s and it’s a pretty straightforward Cold War spy plot which has them driving around Spain and France in a boxy Mini – itself a massive plus point. There are some twists, but it’s delightful to get into the back of the Inni with them and go along for the ride. Frank knows about cars and it shows. Would make a great film.…

Alfa Romeo 147 GTA Price £6000 Launched in 2002, the GTA’s 3.2-litre 24-valve V6 (it was shared with the 156 GTA, see overleaf) made 247bhp at 6200rpm and 220lb ft at 4800rpm. The model could sprint from 0-62mph in 6.1sec. Our find is a 2003-reg with 129,000 miles. The GTA has lowered and stiffened suspension and playful handling. Pumped-up wheel arches housing 17in alloys (whoppers in their day) along with sill skirts and air scoops aplenty complete the package. Interesting Alfas like this always have a following. Buy now before the few bargains vanish.…

The beautiful Alfa 156 was 21 this year. Around 6000 remain – a remarkably high number given the model has endured both the scrappage massacre of 2009 and, since 2015, the demonisation of old diesels. A third assailant is, of course, corrosion; a more subtle enemy that sees rust sneak up undetected until, one day, you get in the car and your foot plunges through the floorpan. The model was hugely popular with Alfistis but the German-buying crowd were never won over. Alfa’s reputation for unreliability hung over the 156 like a cloud. Save for a few bright spots (one owner gleefully reported 12,000 trouble-free miles in his Selespeed car), it was deserved. Time and again, reliability surveys ranked the model in the basement. Warranty companies bemoaned its high repair…