Autocar is the car nut’s weekly fix, delivering you a unique mix of the latest news, opinion, features, first drives of new cars and in-depth road tests – all complemented by the best photography in the business. No other magazine covers the subject you love with such enthusiasm, insight and quality every week of the year. Autocar stands for the highest quality in car journalism – and is rewarded with access to the best new cars and the biggest news stories before any of the opposition which we share with you, our readers, every week.
FORD IS THINKING BIG BY THINKING SMALL
Ford returns to small cars with crucial new platform • Forthcoming in-house small car platform key to electric Fiesta successor
Turbo S E-Hybrid is most potent Panamera • Petrol-electric four-door packs 771bhp for 0-62mph in 2.9sec
F-Pace holds Jag fort as JLR culls line-up
Engagement key to V8-only GTS
Ineos to focus on ‘boutique’ spin-offs • “Too cheap” Grenadier and shelved Fusilier prompt shift to Arcane Works programme
BYD: PHEVs have key role to play
AMG throws V8 lifeline as EVs falter • Mercedes hedges bets on ICE tech, but an “emotional” all-electric AMG is on its way
Hongqi sets sights on UK market with premium saloon and SUV
FLYWHEELS PUT FRESH SPIN ON CLEAN ENERGY
EV targets slip out of reach • Volume brands suffer most under ZEV mandate as half-year figures released
SECRET SOURCE • OUR INDUSTRY INSIDER
RB17 hypercar shows Newey ‘unleashed’ • Red Bull boss says rule-free halo car has “insane” performance
New Valiant unveiled as Alonso’s ultimate Aston Martin
TESTER’S NOTES
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MY WEEK IN CARS
RACING LINES
LEXUS LBX MORIZO RR • Small SUV now comes with fire in its belly, courtesy of a Toyota GR Yaris powertrain
FORD KUGA • Ford aims to keep big-selling SUV competitive with a fresh look and tech updates
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.5 eTSI • Refreshed and rationalised hatchback benchmark gets a welcome tech upgrade
KIA SORENTO • Seven-seat SUV sticks with what it knows in the face of new-generation rivals
KIA PICANTO • Facelifted city car offers stripped-back, simple driving fun at affordable prices
RENAULT CAPTUR E-TECH HYBRID • Stylish petrol-electric crossover tackles UK roads in updated range-topping guise
SKODA OCTAVIA 1.5 TSI E-TEC DSG • Is entry-level SE Technology spec actually the pick of the range?
THE E-TALIAN JOB • Abarth 500s and Mini Coopers have raced through busy cities and winding roads since the ’60s but now there’s a new twist. Illya Verpraet tries to blow their bloody doors off
GET ’EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT • You don’t have to go electric and spend more than £30k to get a fun hot hatch like a Mini Cooper or Abarth 500. Jonathan Bryce and Charlie Martin find deals from £2k
A SPOTTER’S GUIDE TO SUPERCARS • Some of the rarest supercars in the world can be found on London’s streets – if you know how and where to look. Supercar-spotting rookie Charlie Martin strikes gold
A KEY CAR FOR EUROPE • We need cheaper electric city cars created by rival makers pooling resources – and fast, says one industry boss. Hilton Holloway investigates the reality of that vision
Lotus Eletre • Going from diminutive sports cars to a posh hyper-SUV was a gamble. Has it paid off?
Data log
VERDICT • There’s plenty to like about the new Lotus, but little sign of the old Lotus
MG 4 • New Extended Range model has longer legs, more punch – and more to live up to
PEUGEOT E-208 • Right-sized supermini is proving fun to drive and at home on the motorway
DACIA SANDERO STEPWAY • Value-led...