TGR Feb 2015

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ISSUE 266 FEBRUARY 2015
There are 12,000 aerospace-grade rivets in the upper

section of Bloodhound SSCs body. This multitude
of tiny connections holds together a web of titanium
panels, all of which have been painstakingly curved by
hand into voluptuous three dimensions on an English
wheel a resolutely old-school coachbuilding tool. This is both terrifcally skilled
and hard work: aluminium is difcult enough to shape, and aluminium is several
times more malleable than titanium. To ensure structural rigidity somewhere
north of anything that has gone before it, both the panels and rivets are held in
place by a bonding agent that sets harder than rock. But if youre going to build
a car capable of 1,000mph, you have to do it properly. And Im going to help.
My job is simple: Im tasked with grinding each of the minor imperfections
created in this titanium tessellation of bodywork when the bonding agent oozes
out between the gaps in the rivets and panels. Or, to put it another way, Im
responsible in a small, repetitive way for increasing the aerodynamic efciency
of what I sincerely hope becomes the fastest car on the planet. The pressure not
to screw up is tangible there is a precious moment when benefcial sanding
can become destructive grinding but as the rivet count adds up, I become
increasingly proud to be a tiny part of this project. Proud, because Bloodhound
exists at the outer limits of automotive engineering. It occupies and operates in
a space that is set to challenge and redefne our understanding of speed, and
its a project we will remain close to and passionate about throughout its life.
That spirit of boundaries pushed, challenges met and gauntlets laid
down runs as a common thread through the stars of our cover in this months
unashamed celebration of the current crop of great Britons. And amid all the
real cars represented here, it would be all too easy to dismiss Bloodhound and
all land speed record projects as gallant irrelevance. But it is only by pushing
boundaries that we learn. In all sorts of unexpected ways. The solutions that
Bloodhound produces will by some degree open new possibilities to those
lower down the food chain. Above all, though, its Bloodhounds ability to
inspire the next generation of engineers I most admire. In years to come, I
have no doubt the future direction of the automotive industry will be guided
by those whose interest was born from this incredible enterprise and the
achievements of the Bloodhound gang.
Enjoy the issue,
PHOTO: STEFAN MARJORAM
CHARLIE TURNER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

@ TopGearEditor
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98
FEATURES
82 Jaguar XE 112 Eagle Speedster

Jaguars cunning plan to break You know your Lottery Garage?
into the all-but-impenetrable Well, time to make room in it
3-Series market is here. XEllent for a left-feld arrival...
92 Ford Focus TD ST 117 Magnus Walker 112

The Focus ST with a diesel? What Yorkshire man with dreadlocks
is Ford playing at? More to the relocates to Los Angeles and starts
point, will it be any good? hugely successful company. Eh-up!
98 Ford GT 122 Bloodhound vs Jag

Proper aero and a 600+bhp We go to South Africa to assist
EcoBoost V6 means this is
a new-school Ford supercar
Bloodhound with testing. Using
a new four-wheel-drive F-Type
104
104 LR Discovery Sport 134 Mini in Chile
Sam Philip takes the newest Land TopGear heads to South America
Rover product for a romantic in search of old Minis. Finds some.
weekend in a Scottish bothy Toasts success with a Pinochet Noir
134
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Volkswagen Passat 79
32 Ariel Nomad 56 James Mays almanac
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that is, then...
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016 FEBRUARY 2015 J TOPGEAR.COM

J E R E M Y
IT ALWAYS HAPPENS LIKE THIS... AS WITH

OTHER ONCE-MIGHTY BR ANDS, IT SEEMS THAT
ROLLS-ROYCE HAS LOST ITS WAY, SAYS JEREMY
hen you drive a Rolls-Royce, or It would have special dark blue paint containing little
even if you ride in the back, it fecks to make it look like the night sky. The roof lining
doesnt take very long for you to would be a star screen, with each star in precisely the place
W realise that its better than anything

youve driven or ridden in before.
This is because BMW understands
something important. That luxury
it would have been on the night the Phantom was frst
launched. Oh, and the dash would be festooned with
God knows how many actual diamonds. Big ones, too.
There was even a picnic hamper for the boot, which
is not measured by the number of was on ofer for about four hundred times more than it
buttons on the dashboard or how could possibly have cost to make.
many winking lights there are in the instrument binnacle. Its all And then there was the Abu Dhabi dealer who had
about space and light. And in a Rolls-Royce, theres so much space ordered a feet of Phantoms to his own design, with mother-
and light, you feel like youre outside, in a feld on a sunny July day. of-pearl inlays to refect the regions previous industry. And
This is even true of the Ghost. A small part of your head perhaps remind customers how lucky they were not to have
knows that, underneath, its a 7-Series BMW, but all fve of to dive for oysters any more.
your senses are telling you that it cant be. Intelligence tells This is nothing new. In the days of the Empire, for
you that youre being conned. But all the stuf that makes survival, Rolls-Royce relied on the Indian maharajahs, who
you human means you dont care. demanded all sorts of trinketry to set their cars apart: ivory
Ive always hoped that one day, when I no longer care about dashboards, golden lamps, seats made from peacock feathers.
exhaust snarl and getting past Peugeots as quickly as possible, Rolls-Royce sales staf would then have to wait weeks
I might have a Rolls-Royce. But then, last month, I caught for an appointment to see the customer, who, if he was
a programme on Channel 4, I think, about the company displeased in any way with the fnished product, would
and what its doing these days. And now Im thinking my simply give the car to his most lowly member of staf.
grandfather may have had a point: he always drove Bentleys And tell the man from Rolls-Royce to start again.
because, as he put it, Rolls-Royces are a bit vulgar. It was still going on in the Sixties. We know this because
We were shown the sort of people who buy Rolls-Royces who can forget John Lennons psychedelic Phantom V? And
these days, and they were all, how can I put this kindly... a
bit disgusting. The lottery winner was quite likeable, but then
there was a businessman who turned up to buy his Wraith
with a wife who was half his age and twice his height. LUXURY IS NOT MEASURED BY HOW
MANY WINKING LIGHTS THERE ARE
He spoke at length about how hed tailored his car to make
sure that if anyone parked alongside it, they would feel second
best. Had he never heard of Harry Enfeld, I wondered. I
couldnt help noticing that Im considerably richer than yow.
Plainly not, and that thought took us inside the factory IN THE INSTRUMENT BINNACLE
where the craftsmen were working on a special version of
the Phantom called the Celestial.

J E R E M Y
THE BRITISH HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAY

enormous golden chandelier in the back, we can say:
ILLUSTRATION: MATTHEW BILLINGTON

That is very striking, Sir, which gives the poor chap
a sense that hes chosen wisely. When in fact we mean:
ONE THING IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE MEAN That is ghastly, you cretin.
Most unusual is another phrase that a Rolls-Royce
SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT salesman can use to describe a customers choice. By

which he means rubbish.
And heres the brilliance. The customer has a sense
hes being talked down to, and he quite likes it. Certainly,
he expects it because thats another character trait of the
English: sneering arrogance.
Channel 4 has reminded us that its still going on today. And I would love to work on the Rolls-Royce sales force,
all of that begs a question. because can you imagine how much fun you could have
Every single person who was interviewed said that what signing people with no taste and no style up to all
they thought of most of all when buying a Rolls-Royce was the sorts of ridiculous options that will make them
Britishness of the whole thing. Our chum from Abu Dhabi look even more stupid than they already are:
drew our attention to the umbrella that fts in a slot in the Oh yes, Sir. Pink is very much in this season,
door. Not much use in the Middle East, but a rolled brolly? and what about lining the interior with old
Thats about as British as it gets. TOPGEAR IS ON cardboard boxes to remind you of your life
Even the German man who runs the company these days BBC2 AT 8PM before you won the lottery?
EVERY SUNDAY
said that he writes to all new customers in English, no matter NIGHT And: Congratulations on your record going
where they might be in the world, because thats what people to the top of the pop charts, Mr Warbler. Maybe
expect. Rolls-Royce, then, is very much like the royal family: we could celebrate this remarkable achievement
German, but perceived to be as British as a beef n ale pie. by having one of our craftsmen write the score of your
But hang on a minute. Theres nothing British about wonderful song down the fanks in a special new paint
encrusting a dashboard with a million quids worth of our engineering team has just secured. Its made from
diamonds, or lining the footwells with half a hundredweight squid ink and is just 40,000 a gram.
of dead rabbits. There may be pockets of ostentation outside Its all to do with stance and tone. You genufect and bow
the major cities Surrey, Solihull, Cheshire and Dore, to name slightly and use the word Sir a lot to give the impression you
four but this is not how we are viewed on the world stage. are very much the underdog. But you know all the time that
We are seen as being quiet, dignifed, restrained and youre not. And he knows you know. And doesnt really mind.
prepared to make do and mend. So how are Rolls-Royce selling In the immortal words of Swiss Toni, You have to make
a product on its Britishness when its none of those things? him think that his is bigger but, in order to sell it to him,
Simple. Because we have the ability to say one thing in such you have to know that yours is the biggest.
a way that we mean something completely diferent. Only the British can really pull that of.
This means that when someone asks for his Rolls-Royce Yes, I know Toni was Swiss, but the man who created
to be ftted with candelabras on the front wings and an him was Charlie Higson. And he isnt.
0 20 FEBRUARY 2015 J TOPGEAR.COM

A PURGE OF SOME WONDERFUL RUST BUCKETS FROM
THE HAMMOND COLLECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
MEANS SOME NEW ARRIVALS NEED TO BE MASTERED...
should have waited to write messed about trying to make expensive, luxury and sweat before popping it away to wait for a day
this. Im tempting fate; this is a motorcycles during the Great Depression then failed when I could get to grips with its peculiar ways.
I
mistake. Anyway, Im teaching to get military contracts during World War II). And that day is today. I have prepared. I have sat
myself to drive today. More The point is, these two machines are steeped in on a kitchen chair and imitated an F1 driver before a
specifcally, to drive and ride. stories from some of the less well-trodden avenues race, rehearsing in my mind and hands and feet the
Ive complicated my life in of the motoring past, and each is a rolling history moves I will make. I have checked fuids and brakes,
recent months by having a lesson in its own right. They are also, as it turns tensioned cables and kicked tyres. It is not raining or
clear-out of some of the various hulks and wrecks out, bloody difcult to operate. I like a challenge. snowing. I possess fully functioning limbs. And I am
lurking about the pile of mud and stone where I live I learned to fy helicopters and even to drive a scared. I shall take of into the country alone to learn
and replacing them with more interesting, possibly Ford Model T. Neither of those, even with all their or, rather, relearn the business of driving a car
even functioning, toys. And thats the point: I fendish, counterintuitive complexities, can generate and riding a motorcycle. And at such a time, it is
undertook this exercise intending to simplify my anything to compare with the wash of confusion that inevitable that I shall refect upon what a colossal
life, to cut down on paperwork and maintenance foods the simple Brummie mind when confronted privilege it is to drive anything at all, wherever the
and replace the many with the important few. with a car in which the position of brake and accelerator and clutch are.
So, gone are some of the bought-to-impress accelerator pedals are switched and the gearlever Driverless cars will come, of course, and they will
cars and fashy bikes including a BMW HP4 road is on the right, from where it operates a gearbox be great. Sources of motive power that today seem
rocket of a bike I miss already and a Land Rover I that appears to have been ftted upside down. And wildly futuristic will whizz and hum us about to work
should NEVER have parted with. And in the place even that is simple compared with frst sitting on a and play with everyday efciency. Who knows, given
of this outgoing crowd of hustle, bustle and on-track, motorcycle to discover that the right-hand clutch that the frst thing we have done with every other
of-road sporting pretensions sit two items. One is a lever is now a left-foot clutch pedal, the left-foot form of transport is devise a means of racing it,
1932 Lagonda 2.0-litre Supercharged Tourer, and gear pedal is now a left-hand lever by the tank, the maybe we will one day watch driverless car races,
the other is a 1946 Indian Chief. You will, of course, right-hand throttle twistgrip is now a left-hand their operators safe and comfortable in the pits while
be familiar with these two machines (unlike others, throttle twistgrip but the right-hand grip still twists to their charges battle it out like robot gladiators on the
who might not appreciate that one is a vintage, operate the ignitions essential advance and retard track. But the business of driving, of being in
British, four-seater, open touring car from a company facility. Better still, on starting it up a charge of the machine that is transporting
set up in Staines in 1906 by an American ex-opera process which can involve, if not begun you from where you are to where you
singer, while the other is the product of an American at precisely the right point on the want to be, will always, I believe, have
motorcycle company that nearly outdid Harley at the crankshafts turn, a quick trip through a place in our hearts.
beginning of time but then sort of fell apart when it the roof of the garage I discovered At the risk of getting all slushy and
that someone had gone to the trouble TOPGEAR IS ON romantic in a car magazine, we are
BBC2 AT 8PM
I HAVE TENSIONED of switching the throttle and advance/

retard twistgrips, thus undoing all the
EVERY SUNDAY
NIGHT
travellers and wanderers. We talk about
exploring space, landing things on
CABLES AND KICKED visualisation I had practised in readiness

for the bikes arrival.
comets and on Mars, and its exciting, yes,
but it doesnt really count until weve actually
TYRES. I POSSESS FULLY So there they both sit. They look lovely, they
gleam, they sparkle with history and sing of a time
been there ourselves. Simply knowing something
is there and is like this or like that is never quite
FUNCTIONING LIMBS... when cars and bikes were a kind of miracle, capable
of hurtling us humdrum sacks of fesh about the
enough: we have to go there, to know that human
feet have stood there and human eyes have looked
AND I AM SCARED place at impossible speeds. And neither has yet
turned a wheel under my command. Well, I drove
at it. So once again, Im far from worried about the
future of the car and the motorcycle. We want em.
the Lagonda up the drive when it was delivered and So well always have em. Theres no putting this of,
arrived at my garage door in a cloud of clutch smoke is there? Right, Im of back to school.

ITS A SAD DAY WHEN YOU REALISE
THAT YOUR CHILDHOOD SUPERHERO
ISNT AS SUPER AS YOU IMAGINED...
his, I suspect, is going to Aston Martin did, of course, produce the Do you know what I think it is? Aston Martin
be a contentious question. Lagonda, which I still think is one of the most has long been trying too hard to be British. Its a
T
Have Aston Martins ever modern-looking cars ever made. It still looks problem that aficts many enterprises in Britain,
really been any good? modern. But the sad truth is that it never actually from housing that blends in to pie fllings.
Glorious, yes. Caddish, worked properly. The Bulldog would have been I recently had a massive argument with
of course. Likeable, most utterly brilliant, but they had the good sense a well-known brewer, who kept banging on
defnitely. A little bit to stop after one. about craft heritage and the tradition of beer.
knowing, quite possibly. A keystone of this In the Nineties, I was able to start driving I drink a lot of supposedly traditional beer,
nations sense of its own identity as evinced by the things. By then, Aston Martin had become but I drink it because its nice, not because
the more memorable of its industrial products, the slightly troublesome child of the British it was delivered on a horse-drawn dray or
like Mallard and Concorde yes, yes, all right. motor industry, one that frustrated us endlessly made by a man in an apron.
But actually that good? Im not sure. but whom we loved for doing its best. There And its all nonsense anyway. The brewery
It pains me to say this, because as a lad I was a certain cussed appeal in the ancient yard is full of Swedish-made lorries, and the
could imagine nothing more wonderful than a panel-working techniques and those blokes inside of a brewery is like a microbiology R&D
V8 Vantage (Im talking about the one from the pushing engines across the main road on centre, full of computers and a few people in
Seventies, which is when I was a lad, not the more wooden trolleys. I really liked the V8 Coupe, sterile white coats. Enforced tradition is just
recent one). The thought of that car kept me but possibly only because no one would let something made up for tourists.
awake longer than the thought of Catherine me drive a Ferrari 456 back then. So I think Aston Martin should start by
Bradley did. Somewhere on the bookshelves, I still The DB7 was the dawn of the new Aston, I ditching that homage to the old DB grille
have an ancient copy of Car magazine: Advantage seem to remember. New factory, new production and introducing some proper edges to its
Aston! proclaims the cover, and there is the V8 methods. It was nice, but it was really an old Jag designs. Note that Ferrari, which has a more
Vantage. Its brittle with age and use. with a slightly mishmash interior. Then there compelling heritage than most carmakers,
Going back to the Sixties, Seventies and was the DB9, and that really was a new doesnt get bogged down in any of
Eighties, we fnd some fne Astons, oh yes; beginning. And since then and I hate this stuf. Its cars move on, and are
including that one. But a little research shows that to sound like my dad theyve all contemporary. Some of them have
contemporary Italian stuf was a bit less lumpen, and looked the same. been a bit shocking, but theyre
Jags were always more modern and a lot cheaper. Now, dont hit me with the always of the moment.
Porsche 911 argument. The 911 is TOPGEAR IS ON And so to the DB10: another
BBC2 AT 8PM
SINCE THE DB9 AND presented as various versions of the

one car. Its looked largely the same
EVERY SUNDAY
NIGHT
new direction, apparently. The
lights are a bit narrower, and the
I HATE TO SOUND LIKE for 50 years, I know, but Porsche has

earnt this privilege because it kept going,
windows are shallower I can see that.
But the rear wheelarches are daft, and
MY DAD ASTON like AC/DC. It never re-formed.

Meanwhile, Aston seems to be wringing
it still looks basically the same.
Believe me, I want to love Aston Martin,
MARTINS HAVE ALL the last drop of blood out of admittedly a

perfectly nice bit of styling to the point where its
but I think some radical action is needed. So
heres another contentious suggestion; in fact,
LOOKED THE SAME become a bit boring. And to be honest, although
Ive been very happy driving various modern
Im going to make it and then take cover.
Perhaps the best thing that could happen
Astons, they never quite give me the fzz. Theres to Aston Martin is if James Bond stopped
something slightly contrived about them. driving one.

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E D I T E D B Y P I E R S WA R D
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NEW CARS THIS MONTH
BIG THIS MONTH
The wait is over

Hondas hybrid NSX has landed at last TURN OVER

FINALLY!
Its the new NSX
Quarter of a century after Sennas original supercar, its tech-laden successor has arrived BY PAT DE VEREUX
O
K, you can breathe out now. Whatever. As complicated as the the petrol engine, or the combined might
This is, at long last, the new power generation sounds, its merely the of V6 and the trio of electric motors.
Honda NSX in its production beginning of a long and involved journey But, either way, with anything much less
form. And with so many changes before it gets to the four tyres. There are than 600bhp, the NSX will not be able to
to the New Sports eXperience three active systems onboard, each more keep up with its intended rivals: the 911
project over the seven years since fendishly complicated than the last. Turbo and Ferrari 458. Notice no mention
the second-gen car was announced, lets First up is Sport Hybrid Super- of the McLaren 650S in that list? So did we.
start by confrming exactly what the Handling All Wheel Drive, which fnesses The new NSX has a mixed material
production spec is on the new version your ham-fsted braking, steering and spaceframe anchored by a carbon-fbre
of Lord Ayrtons favourite supercar. throttle inputs to keep the car heading foor that, together with some magical
The NSX drivetrain is a 75-degree in the right direction. Second is Agile bonding technology, promises to make
twin-turbocharged dry-sumped V6 mated Handling Assist, which applies the brake body fex something that other cars do.
to a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission. on the inside front wheels to make the Some of the body panels are formed out of
On top of that, there are three electric car turn faster. And, fnally, theres the aluminium, the rest are composite.
motors one for each of the front wheels Integrated Dynamics System, a four-mode
and another to fll in the torque gap when dial that allows you to alter the rabidity
the engines turbos are spooling up. So, of the NSXs character. Gearshift paddles, two
pedals: an old-school
yes, its a four-wheel-drive hybrid. Theres also a Zero Delay launch supercar this is not
If that all sounds very supercar function, which is said to give the NSX an
zeitgeisty, theres more in the same vein. ability to pull of starts that one Honda
That engine would suggest a clear link spokesman described as frightening.
even in marketing terms only between Faster than a GT-R? Yes. Comfortably
this engine and the new turbocharged faster than a Tesla Model S, too? Yes
V6 hybrid F1 unit that will power the again. That puts the all-wheel-drive NSX
McLaren team next year. Its all purely frmly in the sub-three-second 060mph
coincidental, according to Honda. bracket. Little on the planet is faster.
Or is it? The NSX concept changed Despite hinting at this towering
powerplants mid-stream one of the performance, Honda still still! wont
reasons the car is so late. Perhaps this was reveal the total power output of the car
V6 petrol sends
because Honda had decided it was ready power to the rears,
until closer to its launch this summer,
to rejoin F1 and wanted the road car to electric motors but has admitted to a fgure of over
share DNA with its racers. manage the fronts 550bhp. It wasnt clarifed if that was just
02 8 FEBRUARY 2015
Acura badge will
become Honda
for Euro markets
Faster than a GT-R? Yes.

Packaging has been key to being able to
achieve the NSXs desired performance, LONG TIME COMING
Its firmly in the sub-

Honda says. By concentrating as much of
HERES HOW THE NSX EVOLVED
the mass towards the middle of the car, FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY
3secs 060mph bracket

the NSX has what Honda claims to be the
lowest centre of gravity in its class. There
is fully independent all-aluminium
suspension front and rear, acting on
19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels.
When it goes on sale in the US this
summer, the new NSX will cost around
$150,000. So expect a similar number in 2012 Acura NSX Concept
sterling when the UK price list goes live.
And the NSXs, contrary to initial reports,
havent sold out already. Dealers have
ordered all the available UK cars, but not
all have yet been sold. So make nice with
the Civic salesman next time you see him. 2013 Honda NSX Concept
Why is it badged an Acura, not a
Honda? Acura is Hondas posh brand in
the US. Controversially, the new NSX is
going to be built in the US, not in Tochigi,
Japan where the original NSX was built.
But, dont worry; itll be called a Honda 2015 Final production Honda NSX
when it gets here.

Incy 4C Spider
Alfas flyweight sports car has gone convertible. Roll on summer
LOOKS FAMILIAR?
4C arrives all but
unchanged from last
years Geneva concept
Design features
strategic use of
circle motif
F
or all its dynamic faws and, cleverly hidden so the 4C doesnt become
sadly, there are many one thing a pancake if it inverts.
Alfa Romeos dinky 4C has never Youll also notice the coupes opinion-
lacked is beauty. And now, thanks splitting moon crater headlights have been
to the removal of its roof, the replaced, with leaner carbon-fbre clusters
two-seat sports car has been rendered from the 4C concept car now adorning the
yet more jaw-slackeningly attractive. front. Unfortunately that cars see-through
Theres no complex retractable folding engine cover has been shelved.
hard top here, just a soft, stowable canvas Power comes from the same 237bhp
rag. Buyers can spec an optional carbon- mid-mounted 1.7-litre turbo four-cylinder
fbre hard-top, but theres nowhere to engine as the hard-top. Connected to the
store it when the sun comes out. Apart same frustrating six-speed dual-clutch
from your garage. automatic gearbox, the Spider is just as
Thanks to the 4Cs pre-preg carbon-fbre quick as the coupe: 060mph is seen of
monocoque, were told that the de-roofng Cabin features in 4.1 seconds and itll push on to 160mph.
more air than
hasnt hindered the chassis stifness, or made the 4C coupe An new optional centre-exit lightweight
the Spider stack on the pounds. carbon-tipped Akrapovi exhaust should
Thinner glass in the windscreen and happily fll your ears with the dump valves
side windows, plus a new carbon-fbre chumpfng and chirruping once youve gone
windscreen frame bonded and bolted to to all the efort of peeling the roof of.
the chassis, has kept the weight gain over No word on price yet, but expect a
the coupe to mere 10kg. Amazing, tag just north of 50k. Heres hoping
considering that additional strengthening the soft-top will transform the 4C into
and aluminium rollover bars have been the car it always promised to be.

THE
Headlights
defnitely not
inspired by Jag XF KNOWLEDGE
THIS MONTHS
IMPORTANT NEWS,
IN BITE-SIZED MORSELS
Dont want a 4-Series?

Infiniti serves up a wavy alternative to BMWs two-door
1
Bentleys SUV will be
called the Bentayga
Production version of EXP 9-F
concept will land in 2016 with, um,
an unusual nameplate. Apparently its
a mountain in the Canary Isles. Were
T
told the Bentayga will be the most
he Q60 is to the Infniti Q50 the 21-inch hoops will survive to expensive SUV around. Get saving
saloon what a 4-Series is to production is another question.
a 3-Series. Just more obscure, Because it was launched at the Detroit
because Infnitis are still a pretty show, the only talk was of a petrol engine,
oddball choice here (though not a brand-new V6 3.0 turbo the current
in America, where Nissans luxe Q60 Coupe has a 3.7 unblown job related
brand does well). to the Nissan 370Zs. The engine is part of
Strictly, this Q60 is a concept car, a family of turbo petrols to be introduced
2
but, says the spiel, A concept vehicle for across the Infniti range. For the Q60, no
which Infniti has a frm and clear intent output was specifed, but the same engine
Jaguars SUV will
for production. The real thing arrives next was rated at 440bhp in the Q80 Concept
be called the F-Pace
Production version of C-X17 concept
year. No doubt the silhouette and boldly at Paris. If Infniti hopes to sell any Q60s
will land in 2016 with, um, an unusual
undulating surfaces are what well see in in Europe itd be mad not to add a diesel. nameplate. Itll use the skeleton and
production. Same with the dash, which is Obscure? Yes. But next year, people engine of the new XE (p82) with
a mildly jazzed-up version of that already might be slowly waking up to the brand 4WD smarts from its Range Rover
found in the Q50. But whether the over here, because the Nissan Sunderland cousins. Sounds F-ing promising
F1-inspired details the front spoiler, the plant will be turning out the Infniti Q30
barge boards aft of the front arches or small crossover.
Infniti? They make,

um, washing
machines, right?
3
Revised Cayenne
Turbo S is Ring king
Porsches new 562bhp V8 monster
has lapped the 14-mile Nrburgring
Nordschleife in 7m59s, becoming
the frst SUV to dip under the eight-
minute barrier. Your move, Range
Rover Sport SVR...
Dont want an M5? Meet the last stand

for N/A super-saloons
4
If you consider the BMW M5 a naturally aspirated V8 feeding
bit stridently German, heres the rear wheels. Sure, its not Shelbys GT350R is
your Japanese alternative: Lexuss as powerful as the big, blown the hardest Stang yet
GS F saloon. A companion piece Germans or supercharged Jag, 500bhp-plus fat-crank V8,
to the RC F coupe, it shares but as a last hold-out of rapier- adjustable dampers, no interior to
the same engine, driveline and sharp unforced induction weve speak of: Ford reckons the GT350R
suspension, meaning a 470bhp got to tip our hats to the big F. is the meanest production Stang in
the pony cars 51-year history. Cant
go round corners what-now?
1 It looks utterly
bonkers
Like an Atom thats collided
with a Dakar buggy. The
bronze-welded steel-tube frame
2 Its as fast as
a Ferrari 458
The Nomad uses the same
engine as the US-spec Atom,
a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated VTEC
isnt completely carried over, though. four-cylinder sourced from Honda. It
Its had to be reshaped in some areas, develops 235bhp at 7,200rpm and
the suspension mounting points 221lb ft at 4,300rpm, and drives the
have been moved and theres that rear wheels only through a six-speed
whacking great top structure. But manual box. As a result, the Nomad
the Nomad isnt big at 322cm long is decidedly un-slow. Zero to 60mph
its almost 20cm takes a mere 3.4 seconds. Top speed?
shorter than the Well, that depends on the tyres. Fit full
Atom, but has a knobblies and youre limited to under
Somersets tractor marginally longer 100mph, but on slicker rubber itll
meets will never wheelbase. go all the way to 135mph.
be the same again
REA SON S
EE
YOU N MADD A N 3 Itll of-road like a
Defender. Maybe
L N O
The Nomads suspension has
ARIE
250mm of travel not much
less than a factory WRC car and
the dampers have been developed
and tuned by Bilstein. Think of
its capabilities as being broadly the
nt one
same as a Land Rover Defender or
er, and you wa rally car, Ariels Tom Siebert told us.
f- road broth
Unfortunately, the Nomad is unlikely
the At om s o f
Its
to be eligible for stage rallying, but
with approach and departure angles
of 71 and 82 degrees, itll haul over
obstacles a Defender 90 (47
degrees at both ends) might not.
Next up: the Ariel

MPV-convertible.
Well, we can dream
4 5
Itll do the business on road. And sand It has an ace options list
Where the Atom is for road and track, the Nomad is for road and of-road. Like the Atom, you can spec bigger Alcon brakes and adjustable dampers
So you dont need to have these vast 235/75 R15 mud-plugging tyres, but but, unlike the Atom, you can have a winch assembly, roof spotlights, aerials
instead, should you prefer, some all-season rubber, or maybe a set of 18s with and even a full front windscreen. Throw everything at the Nomad, and the
low-profle tyres. Ariel is also working on a sand set-up, with narrow front tyres and kerbweight will climb from 670kg to 735kg, the price from 33k to about 42k.
huge paddle rear tyres, ideal for scaling dunes. The perfect one-car garage? Shop cleverly and you should be able to make it look exactly like a Tamiya Frog.

Crossovers get crosser Thought the SUV world could fragment no further?
Volvo, Merc and VW believe otherwise
MERCEDES GLE 63
VOLVO S60 CROSS COUNTRY
VW CROSSBLUE COUPE GTE
C
armakers are predicting that, now ready for slicing twice as fne. Tiguan. And, in the US, a Tiguan LWB
within the next few years, SUVs Because its not a niche any more: its seven-seat, which is still smaller than
and crossovers will account for mainstream. Oh, and theres already a the seven-seat Crossblue. Still with us?
four out of every 10 cars sold fre-breathing AMG version, armed Volvo already has two sorts of
worldwide. And those gazillions with a 577bhp 5.5-litre turbo V8. crossover: the conventional XC60 and
of buyers wont all want the Volkswagen did roughly the same new XC90 (with an XC40 to come). Oh,
same as each other. So we can expect thing, albeit without the deranged and the Cross Country variants, which
to see almost as much variety in sizes, horsepower. Next year, VW will launch are just the normal saloons, hatches
shapes and types of crossover as we do a bulky seven-seat crossover called the and wagons with extra ride height and
of cars. And at the Detroit show, the Crossblue in the US, but the Crossblue a bit of cladding. So down the runway
evidence was all around. Coupe GTE Concept shows it will likely GTE Concept at Detroit came the S60 Cross Country,
Mercedes launched the GLE Coupe. decide to add a sleeker second body previews a rush of available in FWD and 4WD. A saloon
In the new Mercedes badging scheme, style later. Sleeker being a relative term. VW crossovers. Joy crossover? Nothing is impossible.
anything that starts with a G means a VWs engineering chief Heinz-Jakob Seriously, nothing. We know
raised body: see the GLA already. Later Neusser told TopGear the Crossblue of at least one manufacturer
this year, a more upright-tailed GLE doesnt replace the Touareg thats a actively planning a
will directly replace the ML, but this luxury vehicle that will live on to its mid-engined two-seater
is an additional GLE Coupe, a rival to third generation. And there will be a with the same sort
the BMW X6 with its back end tapered more coupe-like Golf crossover, and of crossover mods.
like a licked lolly. Mercedes reckons another related to the Polo to cover of Watch this curiously
the niche for this size of crossover is the Mokka/Captur market. And a new high-riding space...

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH
Mercs F015 Concept?

variable seating, with rotating ice-white safety structure makes up for the lack of
Chief execs of 2030, your nappa leather-trimmed chairs, cradled a B-pillar. The F015s LED lights pulse blue
self-driving limo is here in polished aluminium mounts and

highlighted with blue LED strips.
when the car is in self-driving mode, white
if a wobbly human is in charge.
Entertainment is delivered via six Is this autonomous car thing really
WT, and indeed, F? integrated hi-res display screens, operated going to happen?
The F015 Luxury In Motion Concept, a by proximity sensors, gesture control and Yes, as soon as law-makers catch up. This
vision not just of 2030s S-Class but also a eye tracking. The steering wheel only glides is a robot on wheels, says Paolo Malabuyo,
fully autonomous car. Theoretically youll into position if the F015 is being driven head of Mercs VP of UX Design. The big
be able to drive it yourself, but the subtext manually, and the main dash display runs challenges around a car like this are where
is, why would you want to? the full width of the interior. Theres wood technology, society and policy converge.
Er, why wouldnt I? on the foor and open-pore walnut on the The tech is currently more mature than the
Cars will turn into mobile homes that dash. The F015 is a lavish antidote to policy, and we know there is a big trust
enable people to do exactly what they want commuter drudgery. issue for consumers when it comes to
or need to do, Merc CEO Dieter Zetsche Whats under the, um... bonnet? autonomous cars.
told us during the cars unveiling at the Its powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that
giant CES tech fest in Las Vegas. This is produces 272bhp, enough for a respectable
WORDS: JASON BARLOW
the redefnition of automotive luxury. It 062mph fgure of 6.7 seconds, a top speed
builds on the concept of a third place of 124mph and 682-mile range. An AMG
in addition to the home and ofce. version seems unlikely. The body is a
Thats quite a cabin... weight-saving mix of carbon fbre In the future,
Unsurprisingly, the F015 is best enjoyed reinforced plastic, aluminium and steel. kempt facial hair
inside. The interior is dominated by The doors open outwards, and a special will be mandatory

PAUL HORRELL ON
TALKING TO ANDY GREEN
The world land-speed record
holder discusses g and floating
M
ost high-level motorsport is bound by tight the calm of the man is almost bizarrely at odds with the
IMAGES: FLOCK LONDON

and prescriptive rules that make the cars intense violence of the events hes describing.
uncannily similar. But the fastest, the land- But otherworldly calm is exactly why he has the job. He
speed record, is diferent. The code of few fast jets over Iraq and Afghanistan. He captains the RAF
regulations, pretty much in its entirety, Cresta Run team. Has an Oxford frst in maths. Plus hes held
says: Go as fast as you damn well can through the current land-speed record for a towering 17 years. A feat
a one-mile straight course. Turn around and that involved coolly correcting a full-lock tank-slapper at 600-
do it again within the hour. Keep your wheels odd miles an hour, and electing to keep Thrust SSCs jet engines
on the ground. Actually, that last stipulation is fully lit. In Bloodhound, he performs a complex series of checks
irrelevant to Wing Commander Andy Green. If, as planned, and operations throughout the run, above and beyond the actual
he beats 1,000mph in spring 2016, it doesnt matter whether steering. It demands both high-level physical skills and rapid
or not the rules mandate he stays on the ground, because no yet unfailingly methodical decision-making.
aircraft has ever gone that fast at low altitude. Nor, come to All the while, hes being given a right battering. For fun,
that, the bullet from a Magnum. Green fies an aerobatic plane thatll briefy give him 10g. But
Anyway wheels on the ground isnt a fxed concept. At in Bloodhound, hitting top speed means an average 1g for a full
that speed, the shockwaves from Bloodhounds wheels will minute, right by the limit where even the best-prepared humans
be pounding the desert pan into a churning semi-gaseous dry become so disorientated they dont even know which way is up.
froth with no defnable surface. The rims, in efect, foat. This And at that point, his cockpit is hitting the air at 1,000mph.
presents Green with steering issues. At about 300mph this loss Hes held Loud enough in itself. But the jet needs subsonic air, so theres
of surface defnition demands big sweeping steering like a speed diferential of 300mph over the canopy, which produces
driving on ice, he says. Hes speaking calmly, as he always the current immense shockwaves. He can hardly hear himself think.
does, even though you and I might not be especially calm about
doing 300mph-plus on ice with a jet engine up our chuf. While
land-speed He can choose to abort a run at any time. But after the
measured mile, when he lifts of, drag slows the car down at
pressing a button to light the trio of supplementary rockets. record for 3g to 800mph. Now comes what he calls his single compulsory
Still, as he points out, worse is yet to come. At really big
speeds, the wheels themselves become aero-rudders and any
a towering decision: to hit the air brakes. If he misses the correct instant,
hell run out of desert. If he gets it right, he calmly turns around
small defection exerts a huge lateral force, so hes giving the 17 years and does it all again.
tiny delicate inputs of a brain surgeon.
Green is a consummate ambassador for the Bloodhound
projects engineering. Yes, it is rocket science. He mentions
that one per cent of the worlds R&D budget is spent in the UK
yet we overperform by devising 16 per cent of all inventions,
and to take advantage we need to double our annual number of
STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) graduates.
Inspiring that new generation is Bloodhounds primary goal
well, aside from the big one-triple-oh. So Green, apart from
being the hero in the pointy rockety thing, is also the face of
a vast schools outreach programme and YouTube campaign.
An unlikely face, perhaps. Because the one thing Green
hardly ever does is emote. Hes deeply passionate about it all,
but not visibly excited. When a camera is jammed in his face,

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as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect all driving results. Please see MG.CO.UK or ask your local dealer.
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STORIES FROM OUR WEIRD WORLD, WITH ADDED BITS FROM THE TELLY BOYS
EDITED BY DAN READ
For
the first time, a flat
cap is used as active aero
TG FINDS PLEASURE IN LIFES SMALL THINGS
p46 p50 p52 p54

TWIN TEST HAMMONDS ICONS Q&A TOPGEAR ARCHIVE
Airbus A400m Atlas versus Volvo FH16-750 Feeling hungry? Time for a jam sandwich? Mmmm Seasick Steve takes his TopGear driving test The first Presidential motorcade. Stand aside

HONEY,
I SHRUNK
THE SKID S
P L A N E T / P O C K E T C L A S S I C S AT D U N S F O L D
IS IT A BIG MAN AND SMALL CAR OR A SMALL

CAR AND BIG MAN? OR IS IT SIMPLY AS MUCH
FUN AS YOU CAN HAVE WITH EIGHT BHP?
WORDS: DAN READ /
PICTURES: ROWAN HORNCASTLE

Twist the key, and
push the pedal to
release the full 8bhp
y colleague Oliver Marriage is a chunky engines, they make do with 110cc, single-
gentleman of some distinction. cylinder petrol engines usually found in a Honda
M
He does his fies up every Cub. Both have about 8bhp. Steady on.
morning. Takes his hat of They have proper suspension and Brembo disc
indoors. And in the past three brakes, although presumably one has a man to take
months, he has cursed just care of such things. They have scooter tyres wrapped
once, and even then it came around 10-inch wheels the same size as those ftted
out as shoot. Today, hes dressed in a moleskin jacket to the original Mini, believe it or not. Each has a
that previously belonged to his father, and if there three-speed sequential transmission connected to
happened to be a lady nearby he would hold open the the rear wheels via a chain, also from a scooter. Made
door and defnitely not goose her on the way through. by Vietnam-based, British-run Harrington Specialist
He is also an arse. Because while I came here Vehicles, theyre sold in the UK by Pocket Classics. The
today for a spot of cultured motoring in a couple price? About 13,000 for the Cobra; 15,000 for the XK.
of classics, he has found a slippery corner on which Unfortunately, neither is road-legal, so here we are
to perform lavish skids. Clearly, a chap should not on the TopGear track, where terrible wind can play
indulge in such disgraceful behaviour at the wheel havoc with ones cravat. I know this, because mine
of a pensionable Jaguar. The XK120 was, after all, has escaped from my collar and is fapping in my
the fastest road car of its day and should be treated face. The solution is to hunch over and rest the brim
with the dignity its years deserve. It should not, of my hat on the top of the windscreen, which might
under any circumstances, be handled so roughly. look silly, but its the frst time in history a fat cap
I hope his fat cap slips of his low-friction head. has been used as active aero, very much like the drag
As a matter of fact, it does. This is because his head reduction system in an F1 car. Not so stupid now, eh?
is positioned some distance above the windscreen and You sit centrally with your legs astride a
exposed to a stif breeze, so about halfway down the transmission tunnel, with a foot on each pedal,
runway at Dunsfold it fies of the cap, not his head although the pedals are actually metal bars like
and swirls around like the last leaf blown from youd fnd in a go-kart (essentially, they are go-karts,
a bare branch. Serves him right. Because although with added posh bits). No need for a clutch. The seat
his old Jag might not actually be a Jag, nor especially is padded in rumpled leather, the wooden steering
old, it deserves the same respect. wheel feels cold in your hands, and the gearstick
If youre blessed with the gift of perspective,
youll have noticed its also a touch on the small Spot of cravat
side, as is my AC Cobra with white stripes. And adjustment, and
thats because both are miniature versions of their were of. Tally-ho!
big brothers cute little pygmy cars with shrunken
bodywork and snug cabins with just enough room
for an adult human. And, instead of their traditional
About halfway down

the runway at Dunsfold,
his flat cap flies off...

Enormously
optimistic speedo
is standard spec
P L A N E T / P O C K E T C L A S S I C S AT D U N S F O L D
pokes up between your legs and dresses slightly to

the left, if you see what I mean. You nudge forward
to change up and back to change down.
Im in the XK now, which makes a surprising
racket when you turn the key and fre up the engine
something between a large lawnmower and a
small propeller-driven plane. First gear engages
with a clunk, and were underway. It takes a while
to get up a head of steam, but on the limiter, in third,
its an absolute weapon. Honestly. You can reach
In their heads, the out and touch the tarmac, like skimming the water
theme from 633 over the side of a boat, although I dont recommend
Squadron was playing
this because, at the 40mph top whack, its like putting
your fngertips on a belt sander.
In fact, from the drivers seat, you can reach
both ends of the car, making it one of the few vehicles
you could hand-wash without getting out. Which
is good, because I dont want to get out. Now look,
I dont want to come over all road-testy, because that
would be absurd, but you should know theres plenty
of grip and when you spin you wont fall out, despite
an alarming lack of seatbelts. The steering is quite
sharp. And you can go through almost every corner
fat-out, which feels mildly heroic. Although not as
heroic as dabbling in walking-pace oversteer should
Wheels are tiny, but are
the same size as those you lift of the throttle in the middle of a bend.
on the original Mini While were giving them a rather ungentlemanly
seeing to, it seems only right to see how fast they go
around our track. You might think theyd be the

slowest vehicles ever to attempt such a thing, but
remember, Hammond once went around in a pedal-
powered Porsche in 18 minutes, 37 seconds. So,
unless they run out of fuel (with 1.5-litre tanks, its
not entirely out of the question), they should be safe.
Over to Ollie and the Cobra, which for some reason
feels more sprightly than the XK. After the customary
three/two/one/go, he adopts his go-faster hunch and
toddles of at some speed.
He adopts his customary

hunch and toddles off at Dashed Americans
some speed in the Cobra

getting in my
way. Toot Toot
By the time he approaches the Hammerhead,

the Pagani Huayra currently the fastest car around
the TopGear track would have already fnished its
lap. In fact, its driver would have parked and had a
cup of tea before the tiny Cobra completes its circuit
in three minutes and seven seconds. Much faster
than Hammonds pedal-car lap, but still the slowest
petrol-powered lap time by some margin. Of course,
this doesnt matter at all, because its not road-legal,
Enormous man or tiny
so the time goes in the bin. car? Well guessed its
Besides, were getting carried away. We came an enormous man
here for a gentle drive in the English countryside,
not for squealing tyres and lashings of smoke. As
a wiser man than me once said, A gentleman would
be ashamed should his deeds not match his words.
(Confucius, TopGears preferred Chinese philosopher,
is criminally under-quoted in car magazines. Not any
more.) And you must admit, the man had a point.
So, Mr Marriage, please do behave yourself and stop
those silly skids. Weve a reputation to uphold.
Now wheres my hat?
The Pagani Huayra is the

HARES & TORTOISES
SLOW & STEADY WINS THE RACE, THEY SAY. WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH
FOLLOW-THROUGH
fastest road-legal thing
to have gone around our
track. If it were in a one-
lap race against some of
the more leisurely vehicles
to set a time, this is how
things would look as the
Pagani crossed the line...
HAMMERHEAD
D
O IRE
F T CT
LENGTH OF TG TRACK: 1.75 MILES RA IO
VE N
L
START/
FINISH
PAGANI TIME: MORGAN 3 WHEELER: CHICAGO GAMBON
01:13.8 01:40.4,
86 mph average 62 mph average
TGS OLLIE MARRIAGE HAMMOND IN A PEDAL-

BRUTUS: POCKET CLASSIC: ON A RACING BICYCLE: POWERED PORSCHE:
02:02.5 03:07.0 04:57.0 18:37.0
51 mph average 33 mph average 21 mph average 5.6 mph average
QUOTES
OF THE
MONTH
PLANET / TOPGEAR TWIN TEST
We dont just make

Airbus A400m Atlas cars any more. Were
vs Volvo FH16-750 a mobility company
Ford CEO MARK FIELDS hints
A BRAND-NEW PAIR OF JUMBO FREIGHTERS. BUT WHICH ONE DO at an upcoming range of
YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE? TIME FOR SOME RIGOROUS APPRAISAL powered wheelchairs
The Hercules replacement, Atlas is The most powerful production truck
basically a lorry for the skies, capable
WHAT IS in the world, seen here in its beefest,
of carrying men, tanks and helicopters IT ? 750bhp specifcation
Based at Brize Norton, Atlas will assist the Its the frst roadgoing lorry to have
Joint Rapid Reaction Force by delivering
TELL ME independent front suspension. Theres
supplies on the ground or by airdrop MORE even an optional twin-clutch box
4 x EPI TP400-D6 turboprops ENGINE 16-litre, straight-six diesel
11,000bhp approx (per engine) POWER 750bhp / 2,616lb ft
410kts (472mph) MAX SPEED 55mph (limited)
Steel discs plus gearbox-mounted

It was seven inches long
12 multi-disc carbon units BRAKES engine brake A DOCTOR describes the piece
of a cars indicator lodged in a
Each landing gear unit has Struts and double-wishbones with air patients arm since 1963
three independent struts
SUSPENSION bellows (front axle only)
Short landings on rugged airstrips FOR Theres a 19-inch fatscreen in the cab
Or else youre jumping out AGAINST Its unlikely to be showing Countryfle

PHOTOS: MANUFACTURER, RUSSAVIA, REX, GETTY, FAMEFLYNET
VERDIC
VERDICT T
Both can carry a big load, but only one fts around the back of Tesco.
For reasons of practicality, the truck edges it
STAR IN AN UNREASONABLY I challenge anyone to tell

PRICED CAR
This month: Steven Tyler
me I dont have the best job
Car: Dirico Speedster in the car industry
Verdict: Alright, technically its only half a car. Or a motorcycle,
as some would have it. But did you know the Aerosmith frontman
New Aston Martin boss
and sandal afcionado designed it himself?
ANDY PALMER clearly hasnt spent
a day in the TopGear office
Pat
Devereux
A VOICE OF REASON IN THE LAND OF THE FREE
PART 7: WHAT IS AMERICAS SUPERCAR?
DREAM
DRIVES
THE BEST ROADS IN THE
P L A N E T / O N LY I N A M E R I C A WORLD BROUGHT TO YOU
IN WORDS AND PICTURES
s the new Corvette Stingray Z06 So, with its huge bonnet, it might look like its going to
better than the Dodge SRT Viper? turn with the enthusiasm of an oil tanker, but with the
I Depends what you mean by better. We
havent driven them side by side, but I
wheels closer together and the engine weight behind the
front axle, it has a super-linear, mechanical, racer-like
have driven both on road and track, and feel. You see, hear and feel every bump, and theres only
they are equally crazy. But theyre also quite diferent. the lightest of safety nets to catch you if you get it wrong.
How so? And the Z06?
Compared with the hand-built Viper, the Z06 is a The polar opposite. It boasts more tech than a fghter jet,
relatively mass-produced car. The production line at at the centre of which is a black box of tricks called
GMs Corvette factory in Bowling Green, KY, currently Performance Traction Management, which adjusts the Lincoln
pumps out seven Z06s per hour. The Vipers Conner cars attitude based on an algorithm that must look like
Avenue production facility in Detroit produces only the one for the Mars landing. This measures everything
between seven and 10 cars a day. from the steering angle to the temperature of the tyres, Conway
OK, so the Viper is a rarer beast, but what about then spits out orders to the engine and chassis, telling
the mechanical diferences?
In the Vettes corner, you have a 650bhp/650lb ft scharged
6.2-litre V8. In the Vipers, there is a naturally aspirated Ive driven the Vette and the
Viper theyre both crazy KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY
8.4-litre V10 pushing out 645bhp/600lb ft. So it looks like
the Z06 has the edge, until you see that the Viper weighs
up to 90kg less than the Vette. So you can call that a tie. NEW HAMPSHIRE, USA
What about the performance numbers?
The Z06, when ftted with the Z07 package full aero, WHICH BIT?
extra sticky tyres, carbon-ceramic brakes gets to them what each of them should be doing. Leave the The 34 miles linking
60mph in three seconds, clears the quarter-mile in 11 and system on and you can feel like a driving God. Back it of Lincoln and Conway
runs to a top speed of just under 200mph. The Viper TA and the car turns into a proper, sweaty-palmed handful.
has numbers which are almost exactly the same. The Z06 sounds easier to drive fast... I STILL CANT FIND IT
The handling has to be diferent though, right? It is, if you dont know what youre doing and you leave Bash this into your satnav:
This is probably the defning diference of the two cars. all the chassis systems on. Then theres the other thing
44.009506, -71.269538
Even though they both generate over 1g in cornering and you can get the big Vette with an 8spd auto or a manual.
a similar amount when braking, the way the two cars The Viper is manual only. So the Vette is easier on the
WHEN SHOULD
I GO?
derive their handling is as diferent as their engines. beginner, but the Viper better rewards inner Stigness. Once the leaves turn. Late
Explain, please What, the Viper is faster? September, mid-week
Even though the Viper is only a couple of inches shorter Ultimately, on the limit and in the right hands, around a
than the Z06, its wheelbase is eight inches shorter overall. second or more per lap (of Laguna Seca). But if you dont WHAT CAR
know what youre doing, the Z06 will get you going faster SHOULD I TAKE?
than ever before. Think of the Viper as a racer for the Defnitely something with
a pony on the front
road and the Z06 as a road car you can use on the track.
Which one is the best road car?
The Z06 is the more comfortable and quieter of the two.
All the controls are lighter, it does a few more mpg and it
has that auto option. But the new Vipers cabin, complete
PHOTO: GETTY, MANUFACTURER
with Ferrari-grade leather and all-new instruments is

now a much better place to sit in than ever before.
I APPEAR TO
So which one can call itself Americas Supercar?
HAVE CRASHED
In sheer numbers, the Z06 wins. In purist terms, its Rub some sticks together
the Viper. But then Ford is building the new GT, to keep warm
whose grandaddy predates both of them, so expect
a major title fght soon.

PA RT 4 5 : ROV E R S D 1 P O L I C E C A R
Hammond
DRIVES THE
ICONS POLICE, CAMERA, ACTION!
K, so Im a pretty small policemen, but they barely raise an eyebrow seats. It does have the legendary 3.5-litre
guy. We know this, its been when I leap about like a demented six-year-
TG TOP FACT Rover V8, though, and I fre it up and stamp
O mentioned on telly. But
even at just 57, I wouldnt
old before getting in it and shrieking with
fever-pitch excitement at the drab cloth
Supposedly, the
on the enormous accelerator. And then
theres a lot of lurching and rolling around.
Metropolitan Police
expect to be able to do this. seats and barely stuck-on extra switches loved the SD1 so The engine makes just 153bhp and 198lb ft
I am in a toy car. Actually sitting in it, tearing and buttons that police use demanded. much that when of torque, which is communicated down to
around our track. The toy in question is a Theyre not even too surprised when British Leyland the waiting tarmac through a lazy, three-
Rover SD1 police car, and Im looking out Justin the photographer joins in, just barely halted production in speed automatic. The car weighs a massive
1986, it stockpiled
for some giant tree roots like the ones at remembering his camera before jabbing several of them 1,440kg. This was emphatically not a fzzy
the side of my childhood playground to at buttons, slamming the door, winding little frecracker. But its a police car, a
see if I really can hoon about on them like the window down and screaming at me: proper, real police car like the ones I saw
we used to do with our toy cars back then. Get after em Rich theyre getting screaming about on the streets and on telly
And those cars were just like this one. Except away. The policemen smile at this. They when I was a kid. Its amazing, and Justin is
its got working lights and everything. understand. Right, then, so they dont mind barely conscious with excitement now.
The car was provided by the police us having a laugh with their perfectly The claimed 060 is 8.4 seconds. Im
heritage feet at Hendon, and its preserved piece of history. OK. On it. not sure thats actually achievable, but then
immediately apparent that the guys who The police never use top-spec models, it might be the excitement of the moment
brought it, get it. Theyre actual, proper so this isnt the Vitesse, hence the cloth thats sped up my brain and slowed down the
SPECS 3528cc 8cyl, RWD, 153bhp, 198lb ft n/a mpg approx, n/a g/km CO2 060mph in 8.4secs, 123mph 1440kg n/a

PLANET / RICHARD HAMMOND DRIVES THE ICONS
NOW GO
BUY ONE
WE TRAWL THE CLASSIFIEDS
SO YOU CAN SPEND YOUR
MONEY MOST UNWISELY
The original jam
sandwich in full-on,
tyre-shredding mode
LOW-
MILER
1980 3500 NADA 6,950

A US import, with just 43k
miles and a manual box.
Ignore the US-spec lights,
bumpers and oatmeal velour.
Velour seats help to Youre gonna turn it into a
stop you sliding around cop car anyway. Right?
in fast corners
countryclassics-cars.com
EARLY
CAR
1977 2600 3,950

OK, its not the V8 one.
But its 3k less than the US
car, and has, according to its
seller, recently undergone an
extensive restoration. Looks
tidy, and probably is.
perceived time. Either way, we wheeze up must have been like, pushing this thing hard carandclassic.co.uk
past the 60 benchmark and on towards, but
not all the way to, the top speed of 123mph.
IN DETAIL through crowded streets, whether to move
a liver towards a waiting abdominal cavity or
Corners arrive in front of us; we lean chase down some villains. And I just cant.
into them until the door mirrors scuf the How did they ever catch anyone? Apart
tarmac. I feel drunk at the wheel of a police from anything else, how did they ever stop
car. Exciting. You know that bit in The Blues themselves cracking up and passing out
Brothers where he says, Its got cop shocks, a with laughter? The old Rover is a matronly CHEAP
cop motor and everything? Well, this didnt thing, a big old aunty. It doesnt want to ALT
feel like that. The rolling through corners was dance, not at any price. But its a hell of a
astonishing, making driving a genuine, three-
dimensional experience. But the guys used to
lot of fun trying to make it.
Justin hits the button to turn the sirens
1986 2600 Vanden Plas 850
hustle these things, and properly. on, starts jabbering like a monkey on a sugar A runner, with some history
This actual car was used in the famous rush about Blues and Twos, and we tear (possibly a dark one), but no
Liver Run. Not heard of it? OK, well it wasnt around the track wondering if the tyres will tax or MOT. The seller will
a Seventies dinner-related emergency. In give up before the policemen ask for their throw in a load of bits to get
1987, a liver needed transporting from Switch on the Blues museum piece back. What a toy. Want one. it going again, however.
Stansted Airport to the Cromwell Hospital and Twos this is Could be a decent project...
in London for a transplant, and the police an emergency... NEXT MONTH carandclassic.co.uk
helicopter was broken or grounded. So they DODGE VIPER
drove it. In this car. I try to imagine what it

Seasick
Steve
FORMER HOBO,
SERIOUS TRACTOR
ENTHUSIAST
AND ACCIDENTAL
INVENTOR OF THE
SELF-DRIVING CAR
AGE: 70(ish) OCCUPATION: MUSICIAN
NATIONALITY: AMERICAN
PLANET / DRIVING TEST
What was your frst car?

I learned how to drive on a ranch in an old
army Jeep from the war. I was out in a pasture
and this old cowboy guy was helping me, and
I somehow caught the bumper on a fence and
knocked the whole thing down. The car was
still going. I froze. He was watching me going,
What the f**k are you doing?
Any other incidents?

Not too many, Ive been way lucky especially
when I wasnt all there in the brain. I remember
driving from Washington state to Cali in the
Sixties and kinda woke up after a coupla hours
thinking, Who been drivin?
And your worst car?

I never had money, so Id buy a car for nearly on the internet, and just by chance she picked Whats the fastest youve driven?
SEASICKS
nothing, drive it, and when it stopped Id leave all the best s**t When I was at CarFest, I went up the track in
CARS
it and go fnd another one for 50 bucks. Chris Evanss Ferrari, the new one. It was like
I must have had at least a hundred cars. But a Peugeot is still a fairly modest sitting in a rocket ship. Then they gave me a
purchase Testarossa, but I had these boots on, and the
What do you drive now? Not in Norway its not. We live there, and footwell was so small I had one boot on all
A John Deere tractor, an old beat-up 55 they have this punitive tax on imports. So FIRST CAR three pedals, like this [stomps foor].
WILLYS JEEP
Cadillac Coupe de Ville and a 51 Chevy the 308 is like 35k, and all of a sudden
Station Wagon its running good except it aint that cheap. Do you still make instruments from cars?
I blew the head gasket. Just remembered. [Points to blue guitar] See that? Its a 73
But Im going to America soon, so Im gonna Whats your dream car? DREAM CAR Ford Zodiac air cleaner. The flters still in
get me a head gasket. Ive been thinking about buying a muscle 1969 DODGE there, it stinks. I like these things because
car, like a late Sixties Charger, or maybe a CHARGER they dont work very well when you go
Dont you have a modern car? Barracuda. Ten years ago, you could buy play, theres no getting comfortable. You
My wife just bought a Peugeot 308. She one for at least half the money, but lots think, Is it gonna last until the end of the
never really had a car, apart from old beaters of people in America are realising the song? Theres a bit of danger. My hubcap
we never had money. But now we can buy investment thing, and just when I get guitar could just spring apart.
BEST CAR
one, so she got the best wheels you can get, some money they increase in value to 1941 JOHN DEERE
and special racing seats. Damn. She did it all like 30 to 40 grand! MODEL B Sonic Soul Surfer is released on 23 March

M A G A Z I N E
THE WORLDS GREATEST CARS SHOT BY THE

WORLDS GREATEST PHOTOGRAPHERS
HEROES
AND ZEROS
ON THE PODIUM
NORMAN
DEWIS
Legendary Jag
test driver gets
OBE. All rise!
SCHUEY
JUNIOR
Reportedly aces
frst secret test
in a single-seater
RICH
WEISSENSEL
Builds DeLorean
HISTORYS truck, cabrio, limo
FINEST STORIE and hovercraft
S,
PLANET TG / #011 RESCUED FROM
THE DUSTY
From
CORNERS OF I N T H E P O I N TS
OUR VAULT
LIL WAYNE
Buys 16-year-
old daughter her
the TG
frst car. A Ferrari
elieve it or not, the frst 599 GTO
useful electric motors
B actually predate the HYUNDAI
archive
frst useful four-stroke DRIVER
combustion engines by Smells burning.
about 20 years or so. This meant they had Finds squirrel nest
a slight head start when by the turn of under bonnet
the twentieth century people started
THE BOSS OF THE WORLDS swapping horses and carts for newfangled ALFA ROMEO
MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY automobiles, or at least car-like contraptions
like the one you see above.
Confrms new
MX-5-based
NEEDS A RIDE TO MATCH... Its called the Victoria Phaeton, and roadster will wear
WORDS: DAN READ IMAGE: HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY it was made by the Columbia Electric Abarth badge
Company in Hartford, Connecticut. So
when Theodore Roosevelt visited town to give a speech in 1902, it seemed like good PR I N T H E P I TS
1. WHO to ferry him around in the local invention. While it wasnt the frst time a president had
Theodore Roosevelt LONDON
ridden in a car (Roosevelts predecessor, William McKinley, rode in a Stanley Steamer
MAYOR
2. WHAT in 1899), it was the frst time one had done so in public. And although old Teddy was
Eco-group slams
The frst presidential a fairly popular chap, this meant hed need some protection from potential assassins. Boris for driving
motorcade Unfortunately for the local police, who were used to trotting alongside a horse- 305g/km Previa
3. WHERE drawn carriage, the cars 13mph top speed was more than they could manage on foot.
The solution was to give them bicycles, which by handy coincidence were also made
Hartford, CT CHINESE
by Columbia. So almost by accident, the police outrider was born, as was the idea of
4. WHEN a motorcade and the competition to supply the commander-in-chief with his wheels.
WOMAN
22 August 1902 Stufs boyfriends
By the Twenties, the Big Three carmakers had fgured out how to make combustion
918 Spyder. Mixes
engines proftable, and they quickly took over from electric propulsion, which wouldnt up gas and brake
make another signifcant appearance in the car world until the Eighties. But the
motorcade lived on, and would later be at the centre of one of the most shocking
moments in American political history, when JFK rode his open-top Lincoln through GERMAN
Dallas in November 1963. THIEVES
PHOTOS: REX
Steal nine Range

Rovers from set
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www.lapland-ice-driving.com +44 (0) 1473 228 867
K I N G O F T H E ROA D
Before becoming a reasonably famous pop star, Elvis Presley was a truck driver for the Crown
Electric Company in Memphis. In fact, he was once advised by the musician Eddie Bond to keep
on trucking, as he was never going to make it as a singer.
SIN BIN
For centuries, residents of the German villages

Glees and Wassenach have argued over which
is better. In 2010 they decided to settle the
feud once and for all, by holding a downhill
PLANET / PUB AMMO
wheelie bin race. Unfortunately the

rivalry only worsened when some
competitors were accused
5
of illegally modifying their
council-issue bins by ftting
skateboard wheels.
A BANDOLIER
9
OF TITBITS TO
KEEP FELLOW
DRINKERS
HEADS DOWN.
NOBODY
MOVE
D I G G E R F O R V I C TO RY
With an ofcially recorded top speed of

72.58mph, the JCB GT recently became the
fastest digger (or as they would put it, backhoe
loader) in the world. Originally designed to pop
wheelies at stunt shows, it has a big-block Chevy
V8 with 1,000bhp, eight 20-inch exhaust pipes
and an aerodynamic bucket on the front.

MILE
TOPGEAR TOP TIP
240m How to
change
.99
your oil*
B LO O D H O U N D S SC BAD SIGNS *without making a huge mess
S TAT O F T H E M O N T H
Ofcials in Colorado have replaced
Bloodhound has a turning circle of 240 Interstate 70s MILE 420 sign with
metres. At full steering lock, and given one reading MILE 419.99. This is Proper car workshops have lifts so you can work
the mass of the car and available grip, because the old one was repeatedly 1 under the car standing up. They also have used oil
Andy Green must turn around at a stolen by marijuana enthusiasts, who collection drums, with big funnels on the top, to make
speed below 49.5mph in order to avoid associate its number with their smoking things easier. But you dont have any of these things.
understeer. Hell then refuel before his habits. In another part of the state, You will have to crawl underneath.
second high-speed run through the ofcials have swapped the MILE 69
measured mile.* sign on the Cameron Pass for one Drive the car around a bit, to warm it up. This makes
reading MILE 68.5. 2 the oil hot, so it fows out more easily. It also means it
will burn your hands.
Park on level ground, or over your inspection pit.

3 You probably dont have one of those, either.
Look up your cars sump capacity, and fnd a bucket

4 or plastic bowl at least that big, not smaller. Crawl
under the car, and place your receptacle under the
*A typical black cab has a turning circle sump. Crawl back out because you took the wrong
of 7.62 metres. This is usually sized spanner with you. Find correct spanner, and
attempted at full throttle crawl back underneath the car.
Clean around the sump plug, and undo it with the

5 spanner, pressing upwards as you turn the plug. If
youre lucky, this will stop the oil fowing until the
plug is fully out. If youre unlucky, it will dribble
down the spanner and burn you.
When the plug comes out, you will try to catch it. But
6 its hot, so youll drop it in the bucket of oil. A speck
of oil will hit you in the face, and your startled head
will rise suddenly and strike the underside of the car.
Take the used oil to your local recycling centre. As

7 you pour it away, realise that youve also thrown the
sump plug away as well.
TA K E T H E
FA S T A N D LO N G ROA D Buy new plug and washer. Reft, and refll with oil.
F H R E R- O U S 8 If youve changed the flter as well and you should
According to Ordnance Survey, you will need to top up the oil after a short drive
Despite overseeing the construction Britains roads have a combined around, as the flter will have flled up.
of autobahns and ordering Ferdinand length of 215,490 miles. If you
Porsche to build the Volkswagen
Beetle, Adolf Hitler never actually
were to group them all together in
one landmass, they would cover an
9 In future, take your car to a garage.
had a driving licence. But this didnt area bigger than Lancashire. If you
stop him from receiving a speeding were to drive non-stop at 40mph,
ticket in 1931, although he claimed it would take you 224.5 days to HAS JAMES
his lookalike chaufeur was at the cover them all. This would be EARNED A
wheel and that hed instructed him an easier task if it werent for the PINT FOR
to drive as fast as possible. 18,994 roundabouts along the way. THIS TOP TIP?
M A G A Z I N E
Available in multiple
interactive digital editions
Also available in print on

Kindle & Android
Uncle
Ask
TopGear
OUR MYSTERIOUS AGONY UNCLE TRIES TO SOLVE
YOUR DILEMMAS. SORRY IF HE GETS A BIT GRUMPY
PLANET / ASK UNCLE TOPGEAR
Dear Uncle TG
My dad told me that the easiest way
to spot a broken head gasket is to
look for mayonnaise in the oil fller
cap. Is he right? Is it a bad thing?
Jed, by email
Your father is indeed correct. A failing
head gasket can lead to mayonnaise
under the oil fller cap. Im sure your
father would agree this is a very bad
thing. Unless your father is Belgian,
in which case he would immediately
purchase some chips and declare the
entire situation delicious.
Dear Uncle TG
Im approaching my 50th birthday Cool it: standard
and I have a sudden hankering for winter procedure is
a Porsche 911. Is this a good idea to remove windows
or will I look daft?
Claire, by email the feature will only manifest itself with removing all the windows of your car
Well, as my sister David used to say: EMAIL age, and sometimes rain. Eventually I in October and keeping them somewhere
Whats the diference between a Porsche US YOUR suspect you will see your car display its safe until April or thereabouts. He swore
and a porcupine? The answer is, one is a
large spiny rodent indigenous to tropical QUERIES very advanced stop-stop feature in which
the engine cuts out and then refuses to
by this method, even after his arm fell of.
and temperate climes, the other is a well- FOR restart. Imagine how much fuel youll Dear Uncle TG
known German sports car. You can see
where her confusion arose from.
UNCLE be saving then.
Ive had my Vauxhall Astra diesel
TG... Dear Uncle TG for six years, and its been no trouble.
askuncletopgear
Dear Uncle TG @bbctopgear
Now the garage says it needs new
Everyone knows youre not supposed glowplugs. What are glowplugs?
magazine.com
My 12-year-old Citroen Picasso to pour boiling water onto frozen car Simon, by email
sometimes cuts out for no reason, windows except my neighbour, who Have you ever been to the town of
usually just as Im slowing down to brings out a kettle but then pours the Sidi Bou Said, nestling on the rugged
a stop. Any ideas what it could be? water onto the roof and lets it run coastal landscape of northern Tunisia, and
ILLUSTRATION: BILL M c CONKEY
Pete, Leek down the windows. He says thats OK watched the evening light twinkling of the
As you may be aware, Pete, many because hitting the roof frst cools the sea while the artists around the harbour
manufacturers now ft a fuel-saving device water enough so it wont crack the attempt to capture its velvet embrace as
known as stop-start in which the engine glass. Is he an idiot? it bathes the buildings in its majesty and
is automatically switched of at a halt and Dan, Birmingham gives the blue-painted windows and doors
reignited when required. Citroen is a very Almost certainly. The correct way to a brief, haunting, crystalline beauty that
Perfect with moules
far-sighted company and installed this and frites. Worry if your deal with wintry conditions is to follow simply takes the breath away? No? Good,
years ago on some of its cars, although car makes ketchup... the example of my Uncle Crespular by glowplugs are nothing like that.

2014 HARMAN International Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.
All your music
in all your rooms,
wirelessly.
High defnition sound, simple setup,
and wireless play with the touch of a button.
harmankardon.com/wireless Wireless HD Audio System

OUR CHOICE OF THIS MONTHS TOP-SPEC STUFF
U-BOAT WORX HP SPORT SUB

Dutch submariners U-Boat Worx
have been making personal subs
since 2005. But while most are
deep-sea pods for exploring bottom feeders,
this new ones a two-seater coupe with a pair
of electric motors and four powerful thrusters.
So while it might only go down to 100 metres,
even the fastest fish wont see which way you
went. Its small enough to tow behind a car,
and can be launched from the trailer like a jet
ski. Alternatively, it can be fitted to the tender
garage of any superyacht of 30 metres and
up, so if your name starts with sheikh and
youre bored of snorkelling, what are you
waiting for? 794,595; uboatworx.com
BIG ASS GARAGE LIGHT SCALEXTRIC ARC ONE TRAKDOT

As Kardashian fans will know, big asses have In the old days, slot cars were managed by Youve heard of trackers for your car, but how
had much airing recently. This ones less a carefully squeezed trigger. Now theres about one for your luggage? With unlimited
exciting, but definitely more useful, as its makers the ARC ONE, which links to a phone or tablet to global coverage, Trakdot will tell you where your
say itll flood your garage with lots of lovely LED give you F1-style race control as well as command bags are once youve landed. So if theyre not on
light. Way more than the flickering tube you have over pit stop windows, tyre wear and other bits of the carousel, youll know where to look. 79.99;
now. $399 (plus shipping); bigasslight.com strategy. 99.99; scalextric.com trakdotluggage.co.uk

WATC H E S
Complete
nutter?
This months weird watch
award goes to...
GRECO GENVE
In the watch world, a novelty strictly speaking
refers simply to a new model. Often though, the
word takes on its other, more comical meaning,
especially when the watch in question is shaped like a giant
nut. Its called the LTM-04T and its made by Swiss company
GRECO Genve, which, by its own admission, is a bit of a weirdo.
The press pack refers to mechanical truths, dance-house
pianos and magical powder. Clearly GRECOs designers
have sampled much of the latter. But love em or hate em, their
inventions certainly get your attention. Weve seen plenty of designs
inspired by cars, with carefully knurled bezels to resemble air vents
and grooved straps that look like tyre tread. Most manage to corral
these elements into a tasteful package, perhaps because they avoid
the LTM-04Ts rather more literal approach. The hands are
spanners, the entire case is shaped like a hexagonal wheelnut and
the strap could have been peeled straight from an off-road Dunlop.
Many people will think its garish. Some will tell you its very nice,
probably while getting too close and dribbling a bit. But thanks to a
limited production run, only 50 of them will ever own one. This is
probably for the best. From 4,950; greco-watches.com
BOMBERG BOLT-68 SCHOFIELD BEATER SEIKO RECRAFT SNKM97

Its big and showy and looks like an old The Beater, by British brand Schofield, Every now and then, Seiko comes up with
racing stopwatch. Like GRECO (above), is the antidote to shiny, showy watches. a watch you must immediately add to your
Bomberg is a newcomer to the old-fashioned Made by hand in small batches, each receives collection. This is one of them. Not only does it
Swiss watch world and a little bit wacky. But a slightly different finish and is supposed to take recall the best Seventies drivers watches, but its
somehow it works, if you choose one of the on a unique patina over time. Available in steel, properly mechanical and surprisingly affordable.
more restrained designs... bronze or blued titanium. $225 approx (officially its US-only, but
TBC; bomberg.ch From 2,820; schofieldwatchcompany.com theres always eBay)

Freederm.co.uk
FOR SPOT-PRONE SKIN

STYLE
Tally
ho!
How to dress for
a retro ride
1 Harris tweed herringbone blazer. Fun fact: Harris tweed can only be called Harris tweed if its woven by salty, weather-beaten locals in the Outer Hebrides.
Look for the little orb logo of the official authority. 225; johnlewis.com 2. Tattersall shirt. Another fun fact: Tattersall refers to the check or plaid pattern
woven into cloth garments, as sported by gentlemen (and horses) since 1766. 54.95; barbour.com 3 Abraham Moon collared waistcoat in gold. From
the new John Lewis & Co. range, which offers designer label-ish stuff without being too designer label-ish. 99.00; johnlewis.com 4 Leather Derby
shoes. Because any vintage look needs a bit of brown. 50; asos.com 5 Cord flat cap. TopGear doesnt usually approve of corrugated headwear. But
on this occasion 19.95; barbour.com 6 Red round paisley cravat. Unless youre some sort of ruffian, may we suggest you cover that chest wig with
one of these? 32.50; tmlewin.co.uk

Define yourself in three letters.
GTS. One name that declares the concentrated essence of Porsche.
Cars with increased power, enhanced specification and an amplified link to our motorsports roots.
Cars driven by individuals who always desire more.
The new 911 Carrera GTS models.

All that matters.
Find out more at porsche.co.uk/911CarreraGTS
Fuel consumption for the 911 Carrera GTS in l/100km (mpg): urban 13.7-12.2 (20.6-23.2), extra urban 7.5-6.7 (37.7-42.2), combined 9.5-8.7
(29.7-32.5); CO2 emissions: 202-223 g/km. The mpg and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results, are provided
for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.
LEE MACK HIT THE ROAD MACK
SLICK,
SHARP &
VERY FUNNY
GUT
BUSTINGLY
FUNNY
GLORIOUSLY
DAFT
OUT NOW ON DVD

EDITED BY OLLIE MARRIAGE
THE CARS THAT MATTER. DRIVEN, TESTED AND RATED THE TOPGEAR WAY
DRIVE OF THE MONTH
MERCEDES MAYBACH Denizens of Dragons Den rejoice! The badge is back TURN OVER
p74 p75 p77 p78

SMART FORFOUR MAZDA 2 PEUGEOT 308 GT AUDI A3 E-TRON
More people inside = fewer who have to look at it Small, light supermini from the MX-5 people The 308 sets out on a hot-hatch path Audis answer to the i3. Less creative, still good

M E RC E D E S M AY B AC H S 6 0 0
Lux capacitor
The Mercedes Maybach is here. Time to take a back seat BY JASON BARLOW
7 51.959 N, 123 That car was based on the late-Nineties
SNAPSHOT
52.221 W. These are the S-Class and leant heavily on its wildly
4 co-ordinates, according to
acoustic ecologist Gordon
indulgent luxury accoutrements to reel
in the oligarchs and moguls. It didnt really IN DETAIL
Hempton, of the quietest work. Merc pulled the plug on Maybach in
place on Earth. Its in the Olympic National 2012, after a rumoured 1bn investment
Park, not far from Seattle. Hempton wrote and 3,200 sales (100 in the UK), while
a book called One Square Inch of Silence: One BMWs Rolls-Royce experiment triumphed.
Mans Quest to Preserve Quiet, so he knows Rather than sulking, Merc has re-entered Entertaining? Youll
need silver-plated
what hes on about. We live in a heinously the fray, armed with a new strategy.
champagne futes
noisy world, and he reckons our peace of Not an especially bold one, at frst
mind is in peril as a result. glance the reborn Maybach is efectively a
PHOTOGRAPHY: MANUFACTURER
Merc agrees, and, among other things, reworked S-Class. On the other hand, given
claims that the Maybach S600 is the worlds that the current model a) is comfortably
quietest car. Sure, at 165,700, its a touch the best car in its segment and b) shifted
pricier than a return plane fare to Seattle in excess of 100,000 units worldwide in reliance on the Stuttgart mothership is
or a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, its frst full year on sale, thats a rational Door panel and hardly what youd call an impediment.
armrest are heated.
yet Stuttgarts second go at reviving its jumping-of point. Mercedes now sees Of course Rather than driver entertainment,
pre-war luxury nameplate is more thought Maybach as a distinct sub-brand, in the however, the focus here is on the rear
through than 2003s ersatz predecessor. same vein as AMG, whose technical compartment, and the elevation of the
passenger experience to as near an art form
Blingy chrome as a bunch of German engineers can get.
alloys favoured Maybach stands for space, exclusivity, and
in target markets world-leading refnement, product boss
Stands for Maybach
Martin Hlder tells TopGear. The S-Class
Manufaktur, not
Mickey Mouse is already at the forefront when it comes
to powertrain and performance, so weve
concentrated on optimising the NVH
levels and the customer experience.
Further Maybach adventures are in the
pipeline, with a new super-sybaritic SUV
the likeliest next step. It was difcult to
remain state of the art on the previous

2
5
1
4
LIFE INSIDE
1
Thats one highly specced door.
Maybach, given the very limited volumes Tweeter spirals out for extra
that market sector requires, Hlder says. audio fdelity
The current S-Class platform which
2
combines aluminium and high-tensile steel C-pillar triangular window
and has exemplary rigidity sidesteps that throws a little light onto the
lucky occupant
problem. Although its 207mm longer
3
overall (all in the wheelbase), the rear Seat reclines to an almost airline-
doors are actually shorter than those of spec 43.5. Seatbelt contains its
the LWB S-Class. The C-pillar takes up own airbag, as does seat cushion
4
the aesthetic slack, and the car manages Rear centre console has four
to avoid looking bloated or clumsy. There Theres a V12 cupholders: heated, cooled and
are subtle tweaks to the radiator, chrome bi-turbo. Youll
hardly hear it... two for the champagne futes
5
accents on the B-pillar, and double trim
in the air intakes and on the bumpers, Rear seats contain 24 motors,
can do hot stone massage and
with chromed tailpipes and double louvres The seat behind the front passenger
all sorts of osteopathy
on the rear bumper. The polished 20in
alloys on the test car are very LA, but
THE RIVAL reclines to a near-airline fat-bed 43.5,
allowing you to stretch out, enjoy more
even dialled up to the max it stays frmly space than the old Maybach 57 ofered
on the right side of obnoxious. and gaze through the Magic Sky Control silversmith Robbe & Berking live in their
Underpinned by a pathological panoramic roof translucent or dark at own dedicated armrest. The cupholders
attention to detail, the Mercedes-Maybach the touch of a button marvelling at your glow blue when theyre cooling your Dom
bridges the gap between a refreshingly old- exceedingly good fortune. The backrest is Perignon, red when theyre keeping your
ROLLS-ROYCE
fashioned concept of luxury and 2015s PHANTOM behind the C-pillar for maximum privacy, artisan cofee hot. The Burmester 3D audio
near-frenzied obsession with connectivity. and unique rubber seals and air ducting system has 24 speakers and a colossal
Bigger, grander,
At this oxygen-thin level, the term options but also much around the parcel shelf minimise noise. 1540W total output, and spiral tweeters
sounds positively proletarian, but an more expensive. Mercedes has markedly improved the in the rear doors that rotate out. It also
additional 7,200 is needed to secure the Should such a thing interior quality across its entire range of features an integrated voice amplifcation
First Class Cabin. This splits the rear really matter late, and with unique suppliers responsible system so that the driver doesnt have to
compartment into two stupidly comfy for the wood and leather, the Maybach shout or crane his neck when hes talking
individual seats, each of which features 24 eclipses even the craftsmanship and to the boss. Phone calls are relayed in
separate motors whose gyrations mimic marquetry of a Bentley. Silver-plated HD voice, operating in a frequency
those of a particularly adroit osteopath. champagne futes by renowned German range double the norm.

Merc expects most
Maybachs to go to
China and the ME
Mercedes is now so technologically in in-car connectivity. Youd need a PhD

omnipotent it can even manipulate the to suss out the S600 Maybach.
atmosphere in the cabin, using its ionising So relentless is the Maybachs softly
Air-Balance system. The Maybach gets an spoken assault on your senses that actually
agarwood scent prepared by the companys driving it could seem like an afterthought.
in-house perfumier yes, you read that That would be a grave error. Only the S600
right whose oud essence is apparently will be available in the UK. Its powered by
more valuable than gold. (The tree, not the Mercs 6.0-litre, 523bhp, bi-turbo V12, so
perfumier.) Other scents are available. 62mph is dusted in 5.0 seconds dead, and
This fnery is complemented by the theres enough mid-range torque to uproot
usual raft of safety features, which run to entire forests. Up front, the engine remains
a seatbelt airbag, and another secreted a mostly theoretical presence, and the 7spd The chaufeurs
inside the seat cushion: should your good transmission is an equally unobtrusive ofce is very
fnely appointed
fortune suddenly evaporate in the event partner. All sorts of clever sound insulation
of a high-speed impact while youre at tricks have been used to suppress NVH,
maximum recline, this infates to stop you and its only if you bury your right foot that S600 Maybach runs it close. Mercs Magic
from submarining under the seatbelt. you think, Yep, 12 cylinders. It weighs Body Control, which uses a roof-mounted
As ever, the only weak link is the 2,335kg, but Mercs re-engineering eforts stereo camera to scan the road ahead and
wobbly human charged with getting to are such that it feels generally un-bargelike. adjust the suspension in advance of surface
grips with the technology. It surely cant The Rolls Phantom is still the king of bobbles, smothers bumps beautifully.
be long before a university ofers a course making the real world disappear, but the Merc expects most Maybachs to go to
VERDICT China, with the Middle East, Russia and
Merc wants to the US close behind. As statement cars go,
rain on Bentley/
Rollss parade Surprisingly its difcult to see what else you could
tasteful new expect from a super-limo, and though the
super-limo Maybach S600 could never fy under the
manages to be radar exactly, nor does it have the alarm
more than just
bells clanging at the taste polices HQ.
a stretched
S-Class. Post 2008, thats probably no bad thing.
Incredibly, at 165,700 its also almost good
9/10 value. One of these and an AMG S63 Coupe

for the same money as a Phantom? Its one
of those pointlessly entertaining dilemmas.
SPECS 5980cc bi-turbo V12, 523bhp, 612lb ft 24.1mpg, 274g/km CO2 062mph in 5.0secs, 155mph 2,335kg 165,700
S M A RT F O R F O U R
Back four more

The Smart ForFour v2 has arrived. Lets hope its better... BY SAM PHILLIP
s your disappointment
Spidey-sense tingling? VERDICT
THE RIVAL
I Last time Smart went
platform-sharing in Ify styling
an efort to create a and pricey,
proper fve-seat supermini, the resulting but a very
Mitsubishi-derived ForFour was a bit accomplished
city car
limp. Eight years later, Smarts had another
nonetheless.
go, hopping into bed with Renault this time
7/10
to create this new, Twingo-derived ForFour RENAULT Plenty of room up front.
(which, lets not forget, also donates its TWINGO Even for 2.2-metre-
Same underneath, long bookcases...
underpinnings to the smaller ForTwo).
sexier on top. And
The ForFours platform which slings
cheaper, too
the engine down on the back axle, driving the vim you might expect from such a asserts, for a 2.2-metre fat-pack bookcase.
the rear wheels is identical to its French promising rear-engined, rear-drive set-up. Waddyamean, you dont commute every
cousins, as are its three-pot engines: a Smart has worked hard to engineer morning with a bookcase beside you?
71bhp, naturally aspirated 1.0-litre and a out any sideways surprises from the Bootspace is limited by the presence of
turbocharged 90bhp 898cc unit. A fve- ForFours reactions: tip into a corner too an engine perched on the rear axle, but this
speed manual is standard, with a six-speed fast and you get plenty of understeer, remains a clever piece of packaging. You
double-clutch transmission to follow. followed by if you keep jamming the have to applaud Smart (and Renault) for
We tested the more powerful petrol throttle a heavy smothering under the thinking outside the city car box dont
mated to the manual gearbox, and guess Smarts electronic safety blanket (and no, forget VWs Up and co were initially all
what? It drives just like the Twingo. In other you cant switch the ESP of). destined to be rear-engined. The Germans
words, smartly enough but lacking some of Of course, to most potential ForFour bottled it after the accountants whined
Rear-engined buyers, this wont matter a jot. Theyll care too many bespoke parts would nuke
ForFour a bit more about the excellent turning circle the precious proft margin.
disappointing and refnement, which is excellent for Speaking of dosh, the ForFour certainly
a car of this size and attitude. looks good value against Smarts own
Smart has gone big on making the smaller ofering, costing just 495 more
ForFours modest interior as functional as than an equivalent ForTwo. However, the
possible: the rear seats fold fat, while their ForFour is dearer than the closely related
squabs can be fipped forward, leaving Twingo: prices start at 11,620, two grand
space for a 50-inch fatscreen telly (so were above the basest Renault. You get more kit
told). The front passenger seat hinges right on your Smart as standard, but thats a hefty
forward, too, providing loadspace, Smart chunk of cash at this end of the market.
SPECS 898cc 3cyl, 90bhp, 100lb ft 65.7mpg, 99g/km CO2 062mph in 11.2secs, 103mph 995kg 12,910
M A Z DA 2
Skoda Fabia
BY TOM HARRISON
ith a thrummy little four-
Twos up
Supermini gets refreshing refreshment BY STEPHEN DOBIE
W cylinder petrol engine, the
new Fabia is a thoroughly
pleasant thing. But this one doesnt ou can tell a lot about a
Some hard plastics
Y
have a little petrol. It has a little cars talents by how its would make Audi
diesel. Still a three cylinder, the replaced. Something engineers weep
1.4-litre delivers 89bhp and 83.1mpg so-so gets overhauled; a
(theres a version on the way that car thats nailed its sweet
Skoda claims will hit 88.3mpg, too). spot evolves so subtly, the untrained eye
So did we see 83.1mpg? No. mightnt notice. Think 911 or Golf.
We managed just under 60mpg after Our praise for the outgoing 2 feels fully
70 miles of mixed driving, which, vindicated by how familiar this all-new car
giventhevagaries of the fuel-test looks and feels, then. The styling is bolder
cycle,isnt bad. Though quiet and and more intricate, but the overall shape
tractable in and out of town, its the is all-but identical, and while its a smidge
getting up to speed that undoes the longer than before, its all in the wheelbase. with 74, 89 and 113bhp, weve tried the
diesel. The noise amplifes, and once Its still not the biggest supermini on VERDICT middle one. Its probably the one to have,
the power tails of at 3,500rpm, the sale, and anyone approaching six foot will too, given that the highest power output
Drives as well
rev needle moves at a speed best feel cramped in the back. But it should as it looks costs at least 16k (like the 104bhp diesel).
described as archeological. The long cover most bases well, and the interior very nicely. Can It revs cleanly and with linearity, but
gearing doesnt help. Fifth is best is more stylised than before. Perceived we have rev it you must, with the fexible mid-range
reserved for motorways, and hills quality isnt high, but ergonomically its a faster one of those rival turbos conspicuous by its
often demand a downshift. spot-on, and a big central speedo and next please? absence. Theres much to like, though, and
7/10
But so what? Its a diesel supermini intuitive new seven-inch touchscreen mated to a slick 5spd manual gearbox, its
and no less capable than any of its media system brighten things up nicely. a sweet drivetrain with instant responses
competitors. You soon learn to drive Where the old 2 won our hearts, in trafc. At a little over a tonne, the 2
around the engines weaknesses though, lay beyond such fripperies. It weighs less than most rivals, an immediate
and appreciate the Fabias strengths, was in its keen, lithe dynamics and its advantage should a fun stretch of road
including its solid handling and smart amusingly rev-happy engines. And it present itself. Reactions are quick, and
cabin. Its a quiet and comfortable thing appears little has changed. the chassis is imbued with a sense of
in which to sit at 70 for miles on end, The 2 gets a choice of petrol- and immediacy and vigour, assisted by a
and pretty good in town too. But well diesel-powered 1.5-litre Skyactiv engines, suspension set-up thats frm-edged but
take a petrol, please. the former staying n/a while the vast tautly composed over bumpy roads.
VERDICT: If you must have a diesel, fne. majority of its rivals go turbo. Available Less impressive is the steering, which
Otherwise, stick with the petrol. is inconsistent in weight, ultimately being
Claimed 62.8mpg overly light at speed rendering it next to
is great for a n/a
SPECS petrol engine useless for reading grip levels. But theyre
generally strong and body roll is minimal.
With added tech, efcient engines and a
1422cc, 3cyl, FWD, 89bhp, 170lb ft smarter interior, all without a seismic shift
83.1mpg, 88g/km CO2 from its efervescent character, the 2 is a
0-62mph in 11.1secs, 113mph fne exemplar for evolution over revolution.
1088kg
16,240 7/10 1496cc 4cyl, FWD, 89bhp, 109lb ft 62.8mpg, 105g/km CO2 062mph in 9.4secs, 114mph 1050kg 13,995
James Anderson
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TGS ONE
MINUTE EXPERT
Got 60 seconds spare? Read these
P E U G EOT 3 0 8 GT
NISSAN 370Z NISMO

Latest update for
the most hardcore
370Z includes more
fgure-hugging seats,
but also softened
3.7-litre n/a V6 is
the same. Pulls
strongly, but is
inefcient and none
too tuneful. Six-
GT stuffed
The fastest 308 yet. Good as far as it goes... BY OLLIE KEW
dampers and better speed manual good
sound-deadening. with rev-match
You what? software.
otent letter, i. Tack one
P
Its 37,575, It might feel onto phone, and you get
and thats far too dated alongside a one of the most important
much for a car that TT, but its not short consumer products of the
doesnt have the of driver appeal. Nicely
all-round class of damped, steers well past decade. Add that
a Cayman or TTS. and is an honest and same letter to a Peugeot, and you bring
Runs Porsche close pretty sharp drive. hot-hatch enthusiasts out in cold sweats.
for fun, though. Theres a lot to like here.
The millstone of great Pug GTis of the past
Engine 3696cc, V6, RWD, 339bhp, 276lb ft weighs heavy, so here its been avoided.
Performance 26.6mpg, 248g/km CO2, 060mph The lukewarm hatch?
This mildly warm 308 is a GT. No i here.
in 5.2secs, 155mph Weight 1535kg Price 37,575 Answers on the back of
With a snoutier grille, 18in alloys, a postcard, please...
10mm ride height chop and an Ann
Summers branch-worth of red stitching and theres enough performance to feel
inside, the 308 GT is available as a 5dr
hatch or cavernous, diesel-only SW estate.
THE RIVAL brisk. The steering is fast and light, but
toggling Sport mode adds more weight,
The hatch can be specced with the diesel, along with usefully sharper throttle
or a 202bhp, 1.6-litre petrol with 6spd response and a very synthetic backing track
manual only. Yes, the motors been pinched that mimics a gruf V6. The gearshift is
from the 208 GTi Edition 30, the frst Pug positive and enjoyable; the brakes, average.
in 20 years worthy of that badge. Here its Unlike fast Golfs, it doesnt get better the
had a remap to unlock low-rev grunt. faster you drive it just understeers.
And so we arrive at two questions. KIA CEED GT Its better to punt along than a normal
AUDI A6 AVANT ULTRA Was Peugeot right to deny the 308 GT that Similar warm hatch 308, but its not a true drivers car. Peugeot
hallowed ninth letter of the alphabet? And vibe, equally potent execs grin that car is coming, with more
A refresh of lights, Thanks to a engine, bit cheaper
grilles and alloys has decoupling gearbox regardless, is there a big enough dollop of power, more noise, more everything.
ofered the powertrain function when fun here that the upcoming 308 R should More money too. The GTs 24k price
alchemists the chance coasting, its a have your debit-card hand twitching? is already pretty meaty, but at least Peugeot
to squeeze even more bigger tax-dodger
teetotal stats from the than a comedian: The answers: yes and yes. In fact, this has loaded it with plenty of standard kit,
super-frugal ultra 61mpg and could be the epitome of a lukewarm hatch: including touchscreen nav, climate control,
A6 estate. 114g/km CO2. VERDICT
its frmer anti-roll bars dont make the ride LED lights and heated massaging seats.
so harsh that its a pain to bumble about in, Majors more on The only option you might like to consider
A beautifully Pub fact alert:
built wagon with A6 Avant ultras equipment than is the 179bhp, 289lb ft diesel version, which
an eco-tuned Golf use fbreglass rear fun well wait has bags of roll-on grunt, a surprisingly
GTD engine, this is springs to save 1.6kg! for the 266bhp quick-witted 6spd auto and 70mpg.
a great package. The That sums up the car
main weakness is the nerdy attention 308 R. Hurry Both are likeable cars that make rapid,
S tronic box, and the to detail, aiming to up, Peugeot easy progress. Theyre good grand-touring
unappealing clatter. save your pocket.
6/10
hatches (as far as thats a thing), and suit
Engine 1984cc, 4cyl turbo, FWD, 187bhp, 295lb ft the GT badge. But well wait for the i
Performance 61.4mpg, 114g/km CO2, 062mph in thank you. Apologies, R.
8.5secs, 140mph Weight 1800kg Price 35,485
1598cc 4cyl, FWD, 202bhp, 210lb ft 50.4mpg, 130g/km CO2 062mph in 7.5secs, 146mph 1200kg 24,095
AU D I A 3 E-T R O N
Niche plug
Audi takes on the Prius with yet another A3 BY OLLIE KEW
Nissan e-NV200 Combi
BY CHRIS MOONE Y
ike the Citroen Berlingo
L a past TG favourite the
e-NV200 is basically a
ows this for a line-up? commercial van converted into an
H
Audi ofers the A3 as a 2dr MPV for those who want fve seats and
cabrio, 3dr or 5dr hatch, bootspace on a budget. And as part
or 4dr saloon, as a manual of Nissans increasing electrifcation
or auto, front- or all-wheel of its range, this is the battery-powered
drive, petrol or diesel. And now this: the version, using the tech from the Leaf
plug-in hybrid e-tron, ironically only (110,000 sold globally and counting).
available as a 5dr Sportback with front The top-spec Tekna throws in as many
drive and an S tronic box. car-like options as it can alloys, parking
Want yet more choice? Try the Open-road running cameras, privacy glass, a very good
should give you
myriad driving modes ofered by this around 50mpg multimedia console, de rigueur electric
petrol-electric e-tron, which melds a car blue paint but climb in and youre
148bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with a and Hybrid Charge mode uses the engine still driving a van, sitting bolt upright and
99bhp electric motor, shoehorned into the to charge up the battery on the move. Or reaching uncomfortably for the wheel.
gearbox itself. Total system power is a VW
THE RIVAL you can plug it in for around four hours. Worse, the increased weight hampers
Golf GTI-nudging 204bhp and 258lb ft, a Too complicated? Actually, no. This is the real USP of electric cars in the city:
good deal of which is on demand instantly, a brilliantly engineered machine, which the torque. Especially using Eco mode,
thanks to the electric motor. could genuinely bring electrifcation into which gets you closer to the 106-mile
Electric-only mode ofers up 31 miles the lives of plenty of regular A3 drivers range, but with strangled acceleration and
or 80mph in theory, though it hates bitter without too much compromise. regenerative braking that feels like youve
winter weather. Our fully charged test Unlike cousin Golf GTE, the e-tron got the All Blacks front row on your rear
car was travelling about 1112 miles on VW GOLF GTE isnt trying to be an eco-GTI its just an bench. At least the sliding doors mean
e-power alone. You maximise urban range Same tech, but accomplished family hatch that, if driven they can get in and out easily.
with Hybrid Hold mode, which saves the wannabe hot-hatch in a manner than plays to its strengths (in It will make sense as a taxi, although
batteries for when youre shufing in pretensions spoil it town), costs next to nothing to run. Nissans plans to replace the London
trafc, while best-of-both-worlds Hybrid Open-road runs mean about 50mpg. black cab with a modifed NV200 have
mode combines the two power sources, Ask for max power, and its not quite been delayed. If you want an electric car
hypercar-style torque-fll the 1.4 turbo with a lot of space, its currently the only
VERDICT motor is on the thrashy side and with choice, but we cant see many real-world
125kg of batteries on board, theres more customers yet.
pitch and heave during direction changes VERDICT: Useful on paper, not too attractive
About as
and braking than in other A3s. Theres also in the real world. In every sense.
good as
a touch of interference from the brakes, due
petrol hybrid
hatches get to the need to generate extra leccy when SPECS
right now. slowing, but its better than Lexuss eforts.
Its pricey at S3 money, but if youve
107bhp electric motor, FWD, 107bhp,
8/10 shied away from the BMW i3 for being too
radical, and too range-hamstrung, the
A3 e-tron ofers a neat alternative.
187lb ft 106-mile range, 7-hour charge
time 062mph in 14.0secs, 76mph
1498cc 4cyl, electric motor, FWD, 204bhp, 258lb ft 177.6mpg, 37g/km CO2 062mph in 7.6secs, 138mph 1540kg 29,950
(incl. gov grant)
1542kg 26,309
(incl. gov grant) 3/10
Q&A
VW Passat Estate
Bigger, more refined, unassuming exterior its the revamped Passat BY OLLIE KEW
ake up TG, thats material and build quality, which surpasses
the old Passat! even the MkVII Golf, let alone the Ford
W Not so but from the rear,
the eighth-gen Passats
Mondeo. Its far from stimulating UK
Passats wont be ofered with the Audi TTs
restyle is so subtle even its space-age digital instruments until July, and
parents couldnt tell them apart. The front is even then the only other cabin detail of note
better a wide, chrome-festooned Phaeton- is the stretched air vent which mimics sheet
alike face. As per usual from VW, the real music staves but the ergonomics are spot
overhaul has occurred out of sight on and its as easy to use as a toaster.
Whats the point of that, then? Does that diet turn the Passat wagon Ergonomically good,
Think about it the types who buy Passat into a corner carver? cabin also uses
decent materials
wagons demand lots of space, refnement, No a Mondeo or BMW 3 is a palpably
and some posh fxtures and fttings wrapped sportier drive, despite all of the Passat test
in an unassuming shell. The new Passat cars wearing 700 of adaptive dampers. VERDICT diesel performance car, so the whole
Estate does all of the above comprehensively Meanwhile, the new 237bhp, 369lb ft experience is a bit disjointed. Fuel
better than the outgoing car which itself BiTDI twin-turbo diesel ofers 62mph in economy on our test was an alarming
All the car you
was ageing remarkably gracefully. a GTI-spec 6.3 seconds and impressively 34.2mpg the regular 2.0 TDIs ofering
and your family
Thanks to the modular MQB chassis, brief turbo lag yet isnt an out-and-out will ever need, around 150bhp are a much better ft.
2015s Passat is marginally shorter but so long as you
much roomier the interior has a handy never require Anything else?
33mm of extra length, while the 650-litre a ficker of Watch the price. Spec a wagon with the
boot swells to 1,780 litres with the rear personality. bi-turbo diesel engine, 4WD, a seven-speed
backrests folded up 47 and 49 litres DSG and some tech toys and the price
respectively. Thats all in a car, which, thanks
to clever material usage in the rear axle,
bodyshell, steering gubbins and even the
7/10 soars north of 40k. The Passat is just as
inofensively competent for over 10k less.
wiring looms, is 85kg lighter than its forebear.

Remarkable engineering, no?
Will I feel all this when I climb inside?

The extra room certainly: a six-foot-plus
adult will be perfectly cheerful seated
behind a similarly lofty driver. Visibility is also
improved, and youll appreciate the jump in
SPECS 1995cc, 4cyl, AWD, 237bhp, 369lb ft 53.3mpg, 139g/km CO2 062mph in 6.3secs, 149mph 1721kg 34,510
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JAGUAR XE
With its sights frmly set on

the 3-Series and C-Class,
the new Jaguar XE has a
mountain to climb. Literally
WORDS: JASON BARLOW /
PICTURES: RICHARD PARDON

You either like
something or
you dont. And
we like the XE
Theres nothing quite

as exhilarating as
a powerful car
on black ice...
Ah... the one downside

to a horsepower-tastic
V6. Fuel. At least its
getting cheaper...
JAGUAR XE
J
ags engineers talk about 50-metre feel. as something special. And the rear end is arguably even better
Its a refreshing admission that fve years resolved purposeful, stubby, strong graphics, all that cool stuf.
efort and 1bn investment can be undone In fact, now is probably a good time to introduce the XEs
in a heartbeat if the basics arent right. twin nemeses, the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes Benz C-Class.
TopGears version is called the 5am Well be hearing from them again in diferent contexts (and in
start. To be brutally honest, Im not a Ollies test, which follows on page 89), but the 3 looks oddly
big fan, but you know the score: there over-evolved these days, and theres something about the C
are cars youd happily set the alarm for, usually the ones that thats admirable rather than desirable.
dribble with horsepower and make a sound like Brian Blessed There are two big engineering stories on the XE, and both
gargling Madras-infused mouthwash. feed into this 50-metre-feel metric. The most important is
The Jaguar XE is not one of those. Its much more important that Jaguar has poured gazillions into refning the aluminium
than that. So important that thousands of jobs have been created processes its been exploring since 2003s XJ. The XEs body is
in the Midlands to build it, and that its success or otherwise more than 75 per cent aluminium, with all the benefts that fow
will have a genuinely seismic impact on the brands bottom from that it weighs less while delivering extra stifness and
line. Whiskery members of the automotive media have written rigidity. This goodness is mostly manifest in the monocoque,
that sentence a lot down the years. This time its For Real. but aluminium is also used in the A-pillars and the front and
So its a good job that the XE passes the test that precedes rear crash structures. The B-pillars use aluminium reinforced
even the 50-metre feel, the one that connects your eyeballs to with high-tensile steel, separated by a layer of high-density
your heart. Ive seen it at previews, and blinking like a newborn foam. Its all riveted and glued together rather than welded,
under scalding motor-show lights, but wreathed in mist outside a adding an unimpeachable USP in this everyman market sector.
hotel on a chilly Portuguese morning is another matter. Not even Fifty metres is probably too short a distance to know for
the presence of prototype stickers on the doors distracts the sure, but the XE immediately feels like a high-quality object.
critical eye, although there are shades of bubble-wrap Citroen Its almost in the ether; its certainly evident in how the doors
Cactus about their efect. (Full declaration: our car is apparently feel when you pull them shut (and theyre made of steel). The
94 per cent fnished, the six that arent contained in some uneven XE is aimed at big company-feet nabobs and increasingly spoilt
interior trim and a satnav thats due some software upgrades.) company-car user-choosers. Its three-year RVs are best-in-class,
It helps that TGs test car is the 3.0 S, the 335bhp supercharged and all the numbers have been crunched with empirical
range-topper that wears fatter Dunlops, 19in alloys and less precision to keep the bean-counters happy. But youll appreciate
chrome fnery. But nailing all of the now-familiar Jaguar design the door thunk on a wet Monday morning in Milton Keynes.
tropes is far trickier on a compact saloon aimed at the mass Youll also like the high level of perceived quality inside.
market than it is on image-building eye candy such as the F-Type. The cabin layout is simple and strong; the materials, a tactile
Chip and sausage
Theres no point me wibbling on about it here because, sandwich adds and practical mix of soft leather and durable-feeling plastics.
although design is now accepted as the key diferentiator in considerable ballast There are proper dials rather than a TFT display, and the all-
the car business, its also the area where the only opinion that to the Jaguar XE new eight-inch InControl telematics system is simple and
matters is yours. You either like something or you dont. Two intuitive, if not particularly nice to look at. Needless to say,
observations, though: Jaguars command of sharp radii and the itll talk to your Apple or Android device, and an app can
fow of the lines on the XEs bonnet mark the front of this car out pre-heat the cabin a week in advance and warn your dealer
YOULL APPRECIATE
THE XES DOOR
THUNK ON A WET
MONDAY MORNING
JAGUAR XE
if somethings amiss with the car. Back in the real world, the The range starts at 26,995 for the base 2.0-litre petrol, with
steering wheel feels absolutely lovely. our 3.0 S the priciest at 44,870, until a fery R version turns up
Then theres what its connected to the other signifcant down the track. Jaguar calls the paint scheme Italian Racing Red,
engineering story. Jaguars chassis guru, the inestimable Mike a knowing counterpoint to British Racing Green and another sly
Cross, is a stickler for steering feel, a man who probably assesses nod to the fact that character is the commodity that separates its
the way his corn fakes leave his breakfast bowl for linearity. eforts from those of the German bermensch. We have a long
Mike prefers hydraulic assistance, but the XE is the frst Jaguar motorway schlep ahead of us, the domain the XE is destined for.
to use electric power steering. Why? Because efciency outpoints Its immediately deeply satisfying. Elsewhere in the range, the
interactivity on the box-ticking front, and EPAS cuts the 3.0 S XE gets new Ingenium engines, but the S uses the supercharged
models CO2 emissions by three per cent. Jaguar insists the 3.0-litre V6 from the F-Type. At cruising speeds, the overall
control software is now so good the system can even compensate picture painted by the XE is as accomplished and refned as cars
for changes in ambient temperature. The rest is subjective. from the class above, maybe even the one above that. Subjectively,
It feels largely spot-on to me, as we head north from our it feels like a small XJ. As surely as the winter sun dissipates the
base near Estoril the circuit on which Ayrton Senna scored mist, the XE casually smothers the motorway miles.
his maiden F1 victory in 1985 bound for the Serra da Estrela In addition to its largely aluminium structure, the XE uses a
national park, well over 200 miles away near the town of Covilha, trick suspension set-up, with double wishbones at both ends and
but home to some great roads and scenery. We have one day only a clever multi-link rear with forged toe links, control arms and
to immerse ourselves in XE, hence the early start and typically hollow castings. EU money hasnt blessed Portugal with the
TG ambitious plan. No quick bimble round the block for us. same network of billiard-table-smooth motorway surfaces as
its Spanish neighbour, but the XE S rides this choppy patchwork
with palpable fnesse. It has adaptive damping, whose parameters
are fxed. Personally, Id trust Jaguar of all people to identify the
optimum setting, and dont feel the need to fick between the
usual Comfort, Sport and Please See Your Osteopath settings.
Its not a home run, though. Out of Covilha and into the
national park, the climb up begins with a looping ribbon of
second- and third-gear hairpins, before opening out into faster
fourth-gear sequences. This is where a car like BMWs 335i
M Sport excels (at 38,260, its also cheaper, at least until the
usual options-list burglary begins). I reckon the XE has the
XE manages to
smooth out the sweeter steering (just), but its engine feels oddly tight, and the
broken Portuguese ZF eight-speed auto identical to the one used by BMW isnt
roads impressively the paragon of smooth quick-wittedness I remember. Its most
likely an ECU calibration thing, but it still jars. Theres no dif,
either, so while you can pile into a tight corner with fantastic
abandon, youll exit messily with the inside rear wheel spinning.
THE XE IS THE
FIRST JAGUAR
TO USE ELECTRIC
POWER STEERING

The XEs body is
more than 75
per cent aluminium.
Light but stif
Interior is plain lovely.

Soft leather and hard-
wearing plastics should
stand the test of time
Ice + snow + 3.0-litre

supercharged V6 =
well, lets just say,
thank God for TC
JAGUAR XE
Lesser XEs might be less prone to this exhibitionism, and its
only a problem if you insist on driving like your hairs on fre.
I didnt realise Portugal had ski resorts, but we fnd them.
There are also religious statues carved into the rock face, and
mad-looking buildings and dams. Its all turned very Where Eagles
Dare. The XEs traction control has been beefed up to include
All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), a cousin of Land Rovers
all-terrain control, whose software does sophisticated battle
with snow and ice. It works, but we could use winter tyres this
far up; theres black ice about. We dont mess about here for long.
The XE pours itself back down the mountain like well-
engineered treacle. It generally brakes, steers and handles
like you hoped it would, perhaps even better. Having fully
established its NVH credentials, we let the Meridian sound
system do its most excellent thing.
No question, this car has an immensely tough task ahead of
it, trying to crowbar open a market segment thats beset on all
sides with challenges in the form of unapologetic business
orthodoxies, BIK, and two of the fnest real-world technology
products of all, outside even the confnes of the car industry.
The 3-Series remains the superior driving machine, by a
margin most wafers would struggle to measure. The latest
C-Class is a sublime place from which to ply Europes motorways.
But the BMW can feel a little edgy, and in swapping its sports
saloon ambitions for absolute comfort, the Mercedes suddenly
feels very grown-up. Could the Jaguar XE have found the sweet
spot between the two? For 50 metres and beyond, we reckon so.
JAGUAR XE S JAGUAR XE 2.0D 180

SUPERCHARGED R-SPORT AUTO
THE XE POURS
Price: 44,870 Price: 34,775
Engine: 2995cc, Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl,
supercharged V6, 178bhp @ 4000rpm,
335bhp, 332lb ft 317lb ft @ 1750rpm
ITSELF DOWN THE

Performance: Performance:
062mph in 5.1secs, 062mph in 7.8secs,
155mph max 140mph max
MOUNTAIN LIKE WELL-

Transmission: 8spd Transmission: 8spd
auto, RWD auto, RWD
Economy: 34.9mpg, Economy: 67.3mpg,
ENGINEERED TREACLE
194g/km CO2 109g/km CO2
Weight: 1665kg Weight: 1565kg
Dimensions (LWH): Av. lease deal: 465
4624mm/1811mm/ Insurance quote:
1429mm NA

THE JAGS RIVALS
E/
R R I AG
: O L L IE MA BLE
S M
WORD ES: LEE BRI
R
P IC T U
rch arg e d
n the supe ese l?
e se e e d i
Youv what about th C...
XE, but attles the 3 and
b
Here, it
o, a supercharged Jaguar XE is A Very Good
S
Thing. And thats important for the XE
to prove itself as a sports saloon gives the
range kudos alongside the likes of the BMW
335i and forthcoming Mercedes-Benz C450.
So thats all well and good. But, be
honest: youre not thinking of buying a supercharged
XE, are you? No, youve heard about the new-generation
Ingenium engines and have probably had a sneaky look at
your company-car policy, or the lease deals available, and
youre thinking the diesel XE looks like it might be A Very
Good Thing too. Prices from 29,775, 161 or 178bhp, satnav
standard on every model in the range, CO2 emissions below

THE JAGS RIVALS
Dual carriageways
are the natural
home of these two
100g/km, free road tax. All that stuf that would allow you
to justify a Jag. And justifying a Jag, making it stack up fnancially
as well as emotionally, isnt something thats been possible for a
long time, perhaps ever (no, the X-Type doesnt count).
But theres a thing, and the thing is that the Germans are
persistently, annoyingly brilliant. Weve ignored the Audi A4
because its a spent force these days, soon to be replaced, but
the BMW and the Merc? Much tougher to argue against.
The C-Class channels the luxury spirit of the S-Class into
a smaller package. Distilled essence of S. There are strong
arguments to say this is a more desirable, more creative and MERCEDES-BENZ
better targeted car than the bigger E-Class. Its tremendous. C250 AMG LINE AUTO
Meanwhile the BMW 3-Series has never been stronger: its Price: 35,850
a brilliant all-rounder, the class benchmark, wonderfully Engine: 2143cc, 4cyl,
easy to get on with and afordable to run, but able to dissect 201bhp @ 3800rpm,
a corner with real panache if the occasion demands. 369lb ft @ 1600rpm
Now, just so were clear, we did not have all three cars Performance:
together in the same place at the same time. I spent a week 062mph in 6.6secs,
tooling around the UK in the BMW and Mercedes before heading 153mph max
out to Portugal to drive the Jaguar. Nor do we have perfectly Transmission: 7spd
auto, RWD
matched examples. The BMW is a 4WD 320d xDrive; the Merc,
Economy: 65.7mpg,
BMW 320d M SPORT a 201bhp C250, rather than the more power-appropriate and
113g/km CO2
xDRIVE AUTO sales-popular 168bhp C220. And in this class, the devil is in the Weight: 1595kg
Price: 34,825 detail. The odd gram of CO2 here, a stray option there and the Av lease deal: 350
Engine: 1995cc, 4cyl, deal could be broken. Money matters; running costs matter. Do Ins. quote: 485
182bhp @ 4000rpm, without 4WD, and the BMW is the cheapest by over 1,400. Drop
280lb ft @ 1750rpm to a manual C220, and nothing can match its promise of 70.6mpg.
Performance: We havent got the space to deal with the fner points of the
062mph in 7.4secs, spec sheets here, but all three are equipped with auto boxes and
142mph max in sportiest trim. For Jag, this means the 178bhp version of the
Transmission: 8spd
new 2.0 Ingenium diesel, complete with 8spd auto and R Sport
auto, 4WD
Economy: 61.4mpg,
trim. Its the exact model Jag has the most pre-orders for.
122g/km CO2 As Jason pointed out, there are things we have to ignore on
Weight: 1595kg these fnal-stage prototypes. The diesel sufers from excessive
Av lease deal: 455 turbo whistle, to go with the untextured cabin plastics. There
Ins. quote: 430 was no mention of any gearbox issues, but Id be surprised if
the calibration wasnt due a couple more tweaks BMW uses
the same ZF gearbox and in the 320d its peerless, while here
it was a bit jittery through the lower gears. No complaints
if you choose to self-shift, though.
Expecting the XE to be revolutionary, to set new standards
across the board? The competition is too talented for that to be
the case. Jaguar makes much play of the XEs aluminium-heavy
body structure, but at 1,565kg, its merely class-competitive.
Same goes for the Ingenium engine. It has a lovely slug
of mid-range power, but that tails of quite soon, and yes,
you can tell its a diesel. Smooth and admirably free of
clatter it may be, but the noise is there.
Look at the Merc
cabin and weep, But what matters is how it feels on the road, and Jaguars 3-Series still has
rivals. Its the best pitch is simple: The drivers car in the global premium midsize the edge for driver
saloon segment. The italics are Jags. It has to beat the 3. So you involvement
expect it to be sporty, but actually the XE is closer in execution
to the C-Class, majoring more on comfort and relaxation.
You may fnd this disappointing, but its an intelligent
strategy. The BMW is a fraction nervous, demands concentration,
the Mercedes is a bit hefty on the road, but the XE comes across
as a beautifully oiled product, fuid and capable. The ride is
peerless; motorway behaviour, fabulous. Yes, its a shame steering
feel is lacking, the front end isnt a bit sharper and it doesnt
properly suck you into a good road like the eager BMW, but as an
everyday car, its massively impressive, so composed and hushed.
The class-leader? We cant give a defnitive verdict until we
have them all on the same road, but each of these three has
an area it excels in, a compelling reason to choose it over the
others. The Merc has the best cabin and feels the most upmarket.
Nothing has changed to knock the BMW of its drivers car
pedestal. The Jaguar is efortless. Youll choose the car that
BMW interior is
nice enough. But
suits you best, but whats important here is that Jaguar has built
is it good enough? a compact saloon that can stand up and be counted alongside
the best in the world. For the time being, thats enough.
THE COMPETITION IS JUST TOO

TALENTED FOR THE XE TO SET NEW
STANDARDS ACROSS THE BOARD

FOCUS TD ST

C A N A D I E S E L E S TAT E
R E A L LY B E T H E U K S
B E S T H O T H AT C H ?
Its a small, grey estate with a 2.0-litre diesel
engine. The Focus ST TDCi heads to the
hills to see if it deserves the badge. Or not
WORDS: TOM FORD / PICTURES: JUSTIN LEIGHTON

ord has produced a refreshed Focus low CO2 fgure. But when youre getting upwards
F
ST. Light smattering of applause, of 50 per cent better fuel economy ofcial fgures
happy face. We like the ST in the tending to be more easily replicated in a diesel
UK, the combination of relatively its a hard one to ignore. It also looks identical
cheap power, everyday usability to the petrol-powered equivalent (you can have
and B-road talent marking it out as a bit of a either in extra-practical estate guise for 1,100
blue-collar hero. This time, its not a revolution, more, as we have here), apart from the dials in
keeping the previous 247bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost, the cabin. Seriously, you wouldnt know unless
but gaining the midlife surgery of the mainstream you popped open the fuel cap.
Focus with a larger grille, new lights front and Its of vital importance, then, to fgure out
back and a slightly lower and wider stance, what its like to drive. And frst impressions are
butched-up in ST guise with big wheels and a mixed. And confusing. Start the car, and it makes
sharp-looking bodykit. Its no faster than before a decidedly un-dieselly whumping noise from
(062mph in 6.5 seconds, 154mph fat-out), the centrally mounted sports exhaust. Which
but Ford claims to have improved the driving is promising. But the enticing grufness then
experience by introducing all-new front springs, immediately settles especially when cold into
new dampers for both ends, rewired EPAS power a familiar four-pot diesel chatter, which leaves
steering for better steering feel, reinforced engine you feeling a little cheated. Photoshop for your
mounts, tweaked Electronic Torque Vectoring ears. After that, pull away on anything other FORD FOCUS ST
control and a new set of Michelin tyres. There are than glass, and youll notice that the ride is TDCi 185 ESTATE
three versions: all STs get Recaro seats, 18s, DAB actually quite choppy, frm enough to annoy, Price: 23,295
and aircon. The ST-2 gets LED running lights, despite having the same revisions as its petrol- Engine: 1997cc,
climate, part-leather interior and a heated powered contemporary. Which is, again, not quite 4cyl turbodiesel
windscreen for 1,500 more; the ST-3 adds 1,300 what I was expecting fast Fords are usually a Power: 182bhp
extra on top of that for fancier-again full-leather little more compliant than this. A healthy 295lb ft @ 3500rpm
Torque: 295lb ft
electric seating, bi-xenons and diferent alloys. then follows, which restores your confdence
@ 2000rpm
So far, so entirely predictable. somewhat, meted through a decent six-speed
Performance:
There is, however, a curveball. And it comes in manual box. And then the weird noises return, 062mph in 8.3secs
the shape of the 182bhp Focus ST TDCi. Of course, with the TD ST (I refuse to call it the STD, for Max speed: 135mph
sporty hatch diesels arent exactly cutting-edge obvious reasons), sounding uncannily like a petrol- Economy: 67.3mpg,
thinking the VW Golf GTD looming large here powered boxer-four as heard through a thin wall, 110g/km CO2
but this is the frst time that Ford has ofered or the mute of a small trumpet. Its obviously
a diesel ST in the Focus range. An unsurprising the result of some acoustic occultism, but you
marketing move, since the UKs enduring love cant argue with the result: on the move, it sounds
afair with diesel means that 49.8 per cent of new really quite nice. Which is most unexpected and
cars sold in 2014 run on the stuf, outstripping leaves me more confused than ever. A diesel hot
petrol percentages of 48.8 per cent of registrations hatch that sounds good but doesnt? A diesel estate
(if you think my maths doesnt add up, the other that rides like a street racer? I need a decent road
1.4 per cent is made up of alternatively fuelled and some thinking time in the car, so we head
vehicles). Also unsurprisingly, its a bit slower than north to unravel the mystery.
its brother (062mph in 8.1 seconds and 135mph), Cruising on motorways and A-roads, youd
but manages a decent chunk of extra mileage per never know you were in the diesel, apart from an
litre of fuel: 67.3mpg and 110g/km CO2 versus the uncanny ability to pull sixth gear from low revs
petrol STs 41.5 and 159. Again, nothing very and a mild disdain for petrol-station forecourts,
new in terms of the calculations you have to real-life mid-ffties mpg helping to see of the
do to work out which suits. Except temptations of motorway services
that the pair cost exactly the same, convenience foods. Once of the
starting at 22,195. Which means main carriageways, the nibbly
that youre faced with the very real, ride once again arises, making
very tricky decision between power me think this car might well be a
and economy heart versus head. handful where weve ended up
With UK fuel prices dropping on a the Forest of Bowland, north of
weekly basis at the time of writing, Blackburn. Now, this area is often
maybe this diesel hot hatch isnt so overlooked as a place to drive, but
much late to the party as turned up THE PICK OF THE the views are spectacular and the
on entirely the wrong day. FORD ST BUNCH roads challenging. If you take
Of course, there is always still If you want traditional the Slaidburn Road (B6478) out
a host of factors to take into account, ST goodness (pace/ of Waddington and then left out
price/fun), the petrol
and the oily ST obviously has more of Newton-in-Bowland and track
hatch is the TG choice
than half an eye on the feet sectors up towards Abbeystead, you end up
beneft-in-kind tax rules with that with a mix of moorland top roads
09 4 FEBRUARY 2015
FOCUS TD ST
The TDCi is indistinguishable

from the petrol version -
apart from the dials inside
SPORTY HATCH DIESELS

ARENT EXACTLY CUTTING-
EDGE THINKING Cabin is pleasant, but
unsurprising. Materials
good, but not exceptional
FOCUS TD ST
THE SHEEP LOOK WORRIED - AND

JUST WHEN THE FOCUS SHOULD
FALL APART, IT RESOLVES
and strange, technical little back roads. Quite

the combination. Many are single-track, most
have the kind of undulations that would make
a roller coaster vomit. They are also prone to
camber, potholes, unguarded edges and free-range
sheep. None of which are particularly conducive to
fast progress in a car with too-hard suspension.
The Focus is, initially, a bit frenetic. Its been
raining heavily, and on greasy roads, in the lower
gears theres a fair amount of wheelspin and a
surprising amount of torque-steer. These roads
crown heavily towards the centre and the edges
tend to be cracked and pitted like rotten teeth,
so suspension has to work hard to keep the car
gripping and confdent. The sightlines are also on
the blind side of marginal, with decently throat-
tightening lefts and rights camoufaged in the
shadows of crests like geographical magic tricks.
You cant take anything for granted, and a car that
does exactly what you want it to is vital, lest you
fnd yourself zigging when you should have zagged
and end up upside down in Langden Brook.
The Focus is not very comfortable. Both
literally and fguratively. It steers well, responds
to inputs faithfully, but it gets pulled around by

Not worried about
aquaplaning so much
as actually sinking
the roadway, bullied by the inconsistency of the

surface. Smooth roads are joyous enough lean
to let you know whats going on, enough grunt
to haul you through the tighter corners without
resorting to a lower gear but in the tricky stuf,
where a hot hatch should really shine, it feels
subtly incomplete.
Which is where I get a bit annoyed. And
drive a little faster. It gets intense. The sheep
look worried. And just when it should really fall
apart, magically, the Focus resolves. It turns
out that when theres enough vision to get a
clear idea of the road ahead and I can carry a
little more speed, the Ford tidies up considerably.
It seems that the harder it works, the better the
STs suspension feels. Give it load and purpose,
throw it a bit harder, and the Focus suddenly
wakes up, absorbs better with more aggression,
hunkers down where it was skipping. The tyres
work harder, and the balance is actually very
neutral much more so than you expect in a
front-wheel-drive car even giving a hint of lift-
of oversteer. Only a hint, mind. The roads are
not wide, and the concerned sheep look dense.
In fact, go fast enough to get that suspension
doing what its supposed to, and if you can forget
the low-rev limiter, the combination of subdued
engine thrum and pleasing natural pointiness
means you can almost not remember that youre
actually in a small diesel estate car. But its the
same old argument. A diesel four-pot might be
good, but its still a diesel. It can only ever be good
for a diesel. Its to do with the engineering of the
motor itself: a compression (diesel) engine, where
the cylinder compresses the fuel/air mixture until
it explodes rather than using a spark plug, runs at
much higher pressures than a petrol. The result
is generally heavier internal components and
more inertia, lower revs and less response. Diesel
also burns more slowly than petrol, giving a
meatier, if less instant, thump and a bolts-in-
a-washing-machine timbre to the vocal range.
Of course, turbos and metered fuel injection
ameliorate some of the issues, and diesels ofer
hugely rewarding amounts of useful torque, but
until you get into V6 or V8 territory (usually allied
with a slick auto), a diesel engine never really feels
as satisfyingly sporting as a petrol.
Which leaves the Focus ST TDCi in something
of a hole. The occupier of a very particular niche.
Given the nature of the UK market, the cost of
fuel and the relative costs of the two versions
of the ST, as a private buyer with a love of hot
hatches, Id be sticking with the traditional petrol
variant, no question. Its signifcantly quicker, and
I suspect itd provide more traditional thrills on a
favourite B-road blast. The relative inefciency
would be ofset a little by cheaper petrol prices,
and a lot by the enduring satisfaction. But, if the
diesel-powered version was the semi-sporty thing
that you can mollify the business manager with by
telling him that its a battleship grey 2.0-litre diesel
Focus estate, then its by no means a bad thing. Its
just a bit more practical than desirable.

MUSCLE
FORD GT
MEMORY
A half-century after the original, the new Ford GT is still an
all-American supercar... except this ones designed by Brits
WORDS: TOM FORD / PICTURES: WEBB BLAND

N
FORD GT
ext year will be the 50th anniversary of the frst of Fords In fact, the waisted design aft of the aircraft-inspired cockpit cabin and
four consecutive wins at Le Mans with the legendary curved windscreen is actually more hole than whole, incorporating huge gaps
GT40, and its historic 1-2-3 fnish at the 1966 event. Until under those immense fying buttresses. With the airfow managed across the
recently, it looked like Ford wouldnt have a car capable whole area of the car, theres also an active rear spoiler that changes height
of fghting the good fght on that particular birthday. But and pitch depending on driver input or conditions, and a huge rear difuser.
that changed at the recent Detroit motor show, when it Even the rear lights are hollowed out for use as cooling vents, echoing the
unveiled the new Ford GT. And stole the entire show. high-mounted pair of gunbarrel exhausts in the centre. Not as committed to
Now, keeping secrets in the motor industry is difcult, referencing the old race GT40s, but something new and ultra-modern. Design
especially when bringing a car to life requires the boss Callum commented: It was important to us to design a car that was all
equivalent of a small army necessary to design, construct about how youd design a car with the ethos of the GT40 today, as opposed
and engineer the thing. Humans with an impossible need to redesigning the GT40. We wanted to pay homage to what had gone before
to gossip. But somehow Ford managed to keep the GT details all over the car do that but the majority of the car was created to
under wraps for 14 months by making it a skunkworks achieve todays goals. Above all, it couldnt be a cartoon of what went before.
project in the basement of the Product Development If the GT40 emerged for the frst time today, this is how it would look.
Centre at its facility in Dearborn, Michigan, working weekends and nights with And it looks spectacular. Made mostly of lightweight structural carbon
a very small team all sworn to secrecy on pain of death. Or at least a very stern fbre, the GT features a carbon tub in the centre sprouting aluminium
talking to. Assembled journalists were expecting a fast Ford, but they were subframe assemblies from which to hang the engine and suspension.
prepared for a Focus RS rather than the replacement for the GT supercar of a Suspension that features a race-style torsion bar and pushrod arrangement,
decade ago. When the Liquid Blue show car rolled out, jaws dropped. plus damping with adjustable ride height over 20-inch lightweight wheels and
Its not hard to see why. With obvious GT40 and previous-GT references, carbon-ceramic brakes as standard. The bones then, are racing car. So far,
this is less retro-pastiche than the car that sold just over 4,000 units between so good. But the mid-mounted engine has caused some concern among the
2005 and 06. Created by a design team led by Fords vice president of design faithful, being, as it is, not a thumping naturally aspirated V8, but a 3.5-litre
Scotsman Moray Callum, and realised by Sunderland-born design director twin-turbo EcoBoost V6. You can sense the Good Ol Boys wincing from here.
Christopher Svensson, the new GT drips with purpose. It may be roughly Fords group vice president and chief technical ofcer (essentially the boss
the same size as the previous GT (120mm longer, 25mm lower, wider engineer for all Ford cars) Raj Nair responded by saying: There are loads of
by 50mm and with the same wheelbase), the front might have a familiar new innovations here, and the high-tech EcoBoost engine is a perfect ft for
ducted bonnet and fat headlights, but theres a new angular aggression to the car. The 3.5 V6 has more power than the 6.2 V8, and better economy. That
the whole form that makes you think of serious aerodynamic efciency. blend of performance with efciency is important.

Intakes on the rear
arches cool intercoolers
in the rear pontoons
Stacked headlights sit atop Narrow EcoBoost V6

a massive gash in the front allowed for a tiny waist
spoiler. Thats design for you and slimline cockpit
Showcars 20-inch aluminium

wheels will be replaced with
carbon fbre for production
FORD GT
A new way of thinking for the modern age? Possibly, but theres still the endurance racing eforts. The one that managed three wins in its frst season
worry that a V6 EcoBoost isnt true to the GT heritage. Yes its a power-dense, of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in 2014, and equipped with
easily packaged and efcient twin-turbo, but no one really buys a supercar an all-new direct dual fuel-injection set-up to improve engine response, and
based on the combined mpg fgure. And its unlikely the new GT will appear remove some of the inevitable turbo lag. Incidentally, the intercoolers for
on many company-car lists. The stats still bear some thinking about, despite the turbos are mounted in what Ford refers to as pontoons (the rear
the reticence about the format. Its not exactly anaemic. Producing around wheelarch pods), cooled by the generous slashes in the front of the rear
600bhp and driven exclusively through the rear wheels via a seven-speed wheelarch. Theres also no attempt to jump on the hybrid bandwagon:
double-clutch gearbox, the V6 should have more than enough grunt to unlike the new Acura/Honda NSX (see page 28), or the current crop of
power what is likely to be a car with serious power-to-weight. In fact, hypercar hybrids such as the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and LaFerrari, the
Ford is promising that the GT will exhibit one of the best power-to-weight GT does without weighty electric motors or AWD the motor and aero
ratios of any production car leading us to speculate that the GT may may be new-school, but the GT remains traditional in terms of how it
well manage somewhere around a slimline 1,200kg kerbweight. gets power to the ground without electrical supplementation.
And were not talking about a repurposed truck engine, either: the Inside, accessed through beetle-wing doors, the GT gets seats bolted
V6 is based on the motor doing duty in Fords IMSA Daytona Prototype directly to the carbon tub, with the wheel and pedals moving to accommodate
AMERICAN
ORIGINAL
FORD GT40 19641969 (MK II)

7.0-litre n/a V8, 485bhp, 475lb ft,
4spd manual, RWD, 5.5 seconds to
62mph, 160mph, 1297kg
FORD GT 20052006
5.4-litre scharged V8, 550bhp,
500lb ft, 6spd manual, RWD, 3.7
seconds to 62mph, 205mph, 1520kg
FORD GT 2016
3.5-litre bi-turbo V6, 600+bhp,
600lb ft (est), 7spd DSG, RWD, >3.3
seconds to 62mph, 200mph+, 1200kg

Aero-smart bodywork
is designed for
much speed
diferent drivers, exactly as in the LaFerrari. The steering wheel houses somewhere comparable to a Lamborghini Aventador or Ferrari 458 Speciale.
most of the relevant controls (meaning a plethora of buttons to push), That means hundreds of new GTs rather than thousands, with a pricetag
leaving a stalk-free steering column for the change paddles. On top of that, of somewhere between 200,000 and 250k.
theres a fully digital and confgurable instrument cluster with diferent With Ford promising 12 new Ford Performance vehicles by 2020 a list
driving modes equipped with Fords SYNC3 multimedia. If you ignore the already populated in the US by the Focus RS, 2017 F-150 Raptor truck, Shelby
complicated wheel, it looks clean and purposeful stylish and modern, GT350 and GT350R Mustangs the GT provides a happy halo for the rest of
but without the frippery that might cause it to date too quickly. the brand. Especially as now it sports an engine that bears the same name as
Callum reckons that roughly 95 per cent of the GT will remain as it is the one you buy in your common-or-garden Focus, F-150 pickup or base Stang.
for production due to start next year with only a few things like fnal This is the ultimate Ford, said Nair. The ultimate embodiment of all
headlight shape and rear-view mirrors taking on signifcant change. There our innovation everything from the wheels, aerodynamics, engine. All this
are no ofcial performance fgures from Ford as yet, but bet on the 062mph new technology is important for future Fords. The GT is the fagship for this
dash taking under 3.3 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. A set of stats innovation, and thats why were building it.
that puts the new GT into serious supercar territory and Ford reckons that Well be seeing the fnal production version sometime next year. Which
the price will refect the performance, with fewer cars being built at a price means that, at the start of 2015, were already wishing the year away.
Clean and purposeful,

stylish and modern. Wants
to be for a quarter mill...

DISCOVERY SPORT
B R I T A I N
So much for the UK being ft to
bursting... theres plenty of room,
you just need the right car to get
to it. Enter the Discovery Sport
WORDS: SAM PHILIP / PICTURES: JUSTIN LEIGHTON
I S F U L L .
ritain is full. We know this is true, for
Nigel Farage says it is so, and Nigel
Farage is not a man given to tub-
thumping hyperbole. Stufed to the
rafters, we are, says Nige, every inch
of our glorious green isle jam-packed
with dole-claiming, beneft-scrounging humans.
Cant exit your front door without tripping over a
dozen migrants. Shut the borders; were brimmed.
Now, far be it from me to question the claims
of our treasured right-wing politicians, but I cant
help thinking Big Nige and his ilk might be wrong.
Because weve just bumbled to a halt in front of
a stone bothy somewhere deep in Scotlands
Cairngorm Mountains a region, as of the last
referendum, still very much part of Britain and,
right now, Britain doesnt look especially full at all.
I T S S O R E M OTE
In fact, right now, Britain looks decidedly whats
the word? empty. Vacant. Deserted.
In every direction lies glorious nothing. No sign
of a village or telegraph pole or road. No evidence
of human habitation of any kind, save our Discovery I T M AK E S THE
SHINING S H OT E L
Sport and the bothy, of which we semi-feral
photographer Justin, a man born for a primal
mountain existence if ever there was one are very
LOO K S U BU R BAN
much the only inhabitants. Just hills and heather
and the last weak fngers of a December sun sinking
heavy into a still sky. We havent seen another car or
human in two hours, since we swung of the tarmac
somewhere near Pitlochry and began wending our
way up a rutted, stony dirt track high into the hills,
bumping over tumbling streams, inching our way
down scree slopes and fording rivers to arrive,
eventually, at this spot, so distant from civilisation
that it makes The Shinings Overlook Hotel seem
virtually suburban. Accept it, Nige: Britains not
full. You just need to fnd the empty bits.
And have the means to get there. Ill be honest,
I didnt expect the Discovery Sport to make it here,
at least not with bumpers attached. After all, this is
an upmarket SUV riding on big alloys: replacement
for the Freelander, but posher and (in LR design
boss Gerry McGoverns own words) more urban.
Not to mention more, um, seaty. The Discovery
Sport, though only 9cm longer than that departing
Freelander, packs no fewer than seven seats: the
conventional fve, plus a pair of evening-and-weekend
items that fat-fold neatly in the back. Put it this way:
you wouldnt want to be stuck back there for a
two-hour crawl over a Scottish mountain, but for a
jaunt across town theyd do, even for mid-size adults.
Settling down for a
Its an impressive feat of packaging. Land Rover
quiet evening in a
has cheated that extra space in the back by ditching
bothy. Sam breaks open
the Freelanders MacPherson rear suspension in the Disco Sport manual
favour of a posh new multilink set-up, a design it for a spot of light
reckons not only yields more room, but better reading. Quickly
manners on- and of-road. Theyre not kidding wonders whether hed
about the of-road bit. Well, were here, arent we? be warmer in the car
What a spot. Bar the gurgling of a brook carrying than the freezing
frosty, clear meltwater, all is silent. As a million cold Scottish shack
stars start to shimmer above, a snow-white
mountain hare pops up from behind a tussock,

DISCOVERY SPORT
eyes beady black against the purple-brown heather. throughout Scotlands parks and mountain ranges
It feels a profound moment, a primal, timeless pause providing (some) shelter and (marginal) warmth
in an age of 24-hour connectivity and Snapchatting for the walkers that pass. This one, while unlikely to
and whatever else it is the kids get up to nowadays. gain many AA stars, is veritably boutique by bothy
We sit in silence for a couple of moments hare standards. Theres a picnic table outside; a box of
watching humans, humans watching hare and teabags and a couple of benches inside. The only
then Justin clears his throat. Told you I shouldve thing missing, in fact, is a cupboard of good Scotch
brought my gun, he says. Pretty sure hes joking. and a library. And then, at 11pm, the frewood runs
My trigger-happy colleague raises an important out. The temperature outside is at -5C and still
Silly hat not standard point. I hadnt really considered the necessity of, dropping. I realise my 10 festival-spec sleeping bag
in Discovery Sport.
Thankfully yknow, eating out here. Well, you always assume is woefully unft for Cairngorm duty, and decide,
therell be a convenience store within walking shiveringly, to make the two-hour trek back down
distance, dont you? But in the time it takes me to the mountain in search of a warm bed for the night.
fddle with the Discovery Sports automatic tailgate
and somehow get my arm trapped in a roll mat, Automatic tailgate in
Justin has started a blaze in the bothys freplace, a happy moment of
lit half a dozen kerosene lamps, and produced, intentional shutness
from somewhere, a couple of pouches of sausage
n beans. This is, thankfully, not a euphemism.
The bothy (a traditional Scottish word meaning,
of course, like a both) warms up quickly, a rugged
little survival capsule in a cold Scottish night.
Bothies, to the uninitiated, are wee huts dotted

DISCOVERY SPORT
FYI. Taking the

shortest route isnt
always quickest
Looks familiar? The

infotainment system
in our car was the
top-spec system as
shared with the RR. It
isnt great. And nor is
the lesser system. Weve
already tried it and the
sluggish touchscreen
still feels a generation
behind the best of the
German set-ups
If in doubt, foor it.
Probably not Land
Rovers motto
I K NOW TH E VAST M AJ O R ITY

OF D IS C O SP ORTS W IL L ON LY
OF F-R OAD O N G R AS SY V E R GE S
1 08 DECEMBER 2014 J TOPGEAR.COM
Wilderness is great an all, but central heatings
better. Justin, protected from the chill by a vast
coat and equally vast beard, chooses to embrace
his inner Shackleton and stick it out in the bothy
Winding up the track (again) at dawn the next
day, its clear the night was a cold one. Frost is
painted thick over the mountains, streams frozen
solid across the path. I try to fgure a plan of action
if I encounter a deep-frozen, perished husk of a
photographer in the bothy (remove memory cards
from camera, leave for next walkers to deal with?).
But I arrive at Chez Leighton to discover Justin
taking a bracing dip in the icy river outside the
bothy, emitting a range of falsetto sounds as a herd
of red deer watch on inquisitively. Some of us are
built for the wild. Some of us are not.
Bothy swept, spare sachet of sausage n beans
hung by the fre for the next travellers to pass this
way, we head down the mountain on a track that
makes the mornings approach route look like the
M25. Knee-deep bogs, one-in-one slick-mud slopes,
razor-edged rock crawls. The little Land Rover
manages the lot with something resembling disdain.
Ive always been wary of Of-Road Enthusiasts
(you know the sort: wellies, winches, over-confdent
handshakes) and their obsession with overhangs,
Dont worry. Youll
but the Disco Sport proves they might just have a want to give up
point. The Sport has an almost implausible ability before the car will...
to haul itself in and out of steep divots without
grounding either nose or tail. Arguably as much as
clever 4WD gubbinry or knobbly tyres, its overhangs
that dictate where, exactly, you can stick your 4x4,
and where you cant. Shoving the Disco Sports
wheels to its very corners isnt only good news for
interior space, but for mud-plugging too.
On the subject of clever 4WD gubbinry, yes, the
Discovery Sport has it. Though youll soon be able to
buy a FWD version, ours is a proper all-paw: a Haldex
centre diferential and LRs full range of traction-
Disco Sport interior.
snifng software. OK, its not quite going to get you Does what you need
everywhere a Defender might reach, but itll come it to do. No frills
pretty damn close. Each time I think the little Disco
has been fnally defeated by a particularly slippery
rock climb or slick mud slope, somehow it fnagles a
little more grip from one of its wheels, nibbling up
the hill with the dogged resistance of a pack-pony.
I know the vast, vast majority of Discovery Sports
will attempt of-roading no more tricky than a
brushed-gravel car park or grassy verge, and thus
you could accuse it of being over-engineered for
duty. But heres the point. Everything you buy at
least, everything you buy that doesnt shatter within
a year of purchase is over-engineered for duty.
Thats the point in engineering. Skyscrapers are
engineered to withstand signifcantly more than the
forces theyre likely to encounter in the course of
their skyscraping lifetime. If they didnt, they might
just fall down in the event of, yknow, a nasty storm,
or a fat lad getting in the wrong lift. So dont get
upset about the Discovery Sport being designed to
withstand rather more than its likely to encounter in
the normal course of events. Itd only be a bad thing
if it came at the detriment of other abilities, and in
this case at least it doesnt. Back onto the tarmac,
and the Disco proves itself as utterly competent on
road as it is of. Better than competent, in fact. It
LAND ROVER
DISCOVERY SPORT
2.2 TD4 HSE LUX
Engine: 2.2-litre
4cyl turbodiesel,
187bhp @ 3500rpm,
310lb ft @ 1750rpm
Performance:
062mph in 10.4secs,
117mph max
Transmission: 9spd
auto, 4WD
Economy: 46.3mpg,
162g/km CO2
Weight: 1854kg
W I T H T HE N EW
E N G I N E , I T C O U LD
HI T AL L PARTS O F
T H E S U V BR I EF
Newest LR launches
with the companys
familiar 2.2 TD
DISCOVERY SPORT
Disco Sport moves

from grubby bothy to
superstar hotel
Probably the frst

(and last) time the
doorman at The
George Hotel is loaded
up with sleeping mats,
sleeping bags and
hurricane lamps. Well,
what else do you expect
when TG and a flthy
Discovery Sport turn
Disco Sport paintwork up on your doorstep?
matched the sky. Also
available in peat and mud
manages that Range Rover trick of feeling somehow engine range with its shiny new SUV, but it seems German rivals give you equal opportunity to spec
more organic than the oft-clunky German Jaguar won that particular internal wrangle for your small 4x4 into big limo price territory, but still:
competition, comfortable companion for a long- its XE saloon. Were told Land Rover dealers are a budget family runabout this is not.
distance cruise but taut enough to enjoy being already taking orders for Ingenium-engined All of which might make us sound a little
punted through a few corners. The steering is sharp, Discovery Sports: until weve tested the new lukewarm on the Disco Sport. But truly, Im rather
theres no tall-car wallow. The Disco Sport, in fact, engines to see if they live up to their promise, we taken by it. Optioned wisely, with the new Ingenium
feels very much slightly-bigger-brother to the cant tell you whether thats a smart move, but we diesel, this will be, I suspect, a rather lovely thing:
Evoque unsurprising, really, as it shares much suspect its worth hanging on. At least the optional an SUV that hits all parts of the SUV brief, thats as
of its skeleton with the littlest Range Rover. 9spd ZF auto box the Discovery Sport gets a 6spd comfortable of-road as on. A car to spirit you far
And its launch engine. The Discovery Sport manual as standard remains beyond reproach. from the beaten track, to the corners of Britain that
launches with just one powertrain option (in the Unlike its allegedly top-spec infotainment system, prove plenty of Britain is still empty.
UK, at least): Land Rovers familiar 2.2-litre borrowed wholesale from the current Range Rover We roll into Edinburgh with night falling all
turbodiesel four-pot. It is, as sensible diesel engines and looking decidedly last-gen against the latest, the trafc and noise and shortbread faintly shocking
go, largely inofensive, a pleasing slug of mid-range cleverest oferings from that pesky Teutonic trio. after the grand emptiness of the Cairngorms and
torque propelling the DS along at a decent lick. But, Were told the baser infotainment set-up boasts toddle to a muddy stop in front of a posh city-centre
compared to Germanys best, the diesel is chuntery swisher graphics. Go fgure. hotel. An immaculately pressed doorman tartan
when started up in the cold, while vital statistics Its a reminder that potential Disco Sport owners kilt and all scurries over to help with our luggage.
of 44.8mpg and 166g/km of CO2 arent going to set should tread safe with the options list. Because it I open the Sports boot to apologetically
Al Gore on his patented Happy Dance. can get very expensive, very quickly. Prices for the reveal a cacophony of muddy sleeping bags,
Salvation is close at hand. Later this year, the 4WD Discovery Sport start at a smidge over 32k camp stoves and gas lamps, all infused with the
Discovery Sport will receive JLRs new swathe of (the soon-to-arrive FWD version will be a little unmistakable odour of kerosene and animal
modular engines, dubbed Ingenium. This will bring cheaper), which is pretty mid-table money for a dung. The doorman, all credit to him, doesnt
with it a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that Land Rover smart SUV with proper of-road ability. But the car so much as finch. Load me up, sir, he grins,
reckons should stick it to BMW, Audi and Merc in you see on these pages groans under an all-in price holding out an arm. Dye have a reservation?
both the performance and economy stakes. A pity tag of ready for this? 48,000. You could build a Everywheres completely full right now
Land Rover couldnt have launched its shiny new luxury bothy for less. Of course, Land Rovers Not everywhere, Nige. Not everywhere.

EAGLE SPEEDSTER
WORDS: TOM FORD / PICTURES: JAMIE LIPMAN
It may not be frst on your list

for million-dollar supercars,
but drive it, and the Eagle
Speedster becomes an
almost religious experience...
ow-slung doesnt really cover it. Im sitting
L
in a car where the door tops barely crest my
knees when Im standing, and its a good job
theres no roof, because the windscreen
header rail ends somewhere at eye level,
even if Im slumped with extreme prejudice
into the seats. In front of me is a gorgeous, triple-spoked
wheel positioned almost vertically, the slim wooden rim
tactile and comforting. Six inches in front of that are
two large, round dials, glowing softly in the darkness a
counterpoint to the neon blaze of Miamis urban cityscape.
The nose is less a bonnet and more a prow: eager, immense
and beautiful in a rich dark blue. As the lights change, I dip
the clutch, engage frst, rev the straight-six slightly more
than necessary and allow the 4.7-litre engine its head in the
frst three gears. Response is instant. The nose rises slightly,
the rear tyres squirm with happy compliance and the vintage
Jaguar E-type launches like the proverbial scalded cat.
And yet a lot of what follows doesnt make sense. No old
E-type that Ive ever driven rides the vagaries of a modern
road like this compliant and controlled, even through
potholes and strange American cambers, of which there are many.
No classic steers with such accuracy and fuency, without the
pause-and-efect cadence of age. Old cars dont tend to want to
brake so straight, true and hard. No period gearbox fnds its way so
accurately, without the need to double the clutch on downchanges.
And yet this car doesnt feel new. Its not a resto-mod, with modernity
hovering obviously under the surface. The gearbox is long, and still
requires you to be positive. I can hear and feel carbs. Theres still
the character of the old, but with a not-so-gentle push towards what
can only be described as optimisation. Its like the best E-type youve
For all those under the ever driven. Except a little better. Which as it turns out - it is.
age of 21: this is what an This is the Jaguar E-type Speedster by Eagle. A company that
engine should look like
TopGear likes very much. And it is perhaps the fnest interpretation of
the character of old with the usability of new that I have ever come
across. Getting to drive it was serendipity of the highest order a
friend of a friend knew that Eagle man Paul Brace was delivering a car
to a wealthy collector at the same time I happened to be in Miami. A
couple of calls, and Paul informed me that the owner a man of some
serious taste and even more crucial trust would be happy for me
to drive his car. A car he hadnt even driven yet. Did I mention trust?
In this specifcation, this car is entirely bespoke. It will be one of six,
none of which will be the same, and would cost north of one million
dollars. Paul turned out to be rather more than just a delivery driver,
too. He is actually responsible for the concept, design and production
of the Speedster series. On which point, Ive decided hes actually
some sort of sublime genius. Albeit one who spends far too much time
obsessing over perfect detail to possibly have a life outside of this car.
And so to a bit of explanation. The Eagle obviously hits all the right
notes in terms of being an E-type. And yet, if you parked both together,
the Eagle is an odd, kind of a rolling concept of the E, the car that
people might remember the E-type to look like through the rosy tint
of memory. Lower, smoother, slicker. Jaguar originally produced the
Roadster, Coupe and 2+2, and the Speedsters something else again
obviously an E, equally as obviously a very special iteration.
It is, however, actually an original Series I Jaguar E-type.
Although with the amount of work Eagle and Paul has put into it,
Horrid modern stereo there remains an argument for the entire Speedster to be considered
could be easily tucked
away. Otherwise sublime
bespoke. Briefy and I do mean briefy the major changes amount
to dedicated all-aluminium bodywork that does without any weather
protection, a chopped and raked screen with hidden A-pillars, wider
arches to cover the infated track and wider wheels, de-seamed and
generally cleaned-up shell, and the pair of centrally mounted exhaust
pipes frenched tidily albeit subtly into the bottom of the bootfoor.
The bodywork itself runs into the interior with an extended rear
deck that wraps slightly around the seats, a thoroughly reworked
waterfall centre console whose sheet metal oozes around the door
tops, a handbrake hidden in the centre console and deeper sills and
a lower seating position that add to the decidedly burly appearance.
Even the badges are fush-ftted. Its all about the detail that must
cost Paul his social life. In fact, the only thing I couldnt bear is
the awful modern stereo in the middle of the dash an item Id
be happy to stash somewhere out of sight if this were my car.
The motor itself is enlarged from 4.2 litres to 4.7, an all-aluminium
inline six with twin cams and big valves. It produces 310bhp at just
under 5,000rpm, and 340lb ft at 3,600, driven through the rear wheels
via a fve-speed aluminium manual gearbox of Eagles design. Theres
even an aluminium Power Lock diferential to keep the rear wheels
syncopated. So the drivetrain, like the bodywork, production and
materials, is authentic, yet improved. The suspension consists of
independent wishbones with very obviously modern adjustable
damping (I doubt any period dampers could provide this kind of
ride and control with the Eagles decidedly roller-skate stance), and
the brakes are 315mm vented discs at the front (280mm at the rear)
gripped by four-piston calipers with servo assistance. Like I said,
this thing stops as well as it goes.
Its interesting driving this car on well set-up carburettors.
Eagle does ofer a fuel-injected arrangement, but Paul reckons

EAGLE SPEEDSTER
ITS LIKE THE BEST E-TYPE YOUVE

EVER DRIVEN. EXCEPT BETTER
There is no roof. Mind
you, live in Miami, and
you dont need one
EAGLE SPEEDSTER
Flared arches, thorough

modifcation. Except
you wouldnt know it
well set-up carbs make for a more authentic experience. And hes right;
Carbs. On a big, healthy theres instant reaction to the throttle, a crash of induction and then
straight-six. Almost
brings a tear to the eye delicious, mechanical roar. No metering, or waiting. Just air and fuel JAGUAR E-TYPE
cycloned into a nutritious mix and sucked into a cylinder. Its also physically SPEEDSTER BY EAGLE
quick, not just immediately responsive: the gearing doesnt feel especially Price: $1 million +
short, and it has over 300bhp, but more pertinently sumptuous torque and a Engine: 4.7-litre
weight of just over a tonne. Eagle claims 062mph in under fve seconds straight 6cyl,
and 160mph-plus and it feels easily capable of that. Although at the cars 310bhp @ 4800rpm,
top speed, I would suggest ducking under the screen, unless you want bees 340lb ft @ 3600rpm
Performance:
tattooed permanently onto your forehead.
062mph in 4.9secs,
The best part is that the Speedster melds all of the changes into a delicious,
160+mph max
immersive experience. Its a treat to drive even moderately quickly you Transmission: 5spd
really do feel like you have to drive it rather than just point it in a direction manual, RWD
and let the computer digitise a vector, you feel the surface of the road through Economy: N/A
the tyres and that lithe steering wheel, the textures, the sensations. The ride Weight: 1008kg
Sorted for Es and whizz... is benign, the body control exemplary and the noise makes you want to go and
do terrible things at a racetrack, or fnd tunnels for no reason at all.
ORGINAL E-TYPE Yes, the chopped screen is low for me at 6ft tall, and, if you really fing it,
Depends on age, but there are few get-out-of-jail-free cards, but, get it right, and this is a car that
150k can secure you doesnt feel like a car so much as a companion. Its also possibly the most
a decent E, with prices
rising exponentially attention-grabbing car in Miami. Drive an Aventador or a Ferrari around here,
and youll get a cursory glance drive the Eagle, and you become instantly
JAG LIGHTWEIGHT famous and universally adored. It doesnt present an aggressive tone, making
A series of 6 authentic you feel special, but not at anyones expense or ego. Its essentially the worlds
but new Lightweight most incredible automotive humblebrag. It also smells right. Its an oft-
Es built by Jaguar: in
excess of 1 million overlooked sensory input in modern cars, but roaring through the steamy
Floridian night with the smell of hot oil and petrol difusing through the
EAGLE LOW DRAG bonnet louvres lifts the experience to something transcendental.
Possibly the prettiest Thats not overstating, by the way. You may not love older cars, and you
grand tourer available, may not like the idea of so much money being lavished on one car. But if
the Eagle Low Drag is
yours for just 695k youre reading this magazine, then that means youll get the idea of the Eagle.
Youll understand. Youll know when something simply feels right. When the
EAGLE E-TYPE
levels of technology are sympathetic to the design, the improvements
Either roadster or signifcant but subtle. A car you drive for the sheer hell of it, get up early for,
coupe available with possibly just sit and look at. When you get out of something wishing that you
myriad upgrades for a
snip at around 500k really could own it, keep it forever and hand it down to your kids. Its not quite
a religious experience, but it comes damn close.

MAGNUS WALKER
Porsche restorer, clothing designer, location scout...

meet the Yorkshire lad turned LA hipster
WORDS & PICTURES:

MARK RICCIONI
His beanie hat hoards a mass of dreadlocks;
his beard is a mixture of silver and blonde
hairs. Magnus Walker is not what youd
call a typical-looking Porsche enthusiast.
Sit him outside Kings Cross, and youd
be excused for handing him your spare
change. Yet the self-proclaimed Urban
Outlaw has shot to fame as one of the
worlds most prolifc Porsche collectors One of Magnuss
and something of an underground hero Porsches. In the
for anti-establishment tuning of vintage rain. A rare sight
Porsche products. So how exactly does
a scrufy lad from Shefeld wind up
nestled in Los Angeles as an afcionado
of Stuttgarts fnest?
The story begins back in 1977. England
was an exciting place to be as a young un
the Sex Pistols kicked of the punk rock
movement, and a little flm called Star Wars
was about to spawn a whole generation of
geeks. But, for Magnus, aged 10 years old,
1977 signalled a very diferent kind of
obsession. It was the Earls Court motor
show, he explains in his strange amalgam
of US twang and Yorkshire vowels. I
travelled there with my dad, and as we
reached the Porsche stand, I laid eyes on a
911 painted in Martini red and blue stripes.
The engine plaque read turbo, the spoiler
was as tall as my head. I knew right then
the Porsche 911 was my dream car.
Magnus was hooked. In between
scrawling 911 shapes on any piece of paper
he could fnd, he wrote a letter to Porsche
HQ asking for a job solid ambition for a
10-year-old northerner. To his surprise,
they replied, thanking him for the interest
and suggesting he establish contact again
in a few years time. Sure enough, this
tentative contact engaged a little thing
Magnus describes as Porsche passion.
Unfortunately for Walker, Shefeld in
the early Eighties wasnt exactly the place
where dreams came true. By 1982 hed
dropped out of school with two O-levels
to his name and no real education. About
this time he also discovered drink and Born in Shefeld, Aged 15, dropped out of
England school with two O-levels
heavy metal music two hobbies not
MAGNUS
HISTORYOOF
exactly renowned for sparkling future

prospects. Undeterred, Magnus 1967 1977 1982 1986 1992
First laid eyes on Left Shefeld to attend a Bought his frst Porsche 911 for
118 FEBRUARY 2015 J TOPGEAR.COM a Porsche Turbo summer camp in Detroit, USA $7,500 from the Pomona Swap Meet
MAGNUS WALKER
Explain again why the statement

beard and beanie hat didnt
go down well in Halifax...
bummed around on the dole making wasnt based in Detroit instead taking
money exclusively to fund these new refuge 30 miles north at the summer
hobbies. Cut your hair and get a proper camp. Minor hiccup aside, hed made it to
job, he was constantly told. By the age America. Working on the camp was never
of 17, it was beginning to sink in, so, sure his long-term plan, and within 12 months
enough, he decided to get a proper job. hed hopped back on that same bus and
The haircut would have to wait. travelled 2,000 miles west to Los Angeles.
A natural draw to US culture would I woke up after that bus ride on a park
prove prophetic. The American dream bench at 6am with the LAPD telling me I
fascinated Magnus, where classic couldnt sleep there, he remembers. It
Sheffield in the early Eighties wasnt

a place where dreams came true
contemporary American TV shows like wasnt the best start to my American
Starsky and Hutch made the USA look like a dream, so I grabbed my bag and headed
haven of fast cars, fast women and serious into Hollywood, looking for work.
facial hair. Shefeld, on the other hand, did Within three days, the long-haired Brit
not. With no signifcant education, no real had an epiphany. Its a funny story I
job and no reason to stay, why not try his bought a pair of PVC alligator pants for $10.
luck in the States? I joined a thing called They didnt ft me, so I grabbed a sewing
Camp America where kids are sent to the kit and made them ft. I travelled to a punk
States in return for working on a summer rock shop where the owner, a band member
camp. By some miracle, I got accepted [its of Faster Pussycat, took a shine to em. He
Each detail is perfect
simply put, these worth noting Magnus was a keen cross- asked me where I got them from. I dont
cars are works of art country runner and not just a booze- know why, but I told him England and
swigging metalhead]. So, in 1986, I packed asked if he wanted to buy them! Sure, he
my bag and hopped on a fight to New York, said. How much? Looking to make a quick
Purchased a warehouse Sold all non-Porsche followed by a 600-mile bus ride to Detroit. buck, I hit him at $25. Without hesitation,
in LAs Art District vehicles in his ownership
Detroit was gritty, rough around the he told me hed take eight pairs. I ran as fast
edges and home to Americas automotive as I could to that market selling the PVC
2001 2002 2004 2012 industry. It ticked all the boxes, but Magnus pants and made more money in that one
Joined Porsche Owners Released Urban Outlaw,

Club. Did frst track day directed by Tamir Moscovici TOPGEAR.COM J FEBRUARY 2015 1 19
MAGNUS WALKER
Above: a selection of
Magnus Walkers classic
and fettled Porsches in
his workshop-cum-house
in Los Angeles
Below: inspired by Evel
Knievel a boyhood hero
transaction than a week in Shefeld. This underground cachet. Not your average
place was beginning to make sense. trailer queens used and abused and subtly Amazing how LA
Over the next years, Magnus established modifed to suit, they were often described can look like the
UK on a dreary day
a business buying cheap, soulless clothing as hot rod streetable racecars. With
and personalising it before punting it on integrated indicators, bonnet louvres and
at a stall in Venice Beach. Hed joined the wider wheels wrapped in slick tyres from
fashion industry without even trying, and the outside these looked like a 911 by shape,
now there was money for sex, drugs and but each one was chock full of Magnus
rock n roll. By the early Nineties, the Walker character. The red, white and blue
stall had evolved into a brand nicknamed colours seen on car 277? A friendly nod to
Serious Clothing, now being wholesaled his childhood hero, Evel Knievel.
in hundreds of shops and worn by stars The 911 styling was never intended to
including Madonna and Alice Cooper. bring him fame. Aside from a small blog
Serious Clothing had its own style, on the forum Pelican Parts, Magnus kept
adds Magnus. We were shifting a ton of the collection sheltered at his workshop
merch, renting a house and a workshop to for his own enjoyment. But in 2012, a
keep it going. One day it hit me why am flm director named Tamir Moscovici
I paying for two peoples mortgages? Why approached him, fed up with directing
dont we get our own place? In 2000 my drink commercials and determined to
wife found a 24,000sq ft warehouse we now do something more edgy. He, like Magnus,
call home. It was in an undesirable place, was a Porsche guy, and instantly the pair
pretty beat up, and people called us crazy. gelled. Tamir proposed the idea of a short
But we had this gut feeling that everything YouTube flm and, ever the optimist,
would be OK, so we ran with it. Magnus replied with: Whats the worst
Magnus and some
With living accommodation upstairs bloke with an that could happen? Four days of flming
and a workshop below, it wasnt entirely enormous chin later, the 32-minute documentary Urban
conventional, but it worked. Then, in 2011, Outlaw had been created and was later
after an LA Times feature on the property, shown at Sundance, to rave reviews.
Magnus received a phone call from a Things blew up after that, explains
company wanting to rent the place for a Magnus. It opened up my collection to Stuttgart for a factory tour. Opening
music video. He looked at his wife, Karen, to the whole world. Within two weeks, I that letter reinforced my love for Porsche,
asked Whats the worst that could had a phone call from Jay Leno to be on his he adds. Being a Porsche guy is about
happen?, and 22 hours later established Garage (Lenos car-based show). My emails loyalty and the journey. For Porsche to
a flm location business by pure chance. exploded, my phone never stopped, it was reach out 35 years later reinforced that
It was like the PVC pants story 15 years a new chapter opening up in my life. brand value. Ive been fortunate to build
earlier a lucky break which we turned A month after the flms launch, Magnus a working relationship with the brand I
into a new business venture. noticed a letter at his workshop stamped strove so hard to be a part of. Ive been
But how does this translate into the with the Porsche logo. Unbeknown to lucky, and I dont know what the future will
Porsche collection? Back in 1992, Magnus Magnus or Tamir, Porsche had watched the bring. But one thing will always remain
realised that long-held dream and bought flm. Whats more, they loved it, and they Porsche passion. It brought me this far, and
his frst Porsche, a 1974 911, which soon loved him so much so they few him across Im sure it will continue to take me further.
resulted in countless speeding fnes and
even being pulled over at gunpoint. A
change was, inevitably, needed. Fast-
forward to 2002 with both businesses
ticking over, the bearded speed freak joined
the Porsche Owners Club where he also
drove his frst track day. He was pretty
handy, frst obtaining his Clubsport licence Each car is chock full of
Magnus Walker character
and then instructing other owners. I was
doing nearly 50 track days a year, and the
costs were getting crazy, he explains.
The more serious I took it, the less fun
it became. So in the mid 2000s, I sold
every car I owned that wasnt a Porsche
and focused my time (and money)
on obtaining the ultimate early 911
collection to fulfl my childhood dream.
As the collection continued to grow,
Magnus soon found his cars in the
media spotlight by dint of being slightly
diferent. Having spent his entire adult
life personalising clothing, Magnus wasnt
about to conform to the unwritten rules
of Porsche restoration, and the 911s in
his burgeoning garage gained a certain
TOPGEAR.COM J DECEMBER 2013 121

JAG F-TYPE AWD

ts not a salt fat; its an alkali pan.
I A thin crust of minerals, mud,

clay and other sediments laid
down by the creep of gentle
geological processes. Over tens of thousands
of years, the drift of irregular food water,
deposit of silts and sun-baked evaporation
have built up hardened layers, microscopically
thin, to the point where they can withstand
enormous pressures. As a road-building
technique, its completely hopeless.
Funny, then, that a place where
conventional, human-measured time has
so little meaning, where the seconds seem
to elongate and fatten in the crushing heat,
will soon play host to one of the fastest events
ever to play out on the Earths surface.
This is Hakskeen Pan in the Northern
Cape region of South Africa. The nearest
town big enough to have a doctors surgery
is over 150 miles away. Or at least it was.
This top-left, next-stop Namibia, corner
of South Africa is now getting services.
Communications masts have been built,
schools have improved, water pipes have been
installed and Rietfontein now has a nurse.
This has happened because of Bloodhound.
Much else around here has as well.
Unemployment used to hover around the 95
per cent mark, before 400 or so local people
were ofered work clearing every single stone,
rock, weed, imperfection and, yes, meteorite
from the Pan. In total, its thought 15,800
tonnes of material have been gathered. By
hand. We see them out there with dustpans
and brooms, putting the fnishing touches to
24 million square metres of cleared ground.
Its taken them more than three years.
So thanks to a team of British record
breakers, things are now moving at Hakskeen,
including Justin and I, at a stately 50mph,
managing to get lost in an open space.

JAG F-TYPE AWD
WERE TRYING
In our defence, this is easy when, wherever
you turn, youre surrounded by the heavy
shimmer of heat haze. Were relying on the
satnav to tell us in which direction were pointed,
but this is a frightening landscape: brutal, silent, TO FIND A SPOT
TO DO A DONUT...
patient and heavy with heat. Open a door, and
30 minutes of the air-conditionings hard work
vanishes in a lung-searing gasp.
All were trying to do is fnd a spot to do a
donut. Yep, in a place this ancient, on a surface
shaped by the fow of water and picked clean by
OBEYING OUR
hand, TopGear is obeying its own base instinct.
There is a reason. The car in question is the new
Jaguar F-Type R AWD, and there cant be many
BASE INSTINCT
better places on Earth to check its four-wheel- bulge, and the side vents are apparently new,
Fence posts stretch
into the distance. drive credentials than a dry mud desert where the but the most obvious change is the addition of
Totally hypnotic only thing to hit is a slow-moving photographer. a (now dust-covered) AWD badge on the Jags
Finding somewhere where we can disable rump. This year the F-Type range will leap from
the traction control and go to work isnt quite as six to 14 models, and besides 4WD versions, that
straightforward as youd imagine. If we rip up the quaint old in-car lever that we all thought now
surface along the track where Bloodhound will defunct the manual box will also be available.
run, well undo millennia of natures good work. This ones an eight-speed auto, still in charge
Thats a strip 22km long and 500 metres wide. of marshalling the supercharged V8s combined
Flanking that are two 300-metre wide strips for forces of 542bhp and 501lb ft. But now, instead
use by support vehicles, a so-called safety zone of them all being directed at the hard-pushed
although if Bloodhound starts running of course, rear axle, they can be diverted to the front as
300 metres of open safety zone isnt going to do well. So when you cut loose on the loose (so to
diddly-squat. Come to think of it, at 1,000mph, speak), this is what happens
the whole 22km run isnt exactly going to take Primarily, the photographer gets covered in
long. About 90 seconds from wheels roll to wheels dust. Prior to that, in the split second after you foor
stop, if the calculations are right. A minute and the throttle, you feel the torque pile into the rear
a half to do 13 miles. wheels, but before it can have any efect other than
North of the old causeway that used to a slight rearward shift in weight balance, the fronts
bisect Hakskeen and of to the east, we fnd the are playing their part, stabilising and balancing the
promised land it measures about nine million car. Up to 100 per cent of the torque can be sent to
square metres, so we have a bit of space to play either axle if needs be, and so on a surface of this
with. Externally, the bonnet has a bigger power consistency, it settles into a four-wheel drift, front
Look: a live demo

of 4WD in action.
Ollie did a lot of this

43? Is that hot enough
to fry an egg? Must
be. Anyone hungry?
Hakskeen: 22km
long by 10km wide,
and yet over its entire
area the surface
height varies by just
a few inches. All the
stones have been
cleared from 24
million square metres
by hand, boosting
local employment
and ensuring minimal
impact on the
surface. It wasnt just
small stones some
huge slabs needed
extracting, too
The control centre: two

shipping containers, a
mast and a generator
Plane vs car. Plane
gives car a fve-minute
headstart. Still wins
RICHARD NOBLE HAS

KINDLY VOLUNTEERED
Plug in the last orange TO DRIVE OUR F-TYPE
STRAIGHT AT THE
lead and the cones
hotline is now active
PLANE AT 150MPH
Sarah Covell busy with

her mobile. Secret
Candy Crush addiction?
wheels pointed slightly inward. I idly wonder This is a communications test. To that end, but the whole test is being done using a standard
how long Id have to drive in circles before I we have a fghter plane on hand. Its an Aero broadband speed test app on her phone. Hmm.
generated my own localised dust tornado. L-39 Albatros, an ex-Eastern bloc fghter trainer. In order to heighten the speed diferential
Only a few seconds, it turns out. Then visibility Its here to fy as fast and low as it can across the (and possibly give the plane a moving target),
deteriorates, a photographer starts spluttering and pan so they can check 3G and 4G signal strength Richard Noble has kindly volunteered to drive
we discover that even eons of compaction cant fend from the newly installed masts and the ability our F-Type straight at the plane at 150mph. Id
of the digging abilities of an angry Jaguar. to take live video feed of something moving very thought about that, but dismissed it as a mad
But the point is proved, even with the stability fast and send it around the globe in real time. idea thatd never get the go-ahead.
systems disabled, the Jaguar feels much more The plane is aiming to do 500mph, 20 feet of It gets the go-ahead. Whats more, they plan
manageable now. With that, we head back to base the ground. Ought to be worth watching. to do the crossover within 15 metres of everyone
a couple of stacked yellow shipping containers Sitting in the passenger seat of the Albatros standing out on the Pan, and, for good measure,
converted into a media hub and fed by a vast diesel is Sarah Covell; shes Bloodhounds head of IT. hover a helicopter above the lot, shooting straight
generator. Because while were here to arse around I assume shell be surrounded by measuring down. Im not, as a rule, a fearful man, but I admit
in the Jaguar, Bloodhound has real work to do. equipment, boxes that bleep and lights that fash; to taking a few steps backwards on that frst run

JAG F-TYPE AWD
JAGUAR
F-TYPE R AWD
Price: 91,650
Engine: 5.0-litre
supercharged V8,
542bhp @ 6500rpm,
501lb ft @ 3500rpm
Performance:
060mph in 3.9secs,
186mph max
Transmission: 8spd
auto, 4WD
Economy: 25.0mpg,
269g/km CO2
Weight: 1730kg
Its a publicity stunt, of course, but a damn fne could be small, and vice versa, the last kilometre
one. One that links Bloodhound to Jaguar, tells Dust, R badge and marker post only looks 100 metres of in the
a story, gets a result (20Mb per second download roadkill. Another mirror, when youre suddenly at the next, the haze
typical TG trip
speeds anywhere on the Pan, with more to come) seems to twist your perspective, to throw things
and has the visual impact to be picked up by TV out of focus. How is Andy Green going to cope
crews and become front-page news in several with this? Well, probably by being a trained fghter
South African newspapers the following day. pilot, while Im an easily confused layman.
Afterwards, the Pan empties, and were alone We leap from marker post to marker post, life
with the F-Type once more. I want to see whats rafts in the desert, the only hard points for us to
at the end, so we drive to the km zero post, turn cling to. Then, at 17km, just after Ive spotted
around and set of. What do you frame your a leafy forest growing in the middle of the Pan,
reference against? Out here theres they stop. We continue, treading even more
nothing. It diddles with my spatial carefully. You remember that bit in The Truman
awareness. Large piles of stones Show, where Jim Carreys little boat bumps

The team smashed the world
record for the most people you
JAG F-TYPE AWD can ft in an F-Type. Not really
invisibly into the edge of his world? I swear thats

whats going to happen to us. So, far from driving
fast, I drive ever slower, refusing to rely on my
I RESOLVE TO GET
sight, trusting the cars wheels to feed back
more relevant, trustworthy information. BACK TO BASE
IN A HURRY, BUT
Then theres a fence. I get out and check its
not another hallucination. It isnt. It leads us,
eventually, to an equally mystifying gate. Its
too weird, and I have a sudden burning urge to
be back at the shipping containers in the dunes. CHICKEN OUT
AT 135MPH
I resolve to get there in a hurry, but chicken out
at 135mph. Well, the surface under the car did
feel like it had melted. The pressure and shock
waves at high speeds fracture the surface and the
car starts to move around. Im thankful for the What I learn is that the F-Types claws have
added stability of 4WD, but astounded to think been trimmed. Its still pretty ferocious, but with
of the forces that 12 tonnes of machine moving at the extra weight and drivetrain losses, top end
supersonic speeds will transmit into the desert. acceleration isnt quite so unhinged, and through
It messes with my head so much, this corners the front end is keener, has more to do
compression and expansion of distance together and introduces a sense of balance to proceedings.
with the rippling air currents and utter, barren The steering isnt corrupted and theres actually
emptiness, that I need a hit of two-lane blacktop. a greater sense of connection to the road, and
So we leave Hakskeen and go for a drive. We what feels like a lower centre of gravity.
dont stop until we get to Johannesburg, 1,100km I admired Jag for making the F-Type such a hot
later. This was possibly excessive. Along the rod, but this is the one Id have, especially in the
way, we drive the Red Dune route through the UK. Out here, the big cat is a fsh out of water,
We took the F-Type on a whirlwind tour
of South Africa, which included an actual southern Kalahari, visit the Namibian border albeit a very famous one. Turns out pretty much
whirlwind that popped into existence and (where theres much hilarity from his colleagues everyone in South Africa saw the jet and Jag cross
routed itself straight over the Jaguar. Failed when the rotund chief immigration ofcer falls into swords on TV, and our car is a celebrity, recognised
to cart the coupe to another part of the the Jags drivers seat), sweep past other alkali pans wherever it goes. This can only bode well, because,
Kalahari, which would have been highly
inconvenient. And a bit Wizard of Oz
including Koopan and the next year, itll be back at Hakskeen, ftted
marvellously titled Potsepan and out with emergency kit and tasked with
discover actual, real corners on the chasing a rocket-powered, land-speed
way up to Kgalagadi nature reserve. car across a desert. Sorry, alkali pan.

When youre stretching the limits
of engineering to their breaking point,
theres only one team you can call...
WORDS: OLLIE MARRIAGE / PICTURES: JUSTIN LEIGHTON

BUILDING THE SSC
C
harlie Turner is sanding. Hes equipped
with an orbital sander and is bufng the
titanium skin of Bloodhounds upper
chassis. Hell be there a while, as its about
eight strides long and contains somewhere
in the region of 12,000 aerospace-grade
aluminium rivets, all of which need to be
bufed fush. Oh, and seeing as titanium is
the right stuf to keep Bloodhound from
fying apart when faced with some fairly
signifcant pressures, Charlie is having to
get his shoulders in on the act.
In case you were wondering, there
is only one Bloodhound. If Charlies sandpaper wears down to the point
that sander becomes angle grinder, theres going to be trouble. Meanwhile,
Ive been given an endoscope. Im going to perform a sigmoidoscopy on
the lower fuselage. Look it up. On second thoughts, dont.
In a moment of, um, bravery, the Bloodhound team has invited TG
to its Bristol HQ to help build the car. This is a massive privilege, not
least because Bloodhound is now in the middle of its key build phase.
We havent told anyone here that the last thing we constructed was a
Caterham that left our ofce without an engine or gearbox and with the
A wheel. Hands up who
remembers the one we wheelarches held on with Blu-Tack. Well do better this time, promise.
delivered in issue 245... Because Bloodhound is breaking boundaries, no one quite knows what
might happen when (OK, if) Andy Green hits 1,000mph at Hakskeen. The
parameters arent predictable. What this means is that things change
during the build process as the CAD, CFD and OCCT (Other Complicated
Computational Things) are amended. Small clusters of designers,
engineers and builders gather round the car with mugs of tea and sort
things out. This is engineering at its purest, and its wonderful to behold.
The reason Im currently wielding the endoscope is that theyve
decided the wrong-spec fttings have been used on this part of the
fuselage. Nuts and bolts need to be removed and replaced with rivets.
This isnt as straightforward as you might imagine, as the bolts have been
glued in place, and if the nuts fall loose inside the chassis, Bloodhound is
going to have a rattle. I dont want to be responsible for that, so I spend
the next 20 minutes trying to control the worm-like head of the endo-
probe. It might be small, but it has a life of its own and moves in a sinister
fashion, like an alien thats all set to burst out of John Hurts stomach.
Charlie is still sanding.
Unlike the Duke of for staring at complex fuel, but due to its Thirty minutes later, Tufty, Whippet and I (it takes more than a
Edinburgh, we resisted diagrams that we didnt volatility, only a very morning to earn a nickname) have probed, drilled, counter-sunk and
the urge to grafti our understand. This yellow small quantity of HTP otherwise made ready one single hole. Im handed the riveting gun:
names on Bloodhounds high-pressure tank is is allowed to be stored
Just squeeze the trigger, and wait for the pop, Whippet instructs.
chassis, instead settling designed to hold rocket on site at any time
I do as Im told, only my rivet doesnt look the same as all the others.
Wow, comes the comment, Ive put 12,000 rivets in the upper frame,
and Ive never seen one do that before. The centre section, instead of
Inside this complex carbon
THIS IS ENGINEERING
structure lies a big tank of
fuel for the jet engine
AT ITS PUREST, AND ITS

WONDERFUL TO BEHOLD
The jet engine that will reside
in Bloodhound. TG bufoons
told to stay away from it
Ollie asks to see the

contents of rocket
engineer Ed Fletchers
fask. Resists taking a
swig as it contains
highly indigestible
High Test Peroxide
(HTP). When the
rocket is ignited,
Bloodhound will burn
through 800 litres of
it in just 17 seconds
Bloodhound uses carbon-

ceramic disc brakes, but they
only operate below 200mph
TOPGEAR.COM J DECEMBER 2013 1 31

B L O O D H O U N D S S C 2 0 1 5 S C H E D U L E
F E B R U A R Y: Tr i a l a s s e m b l y o f k e y c o m p o n e n t s M A R C H : Te s t i n g t h e h y b r i d r o c k e t i n N o r w a y A P R I L : F i n a l f u l l
b o d y a s s e m b l y o f t h e c a r b e g i n s J U LY: C o m p l e t i o n o f t h e c a r b u i l d A U G U S T: 2 0 0 m p h r u n w a y t e s t s i n t h e
UK at the Aerohub at Newquay Cornwall Airport SEPTEMBER: Deploy to South Africa for the start of high-
s p e e d t e s t i n g O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R : S e t a n e w w o r l d l a n d - s p e e d r e c o r d a b o v e 7 6 3 m p h L AT E N O V E M B E R :
R e t u r n t o t h e U K t o s t r i p d o w n a n d s e r v i c e t h e c a r a h e a d o f 2 0 1 6 s c a m p a i g n t o r e a c h 1 , 0 0 0 m p h
PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING

IN THIS WAREHOUSE IS
PURE SCHOOLBOY FANTASY
Bloodhound engineers laugh
nervously. Usual reaction
when TopGear is around
Jaguar V8 meets 800-

litre rocket tank.
Creates much speed
Ollie Marriage up
to his elbows in
Bloodhound. Euch
wedging the rivet properly in place, has pulled all the way up and man. The team is very happy with the work hes done, so were permitted
through the outer sleeve. Im found something else to do. to have a go at sealing the strain gauges tiny sensors that will monitor
Charlie is still sanding. movement throughout the car. We mix sachets of purple goo and spread
Mark Robinson used to work in F1 (a lot of people here did, and those them onto the skin of the air intake.
that didnt seem to come from military or aerospace backgrounds). Hes Next stop is a yellow cabinet in the far corner. There we fnd Ed
in charge of placing 192 pressure sensors over Bloodhound to monitor Fletcher, the chap in charge of rocket fuel testing. High Test Peroxide is
airfow and the like oddly, while the car might be doing 1,000mph, the highly explosive. Bloodhound will have 800 litres on board. He gingerly
air nearest the body will only be moving at about 300mph. Mark hands removes a canister from a cabinet and lets us peak. It looks like water.
me a beautifully engineered pressure manifold, The tolerances are so Part of Eds job is to test all the materials Bloodhound is made of
precise that this costs 20,000, and the tubing is 510 a roll. He looks against the HTP to make sure they dont react. He shows me a video of
at me nervously. I put it down again, very gently. what happened when something did. New fabrics have had to be used in
Charlie is still sanding. Andy Greens suit as a result. He then takes us to a side room and creates a
Wherever you look in Bloodhounds warehouse, you fnd something rocket on the side bench. Pure oxygen is blown through a Perspex cylinder,
fascinating. The rear fn is being constructed in a jig bolted to the foor, ignited and then burns the Perspex as its fuel. Its pure schoolboy fantasy.
theres the wheel and tyre from an English Electric Lightning that will Pretty much everything in this unassuming warehouse is, in fact.
be used for the UK runway testing, an EJ200 jet engine lies around like an Everything you look at, from the Supacat 6x6 (nickname: Quiver) thatll
old photocopier, theres a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 recently delivered by carry the spare rockets to the wire-thin rivets that can somehow resist
Jaguar that will act as a fuel pump for the rocket and in a box on the foor 700kg of force, has a story attached. Today we got to help out on the UKs
lies the frst of the fnished machined wheels. I stroll around, distracted as most fascinating engineering project, and that means theres a part of
a puppy in a toilet-roll factory. My favourite are the Kevlar panels thatll Bloodhound that is forever TG, and we couldnt be prouder.
fank the cockpit and protect Andy in the event of a wheel
disintegration. Theyve recently been ballistics tested. A
9mm bullet fred from fve metres away failed to make an Andy Green with his
two-car garage. Pretty
impression. Not even a rocket-powered dart fully penetrated. ordinary stuf, really...
Charlie is still sanding. Has been for four hours now.
The bits of his face not covered by the mask have taken
on a metallic sheen. Hes halfway to being the tin
MINI COOPER S 5DR
CARS, LLAMAS
AND THE
ATACAMA
IN SEARCH OF OLD MINIS
IN THE CHILEAN DESERT
A small British hatch. The driest, wildest

place on Earth. What could go wrong?
WORDS: SAM PHILIP / PICTURES: MARK FAGELSON

MINI COOPER S 5DR
THIS LITTLE
COOPER IS ON
ITS WAY TO MEET
ITS ANCESTORS
It was around 2am
with a closing speed of some 150mph. True, a gentrifed little
Brit hatch might seem an oddball choice for the Chilean wilds, but
this little Cooper was to be the fnal piece in a strange, cross-
I frst noticed the continental story stretching back 50 years. This little Cooper
was, in fact, on its way to meet its ancestors. Well, hopefully.
We were heading to the site of one of the oddest chapters in
glowing crucifxes. British car-building history (and lets be honest: there have been
more than a few). In the Sixties, in a bid to stimulate the growth
of industry in Arica a wild coastal outpost fve days north of
Whipping north along the Pan-American highway in the dead of Santiago, tucked right up on the Peruvian border on the far side of
night, somewhere deep in the Atacama, they came looming from a hostile expanse of desert the Chilean government designated
the roadside black: eight foot high, luminous, lurid. Driving for 18 the town a free port, ofering massive tax breaks to anyone willing
hours straight tends to do odd things to the brain, but glowing to build cars there. So the Chileans called up the British Motor
crosses were, I confess, a new one. Slowing in preparation to Corporation, which had been rolling in the profts of its ground-
summon the Lord and recant my earthly sins, I realised with relief breaking, wildly successful Mini since 1959, and said, Fancy
that the crosses werent otherwordly apparitions, but rather the building some Minis out here? And BMC said, Sure, why not?
strangest of memorials: giant homemade crucifxes wrapped in Youve got plenty of steel, right? And the Chileans said, Ah, no.
refective bike tape. Some say it with fowers No steel in Arica, actually. But we could build em in fbreglass?
Still, if the aim of the lumi-fxes is to remind night-time drivers Which they did. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this didnt prove the
of their own mortality, it sure as hell works. During the thousand most successful business venture not least because Arica was so
miles wed travelled north from the capital Santiago, Id been far from Chiles major car markets that the cost of air-freighting
trying to fgure out how, exactly, quite so many motorists had down to Santiago for sale pretty much eradicated any proft
apparently managed to meet their fate on Chilean highways. After margin, which is perhaps a salutary lesson in not building your
all, theres not much in the way of plummeting drops or lethal, car factory in the middle of the desert. In just over a decade of
blind bends. Chiles roads tend very much towards the straight production, BMC built just a few thousand Minis in Arica (no
and featureless: even if you veered of the tarmac, youd likely one seems certain precisely how many), before quietly closing the
end up annoyingly sandy rather than wrapped round a lamp post. factory doors in the early Seventies. It wasnt, however, a totally
But in that utter desert darkness, amid the glowing crosses, the fruitless project. The fbreglass Minis were hailed for their
culprits became clear. Trucks. Lorries of varying vintage comprise rustproof bodywork not that rust was much of an issue in a
the vast bulk of Chiles rural road trafc, chugging their way up region with no rain or humidity and happy tendency not to ding
gentle inclines at barely walking pace. Unless you want to arrive in the event of a minor parking scuf. Unfortunately the fbreglass
at your intended destination some decades behind schedule, bodies, in the words of one contemporary, had a tendency to snap
eventually you have to overtake. And at this moment, every time, in half in the event of a major accident. This may help to explain
on even the apparently straightest of roads, another truck will rear why those few Minis that sprung forth from the Arica factory
up from behind an unseen dip in the landscape in the opposite were the only ones of the fve million-odd original Minis to be
direction, bearing down at unseemly speed, honking and fashing made of fbreglass in that cars fve-decade production history.
yet manifestly failing to slow down. Mistime a passing manoeuvre, Which makes them collectors items, of a sort. Ambitious but
and all thatll remain is your luminous crucifx. rubbish. A very TopGear sort of limited edition.
The Atacama requires a car ft for overtaking, and we had one: Hence our mission to pilot a new (defnitely not fbreglass)
the new Mini Cooper S fve-door. A fzzy little lump of turbod Mini from Santiago, 1,600 miles across the Atacama desert, to
Britishness with, mercifully, a more than healthy turn of pace Arica and hunt down an original fbreglass Mini when we get
when youre attempting to thread a needle between two lorries there. A simple plan, with just a few faws. One, the murderous
trucks. Two, no one had any idea whether any Arica Minis still
existed. And three, Chiles utter, extraordinary vastness.
CHILE IS BIG. BEYOND SANTIAGOS GREEN VALLEYS AND

into the Atacama, theres a town every hundred or so miles and,
in between, a mighty expanse of literally nothing at all: sand, rock,
mountain, more sand. If that makes the landscape sound dull, it
isnt. Chile is, for almost all of its vast length (it covers 38 degrees
of latitude, making it the longest northsouth country on the
planet) a masterwork of turn-it-up-to-11 geography: snow-capped
volcanoes standing four miles tall; great salt pans of cracked-white
crust; elegant, endless sandy dunes. Its mesmerising on the most
primal of levels, savage serenity rendered in a prehistoric palette.
The sheer scale doesnt half mess with your sense of
perspective. Even in daylight, the road north (yep, theres only
one) is so long and devoid of reference point, the heat-haze on the
road so disorienting, that you lose any comprehension of distance:
how far youve gone, how far you have to go. The Mini shouldnt,
by rights, be a good car for this sort of cross-country mission. The
old three-door Cooper S was, though unquestionably entertaining,
Heading into the a scrabbly, hard-sprung hot hatch, a car for B-roads, not arid
Valley of the Moon. One
small step for Mini... badlands. But the MkIII Mini especially in fve-door guise
exhibits a newfound and welcome maturity, the ability to absorb

big miles rather than start a scrap with every inch of tarmac.
And, thankfully, passable economy too. Gas stations dont come
around too often out here. You top up your tank when you can. ROUTE
And your water bottles. The Atacama is, with the arguable UP CHILE
exception of Antarctica, the driest place on Earth. Parts havent
seen rain in half a millennium. Its uninhabitable, almost
extraterrestrial. We crossed the aptly named Valley of the Moon,
a psychedelic, purple-tinged Dali concoction of sand and stone
upon which NASA tested its prototype Mars rovers. That
pretty much sums up northern Chile. But Mars, so far as we
know, boasts neither llamas nor famingos. Chile has both.
FINISH:
ARICA
FOR THERE WERE LLAMAS AND THERE WERE
famingos and, lo, they did not smell good. The next day, we
stumbled across a dozen llamas (a herd? A fock? A panorama?)
nibbling on salty, scrubby vegetation south of San Pedro de
Atacama, two miles up on the arid altiplano, giant volcanoes
fringing the horizon, the breeze whipping dust high into the air.
Parked downwind, it was apparent llamas do not take great pride
in personal hygiene. Then again, if I were wearing a giant, fufy
coat in 35C heat, I suspect I wouldnt smell too fragrant, either.
The biggest of the herd (rapidly christened Dalai, naturally) CALAMA
tilted his head towards the Mini, ofering a well-practised
harrumph, before nudging his harem west across the pan.
Sure, you think youre quite the lads about town, with your ANTOFAGASTA
air-conditioning and your cruise control, dont you? the
harrumph seemed to say. Well, youre not in Kensington any
more. Weve been here three million years, sonny, and well
Only the weirdest of be here in three million more. On yer bike. Apparently, some
animals survive in the people get strange visions at altitude. Glad Im not one of them.
Atacama. Flamingos, The famingos seemed less dismissive of the Mini, craning
llamas and, now, posh
little British hatchbacks. their long necks our way for a few seconds before dunking their
The llamas seemed heads back into the cool blue water of their salt lagoon. Come
unimpressed by the big- to think of it, famingos have a bit of the Mini about them, the
wheeled interloper
tarty pink show-ofs. They didnt, however, smell much fresher,
Road signs with town clustering in a sulphurous lagoon with the odour of a long-haul
names are a relative
rarity in Chile. Many jumbo cabin after a 12-hour fight. Flamingo eggs must be the
simply read Al Norte or eggiest eggs in the world. COPIAP
Al Sud. Theres no need
for anything else in a
country with virtually no THE POLICEMAN WHO STOPPED US NEAR THE
eastwest dimension. Bolivian border looked angry. Llama-angry. Big sunglasses,
big gun, big moustache. He motioned us to lower the window.
The Chilean landscape
majors on variations Documentos, he barked, rapping the roof of the Mini with a hefty
of brown: grey-brown, knuckle. I handed over the Minis papers, and the cop leafed
yellow-brown, white-
brown and, of course, through them for a couple of minutes in stony silence, no doubt
brown-brown debating which of my cavities to search for prime Bolivian cocaine. LA SERENA
He shook his head slowly and exhaled.
Farzan. Few-rouse, he pronounced, solemnly.
Farzan few-rouse? I asked, presuming this to be Spanish for
drop the trousers, boyo, and make it snappy. And then the cops
face broke out into a wide smile.
Farzan. Few-rouse! he repeated, banging the Mini with a fst.
Farzan few-rouse!
It clicked. Oh, Fast and Furious?
Si! he thumped the Minis sunroof so hard, I expected his
fst to go through. Nice car. Vin Diesel! Fast and Furious!
Beyond the ubiquitous trucks, the Chilean desert tends START:
towards the pickup and wagon end of the automotive spectrum, SANTIAGO
a sprawl of old Toyotas and Nissans addended by modern Chinese
fare of dubious styling. Amid such practicality, a Mini bedecked in
the full range of go-faster bits chin spoiler, fat alloys, the works
looks indeed like something from a Hollywood car chase.
WE KNEW THE DAKAR RALLY CARAVAN WAS

somewhere in the vicinity, running north across the desert from
Antofagasta to Iquique. But somewhere in the vicinity in Chilean
MINI COOPER S 5DR
No McDonalds drive-thru
for at least fve miles in
any direction. Wilderness
IN DEEPEST
NOWHERE, WE
WERE PASSED BY
A MINI DAKAR
Yes, we outpaced Minis
all-conquering Dakar
racer. Well, sort of

terms might well mean 200 miles away from the road, the other 42 Chevrolet, a pair of inter-war Fords, even a BMW Isetta. But no
side of a signifcant mountain range. So it came as something of a Arica Mini. No Mini of any kind. Sixteen hundred miles of desert
surprise when, pulled over at the roadside in the deepest nowhere, on a wild, extinct goose chase. Time to concede defeat.
we were passed by a Mini Dakar Countryman, Chilean fag across So youre looking for a Mini? A tanned gent with an American
its bonnet, chuntering along the highway between stages. We gave accent emerged from a barn across the road. Word gets around
chase Dakar competitors are limited to 120kph on public roads, quickly in Arica, it seems. Neighbours got one in his workshop.
or wed never have stood a chance and fnally caught the hulking Its not in mint condition, Im afraid. Follow me
racer on a particularly wild stretch of road. The driver and The gent a Chilean-Canadian petrolhead named Pier, it
navigator returned a massive thumbs-up, treating us to a friendly transpired hopped on a motorbike and went screaming of up the
game of cat and mouse until the carabineros waved them from the road. We scrambled after him, up a mountainside track and came
road and onto another arduous desert stage. Boris Galafuli and to a slithering halt on a farm overlooking Arica. And there, under
Filipe Palmeiro, thanks for being such utter gents, and letting us a dusty lean-to, it was: an original Mini, unmistakably fbreglass,
get a few photos. And only slightly running us of the road. unmistakably in a state of some disrepair. In fact, in a state well
west of disrepair and rather closer to non-existent. No interior
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT FINDING AN OLD CAR THAT to speak of, caked in at least a decade of greyish desert grime and
might or might not exist, in a city on the edge of a desert in the cobwebs. But, no question, an Arica Mini, its baby-blue fbreglass
middle of nowhere? In the fve days and 1,600 miles it took us to body as solid and, of course, rust-free as the day it left the factory
reach Arica, Id got no closer to fguring out how we might hunt just a few miles down the road. A suitably lo-f memento of a
down an original fbreglass Mini. Theres no Arica Mini owners strange little chapter in car-building history.
club, and even BMWs own spies in Chile had failed to locate an
Arica-built car, or even ascertain if any survive. Scientifc coves GAZING UPON THE OLD MINIS TINY, GRIMY FORM,
that we are, we started by simply trawling back and forth through two thoughts occur. One: what an extraordinary, timeless piece
the towns residential districts, where it soon became apparent of design the original Mini was. Two: I really, really wouldnt
that Arica has an awful lot of streets, and that attempting a want to drive one 1,600 miles across the Chilean desert.
toothcomb search would result in a) full madness and b) likely True, the new Mini may not boast the elegant simplicity
a lynching at the hands of suspicious locals. Knowing the old of its forebear, but consider this. This small, posh British car
CHILEBACKCOUNTRY.COM, RODRIGO VEGA, PIER LOMBARDI AND ERNESTO LOPEZ

Minis reputation for mechanical fortitude, we switched our a car designed for the boroughs of north London rather than
focus to local scrapyards, where it soon became apparent that the badlands of north Chile saw us across some of the wildest
Arica has a lot of scrapyards, and that attempting a toothcomb landscape on Earth, tackled gravel roads and dirt tracks and sand
search would result in a) tetanus and b) being devoured by the trails without incident. OK, a Defender or a Hilux may have coped
socking great birds of prey wheeling above. with the roughest stuf a little less shakily, but neither would have
Short on leads, we aimed for the location of the original Mini been half so adept at vanquishing trucks on the highway.
TOPGEAR WOULD LIKE TO THANK: FITO SANTA MARIA AT

factory, a block somewhere in the old industrial area by the In recent years, BMW has been at risk of undoing all its good
seafront. This was, surely, the oddest spot on the planet ever to early work with Mini, the Countryman, Paceman, Roadster and
have hosted Mini production. Perhaps the oddest spot to have Coupe hardly bolstering the cachet of the badge. But this fve-door
hosted car production of any kind. A few laps of said block revealed is, at last, a truly worthy addition to the Mini stable. It drives as
no Mini-ish clues of any kind, so we resorted to knocking on every sweetly as the three-door, theres room on board for a whole bunch
door, asking if anyone remembered the old factory, or happened to of camera equipment and the odd dusty hitch-hiker, and, best of
have spotted an old Mini recently. The frst fve guys we spoke to all, it almost defnitely wont snap in half in event of an accident.
looked at us as if wed asked to borrow their youngest daughters An export of which Britain can be properly proud, its a cracker.
for a spot of jelly-wrestling, but the sixth threw us a dusty bone. As is Chile itself. What a country: stupefying of scenery,
Sure, he said, the Mini factory was just there, behind that wall. friendly of people, gloriously deserted in every sense. It ofers
But if you want to fnd one of the old cars, youd best talk to this road-tripping at its purest: the freedom to drive to the very edge of
guy who lives out of town and has a lock-up of old cars; maybe hell civilisation and, should you so desire, beyond. If you do, remember
know. So we went tearing out of town to, eventually, a chain-link this: pack plenty of water, top up at every fuel station and stay
compound packed with weird old metal a Fifties Studebaker, a upwind of the llamas.
Beware the death-

trucks. Amped on
coca leaves, truckers
here drive all day and
night. They dont take
it slow, and defnitely
wont back out of
a potential head-
to-head collision.
Treat with respect.
Arica is one of the

driest spots on the
planet. I lived here
until I was ten before
moving to Venezuela.
Never saw it rain
once, one resident
told us. The frst
time we saw rain
there, we just
went outside and
danced in it...

MINI COOPER S 5DR
For sale: Arica-built

fbreglass Mini. One
careful owner...
ITS NOT IN...

MINT CONDITION,
IM AFRAID,
HE SAID
BMWs Isetta bubble-car.
Exactly what you expect
to fnd in wildest Chile
Old Arica Mini employs

unconventional outside of
car engine confguration

EDITED BY OLLIE MARRIAGE
TOPGEARS LONG-TERM CARS. TESTED AND VERIFIED
TEST OF THE MONTH
MERCEDES-BENZ GLA We wave goodbye to the off-road hatch TURN OVER
p146 p147 p148 p151

SEAT LEON CUPRA FORD KUGA RENAULT ZOE RANGE ROVER SPORT
A hot hatch arrives in the Garage. Order is restored Its the end of the road for the Kuga. Cue tears Can a country lad cope with an all-electric car? Time to meet the Garages newest recruit

M E RC E D E S - B E N Z G L A
Jack of all trades?

GOODBYE 2143cc, 4cyl turbodiesel, 4WD, 168bhp, 258lb ft 55.4mpg, 132g/km CO2 062mph in 8.1secs, 134mph 1535kg
30,030/32,105 Total mileage 7331 Driver Owen Norris Why its here Are crossovers workable family cars?
he GLA. A mini M-Class or saw a gap, and the response was so slow that
IN DETAIL GARAGE LOGBOOK
just a jacked-up A-Class? it felt borderline dangerous. That feeling of
T Over the past six months,
Ive come to the conclusion
safety evaporated instantly. Also annoying
was when I had the kids asleep in the back and
220 CDI SE 4MATIC
it is actually a bit of both. it lurched as I accelerated to join some trafc

On the face of it, its the sort of car people and the kids were woken up. Not great.
love to knock, but having lived with it, Ive Economy-wise, the gearbox always reverts
been pleasantly surprised with its ability. At to Eco mode at start, which helps, but 33.2
the base of it is a very solid hatchback. Small is still nowhere near Mercs claimed 55.4mpg
enough to sneak into town parking spaces combined fgure. Mind you, I do spend
but also stand out from the crowd with its 99 per cent of my time in town.
good looks and plush interior. Nothing went Having young twins, Ive a fair amount of
wrong or fell of, which is what youd expect stuf I need to take whenever we go out, and
from a Stuttgart product.
One of the major things Ill take away
our double buggy uses a lot of the bootspace.
This meant if we needed to go away or to a big
GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF
E Feels very G Parking and head-
from my time with the GLA is how safe it felt shop, I had a problem. The addition of a roof safe and well on collision alarms
ferrying my family about. The clever 4WD box helped, but its not ideal for a stress-free engineered. Add bing and bong when
system, which borrows bits and electronics Rear door aperture parking experience if theres no parent-and- winter tyres, and you are just driving
tricky for infant it becomes almost along. Annoying
from its big daddy, the M-Class, is defnitely manoeuvring child parking spot available. Ultimately, the
invincible
something to have. In the most slippery GLA just isnt big enough for my family. Its G Column stalk of
conditions, there wasnt even a hint of it Valet parking fail no bigger than an average hatchback. E Very surprising many uses maybe
means the blingy trim
losing grip. I tested it on the of-road course at The roof box does make it look a lot more of-road ability one too many
on the rear bumper
Mercedes-Benz World too. It did exceptionally has a crease in it now purposeful, however. But if you think about
E Fake plastic G Not really big
well, although I wouldve liked to have had the rivals in the jacked-up hatch market, the leather good for enough for all the
Winter tyres meant
a raised ride height to help prevent the the GLA was even BMW X1 and Audi Q3, the GLA wouldnt be kids spills gear my twins need
underside scraping on the rutted track. safer in tricky my choice ahead of the Audi. The Q3 rides
It wasnt all good, though. Careful planning conditions. Not that and drives better and sits higher too.
and accurate throttle control is required when it ever struggled on To answer the question Are crossovers
pulling out of junctions to get the 7spd DCT
normal rubber
workable family cars? Yes, if you have just one
MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH
gearbox to do what you want it to. There were child. But if you have more and want a small 0 0 0 8 2 6 0 33.2
occasions where I put my foot down when I Merc, why not try a B-Class 4MATIC? 1
Putting the seats
down is as easy
as pulling a strap
C I T RO E N C AC T U S
Honeymoon. Over
N I S SA N X-T R A I L
REPORT 2 1199cc, 3cyl turbo petrol, FWD, 108bhp, 151lb ft 60.1mpg, 107g/km CO2
Seat origami
062mph in 9.3secs, 117mph 1020kg 17,190/19,810 Total mileage 4596
Driver Paul Horrell Why its here Is the Cactus more than a quirky novelty?
ast month, I said I love this

IN DETAIL
he X-Trail comes as car, and in future reports Ill
T
standard with fve seats,
but for 750 you can
L be enumerating the many
reasons. As a magazine,
add an extra pair of weve heaped on it praise
chairs in the very rear. and an award, too. So now might be a salient
Unfolding these rear seats in a family moment to tackle its one aching faw, the
car traditionally resembles a particularly defect that makes itself felt on every journey.
devious Crystal Maze challenge, requiring The touchscreen system sounds like a
you to simultaneously pull, twist, fip and good idea, but its execution is dire. Quite
fold at least a dozen levers while swearing apart from some strange quirks in menu the next junction and what to do there, you
copiously, but the X-Trail keeps things design, its operation is laggy and crude. have to be in nav mode. I want a single
mercifully simple. When the seat is folded So its stupidly distracting. screen that concisely displays those two bits
fat, you simply pull its strap and the chair Sometimes, as your fngertip inevitably of info plus, say, mpg and ETA. Because that
lifts from the foor, clicking neatly into its wobbles in a moving car, it accepts an doesnt exist, you end up fipping between
upright position. To reverse the process, instruction twice, but often not at all. Try the screens crazily often.
just pull the strap while pushing the seat. scrolling through your phone contact list. This is a brand-new system, so it ought to
Seat gone. Easy as that. Best way to do this is simply to touch on a feel zingy, powerful and thoroughly future-
Of course, adding the extra seats line and swipe upwards, like you would on an You can select tracks proofed. Instead it acts EOL.
does come at the expense of bootspace, actual mobiles screen. But if you accidentally via touchscreen, but
but with the third row folded fat, theres touch on a line twice and you often do have to hit play on
GARAGE LOGBOOK
phone before they
a surprising amount of room back you phone the wrong person. To be fair, PURETECH 110 FLAIR
start playing
there, including a hidden bootfoor there is a pair of scroll arrows, but theyre
compartment thats useful for coats, unusably tiny and slow-acting. Cant enter
shoes and naughty children. Theres more. Bluetooth music streaming
destination by
postcode. This
GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF
from my iPhone is jumpy, so I use the USB is previous E Drove the G Because
lead. That way, you can select tracks but destination list face-lifted Focus of the cars
REPORT 2 1.0T the other day. extreme lightness
they wont actually play. You have to hit
Scrolling through Cactus is livelier, and soft springs,
1598cc, 4cyl turbodiesel, AWD, play/pause on the phone itself. phone contacts is because its it has a rolling,
Either side of the screen are symbols to a major pain much lighter bouncing gait
128bhp, 236lb ft
switch between screen modes (stereo, trip down the road.
53.3mpg, 139g/km CO2 computer, nav, phone, climate and settings). E Economy now I rather like it,
062mph in 11.0secs, 116mph These serve only one function each, so they over 40mpg, but it doesnt
with some quick feel rock-solid
1615kg 28,995/30,245 could be proper clicky buttons. No, theyre motorway running
also silly touch areas, again with frustrating
Total mileage 5719 latency. And you have to use them a lot,
Driver Andy Franklin MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH
because theres no home screen. If you want
0
Why its here Is this the logical to see what songs playing, you have to be in 0 0 1 0 6 6 1 45.2
next step after the Qashqai? music mode. If you want to see how far to

S E AT L EO N C U P R A
Born to perform M I N I CO O P E R
Not so Mini
HELLO 1984cc, 4cyl, FWD, 276bhp, 258lb ft 42.8mpg, 154g/km CO2
es, yes, youve heard the
062mph in 5.7secs, 155mph 1421kg 28,865/32,980 Total mileage 860
complaint: the new Mini
Driver Adam Waddell Why its here Has Seat got its hot-hatch groove back? Y isnt especially mini any
more. Truth is, compared
he Cupra 280 is a very the changes are quicker, the steering weight to other modern stuf on
IN DETAIL
TopGear kind of car and increases and the throttle response becomes the road, its still a compact little number:
T as a result has regularly
featured in these pages in
sharper. There is a marked diference in feel
between the various modes, but even if you
13cm shorter than an Audi A1, just a
handspan longer than the Fiat 500.
recent months. Back in July, were oblivious to this you couldnt help but Modern four(ish) seaters dont come
we pitched it against its German competition notice the exhaust suddenly barking on the much smaller.
(the Golf R, Audi S1 and BMW 235i) in a upchange. I must be getting on a bit, though, But against the bike-engined Pocket
group test where it acquitted itself admirably. because I largely stick with Comfort mode. Classics you can read about on page 42,
The Golf R and the S1 came out on top but the poor Mini looks a veritable whale. Its
the Cupra was only just behind them in the GARAGE LOGBOOK some 130cm longer than the XK120, and
eyes of our testers. CUPRA 280 weighs approximately 11 times as much.
Then, in the Awards issue, Ollie Marriage OK, so the XK120 isnt road legal, and will
put it up against the Renault Megane Trophy ft only two in discomfort (the Cooper will
R. The Seat had previously held the front- ft four in discomfort), but still: the Minis
wheel-drive record around the Nrburgring got some way to go before it can claim
until the Renault came along and bettered its to be genuinely mini.
time by four seconds. However, the Renault In other news, TG telly producer
costs 10 grand more and is an out-and-out Greg Vince borrowed our Cooper for
track-day special, complete with all sorts of Design elements of the weekend and came back complaining
the Leon are very
trick parts and no rear seats while the Seat sharp. No one should about the horrid ride. And that was
is a sensible everyday family car costing ever accuse Seat of with the adaptive damping in its most
27,000 which just happens to be able to being the poor cousin comfortable setting. Id never considered
get you round the Ring in sub-eight minutes. of VW any more it that bad. Have us grizzled road-test
The Cupra is not the frst car to attempt GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF sorts just acclimatised to Minis with a
to marry everyday practicality with extreme E I like the G The boot isnt crunching ride quality?
performance but it does do it terribly well. understated looks massive and has
It shares a chassis and many components its a hot hatch one an extraordinarily
doesnt have to high lip. Good REPORT 7
with the Volkswagen Golf R, and though
be embarrassed for groceries, less
the VW costs three grand more and has about driving in good for Ikea trips 1499cc, 3cyl turbo petrol,
4WD, it does largely the same job. And to ones forties FWD, 134bhp, 162lb ft
my mind the Seat is better-looking too G Or dogs. Ours
E But that doesnt can just about 62.8mpg, 105g/km CO2
its understated, particularly in metallic
mean I dont love make it into the 062mph in 7.9secs, 130mph
Monsoon Grey like ours, and the two slashes the bright red boot but only with
down its fanks give it real character. brake calipers... a proper run-up! 1085kg 15,300/24,830
Unlike many hot hatches, its an easy car
to live with when pottering around town in Total mileage 7911
MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH Driver Sam Philip
Comfort mode, but you notice a very real
0
change in its characteristics when you fip 0 0 0 8 6 0 1 24.5 Why its here Is the original posh
to Cupra mode. Suddenly, the ride frms up, hatch still the best posh hatch?

FORD KUGA
The long goodbye

GOODBYE 1997cc, 4cyl turbodiesel, 4WD, 161bhp, 251lb ft 47.9mpg, 154g/km CO2 062mph in 9.9secs, 123mph 1692kg
28,795/32,865 Total mileage 22,777 Driver Esther Neve Why its here Is this the ideal mix of of-road and on-road capabilities?
ll things come to an end, But, in the grand scheme of things that GARAGE LOGBOOK
IN DETAIL
and so it is with our tenure disappoint, none of these bugbears (huge
A of the Ford. Its slightly
prolonged stay has
A-pillars aside) cant be eliminated with
a little careful specifcation.
TITANIUM X
allowed us the perfect So, here follows some carefully

opportunity to see how well the Kuga considered advice about what to choose
stands up to almost a year of TG-style on your Kuga and what to avoid: metallic
abuse. The answer, unsurprisingly, is paint nice, but not essential; keyless
extremely well. Despite my friends opening great; power tailgate avoid;
childrens best eforts to twiddle knobs Appearance Pack, including roof rails
the wrong way or pull apart the upholstery, great; power-fold door mirrors and
the Kuga has resolutely remained in one parking sensors great; park assist
piece. Highly commendable. meh; detachable tow bar great;
Its been put through the wringer blind-spot information and lane- GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF
mechanically as well. Ive taken it of-road keeping aid waste of money. E The joy of a G 37.5mpg isnt
several times and towed with it often. Its As to whether the Kuga is the ideal four-wheel drive in exactly near the
had foods and snow to cope with. Its mix of of-road and on-road capabilities heavy rain or snow 47.9 Ford promises
is unparalleled.
confdence-inspiring on the road and has Screen was too as asked in the original question... well, I
It adds to your G Try to avoid going
come out of some fast corners much more small for satnav, would have said unquestionably yes until peace of mind crazy with the spec.
smoothly than I imagined it would. Also hardly any bigger very recently when I had a conversation when driving in Although the
than my phones! bad conditions options are not
highly commendable. Kuga did, however, with a pregnant friend. This quick chat
There are, inevitably, some parts of the highlighted a few areas that meant the prohibitively pricey,
excel at towing, E Build quality some are definitely
Kuga experience that were less enjoyable. demisting and Kuga wasnt ideal for anyone with three is measurably not necessary
The electronic tailgate (the comedic de-icing children who all need childseats. Storage good. Nothing has
swishing of leg under the sensor as it being the main issue. even looked like G Boot played
decided whether or not itd work will be However, for those with two or fewer it might break up a bit. Better
to go manual
missed by no one), the enormous blind spots children, the Kuga ofers great space,
in the A-pillar vicinity, the auto headlights, good facilities, reasonable versatility MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH
0 0 1 3 0 9 0
the proximity of the very similar-looking and high reliability. And for those with
recirc air button to the open-boot button no children at all (me, for example), its 37.5
none of these are Kuga high points. just about perfect. 1

R E N AU LT ZO E
E-Z EV
AU D I T T
HELLO Electric motor, FWD, 88bhp, 162lb ft N/A mpg, N/A g/km CO2
Light fantastic
062mph in 13.5secs, 84mph 1468kg 20,043 Total mileage 2577
Driver Jason Barlow Why its here Can a family live with a pure electric vehicle?
learly, youre not a motorist insignia on the passenger airbag and in the
IN DETAIL
he TT has Matrix LED and you dont use your car to head-lining. We opted for a glacier white paint
T
headlights. I was sceptical
they cost 945, and I
C get from A to B, otherwise
you wouldnt be reading TG.
fnish to emphasise the cars techy character,
but I suspect the matching pale interior trim will
hate those high-beam This means that wrapping look distressingly shabby in six months time.
assist systems that purport your brain around a car like the Renault Zoe So far, though, Im hugely impressed. With
to save you the bother of ficking a column demands a few mental gearchanges. If its 88bhp in normal mode, (reduced to just 60
stalk yourself, only to blind all oncoming throttle response that tickles you, or a bit of in Eco), but 162lb ft of torque, the Zoe is
trafc when they see ft. Pointless. cheeky lift-of oversteer, forget it. clearly at its best around town. The ride is a
But this is diferent: the headlights are On the other hand, the Zoe plugs perfectly little abrasive, and a heavy regen efect means
made up of 12 LEDs, split between three into the technological zeitgeist. One of just 11 that smooth braking is tricky. Other than that,
refectors. Every one can be individually pure electric vehicles on sale in the UK, its the unusualness of its character puts it on a
dimmed or turned of, and the system is bathed in the holy afterglow of zero emissions diferent plane to any conventional supermini.
managed by a camera behind the mirror. tailpipe, at least and if not excitement, it And a costlier one, too. The i-Dynamique
So, say youre following a car on a recalibrates the idea of personal mobility along Zen costs 20,043 outright. Or you can lease
country road at night, the TT leaves a fashionably mindful lines. The question is, can it from 174 per month, including the battery
black hole where he is, but keeps both sides you live with the sacrifces an EV introduces? hire, free domestic wall-box installation by
illuminated. I cant believe how helpful that Fully charged, it has a range of 65 miles. Thats Unless youre a British Gas, and four years free servicing.
yoghurt-weaver,
is, nor how quick-reacting the LEDs are. about when most of us think of refuelling, electricity comes The experiment is under way.
If you have Navigation Plus (1,795), unless youre a fuel-light bingo addict. from the grid to
the system also knows when corners are To make matters worse, Im not an urban- your home... GARAGE LOGBOOK
coming up and illuminates them before you dwelling hipster. I have a wife, two fast-growing i-DYNAMIQUE ZEN
get there. Its as spooky as it sounds. If you children, a large dog and live in a semi-rural
go abroad, itll also dip the lights the other area. The fact is, we need a back-up car for
way automatically. Clever stuf. longer journeys, which immediately damns the GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF
Zoe to luxury status. But I still love the idea of E Looks space- G Interior is
plugging the car into the wall-charger, of agey and Appley cleverly designed,
REPORT 2 enough to appeal but the materials
eliminating emissions from my 15-mile round
to adults and small are a little low rent,
1984cc, 4cyl turbo, 4WD, trip to the nearest major train station, and of children, without and unlikely to
227bhp, 273lb ft being able to bypass petrol stations altogether scaring of either withstand regular
(even if petrol has become much cheaper). family debasement
43.5mpg, 151g/km CO2 E Delivers the buzz
The Zoe is also a product of our post-Apple
062mph in 5.3secs, 155mph aesthetic age. Clio-based but longer and 10cm of zero emissions G Like all EVs,
electric power its not cheap,
1335kg 34,545/45,335 taller, its less wilfully odd looking than BMWs without self- even with a 5k
superb i3. There are blue accents in the lights, righteousness government grant
Total mileage 4915 windows, and around the enlarged Renault
Driver Ollie Marriage MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH
badge that hides the charging socket. The
0
Why its here Is the new TT cabin layout also borrows heavily from the Clio, 0 0 0 4 7 5 1 n/a
a genuine sports car? but the Jony Ive overtones include the ZE

BMW i8
Winter warmer
K I A SO U L
REPORT 4 1499cc, 3cyl, RWD, 231bhp, 235lb ft (plus 129bhp, 185lb ft e-motor driving the front
Life and soul

wheels) 134.5mpg, 49g/km CO2 062mph in 4.4secs, 155mph 1560kg 99,845/105,825
Total mileage 13,232 Driver Charlie Turner Why its here Is this the future of the sports car?
s the weather fnally gets

IN DETAIL
said that Id try not to itself back on script and the
I
mention the looks of the
Kia Soul too much and
A temperatures plummet, the
i8 continues to shine in
focus on it as a car. Well, most if not all areas. With
having been stared at so ice becoming an all-too-frequent part of the
much, I cant ignore it any more. commuting regime, the i8s AWD powertrain
The New Soul is an evolution of a inspires confdence; in many hybrids, the
design frst sold in 2009, and from the integration between ICE and E motors can
outside its defnitely a lesson in evolution be an Achilles heel. But the countless hours
rather than revolution. spent working on the handover between one sits in the dash blocking the airfow to the
Put the silly red and white paint job and the other makes the interaction in the i8 screen directly in front of the drivers eyes.
to one side, and you have a car whose pretty much seamless. Its not a genuine hardship, but given a
exterior design is there simply so as not The complexity of the algorithms Quickclear screen from Ford would have it
to ofer any compromise to its occupants. required to optimise the drive between cleared in under a minute, its a bit of a miss.
The driving position is nice and high, the E motor driving the front wheels and With the cold and damp, comes the dirt
interior headroom is spectacular and the 1.5-litre ICE engine driving the rear as the i8s radical rear-end aero works as a
theres plenty of room in the boot (once is staggering. But as the roads become mud magnet on every journey. The i8 is a
you remove the increasingly obligatory increasingly slick, you can really begin to Waiting for the car that defnitely looks better clean.
windscreen to
and pointless false foor and the Souls appreciate and play with the balance at your
de-ice is a 10-minute
is strangely compartmentalised too). disposal, using the E drive to haul the front process. A heated GARAGE LOGBOOK
The only downside is the vertical rear, end round and out of the corners earlier than screen would cut i8
which in tight city-centre car parks means any RWD car would let you dare. In essence, that down to about
you have to stand under the boot to shut its this relearning of the optimal way to 10 seconds...
it... yes, you can shut it on your head! drive that makes the i8 so fascinating. The GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF
addition of Bridgestone 215/45 R20 winter E Still enjoying G The i8 needs
tyres (350 each) has added an increased fnding diferent to live in a world
REPORT 3 ways to get the where theres
layer of communication through the steering,
most out of the i8 no mud. Some
1582cc, 4cyl turbodiesel, FWD, and I never grow tired of hearing the E supercars look
motors whining as they build pace. E The more time great dirty the
126bhp, 192lb ft
Somewhat more tiring is the defrosting we spend in the i8, i8 isnt one of
47.1mpg, 158g/km CO2 process. While the i8 is equipped with an the more we want them, but the
062mph in 11.7secs, 110mph auxiliary heater to avoid having to fre the to take it on an aeroflow is
extreme adventure. fascinating
1557kg 21,550/21,550 ICE to generate heat to warm up and defrost Send ideas to around the rear
the windscreen, it takes an age for it to be @TGEditor three-quarters
Total mileage 2720 efective. On a cold, frosty morning, you
Driver Simon Carrington MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH
can spend a good 10 minutes waiting for
0
Why its here Can the Soul hack it the screen to clear completely, a process 0 0 2 7 8 2 1 42.0
as an urban family runaround? prevented further by the HUD pod that

V W G O L F GT I P P
The universal answer

GOODBYE 1984cc, 4cyl, FWD, 227bhp, 258lb ft 47.1mpg, 139g/km CO2 062mph in 6.4secs, 155mph 1351kg
27,120/31,850 Total mileage 12,187 Driver Tom Ford Why its here Is the Golf GTI the car to end all car arguments?
he GTI is a bit like an operation that makes most other cars look a GARAGE LOGBOOK
IN DETAIL
overgrown, four-wheeled bit... shonky. Ive actually become convinced
T iPod. Sounds a bit trite,
but bear with me. What
by the If only everything in life was as reliable
as a Volkswagen line. And Im a natural cynic.
GTI PP
Im actually trying to say Youd think this broad-church approach

is that good-looking design and exceptional might lead to a jack-of-all-trades fuzziness
functionality are generally mutually exclusive: around the edges. But it doesnt have that
ultra-functional items arent necessarily the it feels honed and concentrated. Like a car
sexiest, and the good-looking stuf tends to that has been winnowed from a good idea
come equipped with a full suite of drawbacks into a great one, each generation losing a few
or compromises. Not so the Golf GTI. In fact, more negative points and gaining positives.
Id go as far as to say that it probably deserves The engine isnt the most evocative-
at least as much praise as the burgeoning Winter tyres mean sounding, but it is mighty efective just
iconography of Apple products. After all, the 2WD Golf never
struggled even in
fast enough being a good phrase to describe GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF
a car capable of pretty much everything is a the worst weather. it: energetic enough to have fun stretching, E Sheer G The GTI can feel
much wider remit than a pretty MP3 player. And that interior not ballistic enough to constantly risk police satisfaction over like a sober or safe
This isnt simply a case of overstatement. cloth was comfy, wore attention. The optional Performance Pack time the Golfs choice. But get past
extremely well and talents are myriad that its not boring
It really is a car that covers the bases. Its fast, (dif, brakes) is well worth the money if you
looked great. Pretty and deep. No fuss,
fun and satisfying to drive. The adaptive do have the odd back-lane foray, the interior no complication G Spec is key: avoid
much a 100 per cent
modes work extremely well (everything from score on all fronts supremely comfortable. Yes, the R is faster the larger wheels,
Comfort for town work to Sport when you for not an awful lot more, but theres an easy E A car that fts dont go mad with
feel the need to be more connected), its simplicity to the front-drive GTI that makes the bill, no matter the options. The
where you are. It GTI is a great car
respectable, subtle and sophisticated enough it and heres that word again satisfying. doesnt feel like a from base dont
to pull up at a posh hotel or country pub with So you might fnd more character in compromise, but upset it with 10k
equal aplomb, practical enough to deal with something a little less sober, but youll also still covers all the of useless options
99 per cent of loads and journeys most people fnd compromises. The Golf hasnt got any. bases. Talented
will require of it. It is, after all, just a hatchback. We started this test wondering whether
Its well built not a single thing has gone the Golf GTI was the universal answer to MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH
0 0 1 3 1 3 0
wrong in 12,000 miles achieves decent most of the car questions you might care to
enough mpg, and has the functionality in ask. The conclusion, after exhaustive testing, 33.2
terms of multimedia and general day-to-day is quite simply, yes. Yes, it is. 1

R A N G E ROV E R S P O RT
Havana good time

HELLO 2,993cc, V6 diesel, 4WD, 290bhp, 443lb ft 40.4mpg, 185g/km CO2 062mph in 6.8secs, 138mph 2115kg
76,250/95,250 Total mileage 2400 Driver Tom Ford Why its here Is there any point in a Range Rover Sport?
o Havana on the Land but is actually really very attractive, with black
IN DETAIL GARAGE LOGBOOK
Rover confgurator looks wood setting of the bold seat shade.
S dark brown. Which means
that when the Range Rover
SDV6
Other options include xenons, a full-sized
spare wheel, a tow bar, surround cameras,
Sport turned up at the proper climate, 18-way powered front seats,
ofce, I was a little surprised that its actually rear-seat entertainment and an utterly
a kind of purpley-grey-black. But no matter, awesome Meridian Signature Reference audio
its fnally here, and in quite a serious spec. system that chucks out 1,700W from 23, yes
Obviously, with the mileage I do, the twenty-three, speakers. It costs four grand, but
SDV6 makes the most sense (although I doubt so far its probably worth every penny. If I was
Ill crest the 40mpg claimed fgure), and you able to aford this kind of car which I cant,
dont really miss any performance: 062mph seeing as specced to this level it costs an
in around seven seconds and 138mph top eye-watering 95k.
end is enough for me. Add AWD capability
and a lovely eight-speed auto gearbox, and
GOOD STUFF BAD STUFF Saying that, the frst 1,000 miles have
proved very acceptable. Yes, youre aware of
Pimento red leather E Give me a RR G The slow
Im pleased that hopefully Im looking at interior is lovely with the SDV6 multimedia those huge 22s (275/40 Continental Cross
the perfect winter-weather commuter. and much more and an 8spd, and touchscreen is Contacts all round) mainly because youre
But back to the specifcation. And its a bit theatrical than the Ill show you a already annoying. conscious of their rotational mass, and they
outside. Standard fantastic motorway Feels last-gen
gangster. Along with the not-brown bodywork, can thrum slightly on certain road surfaces,
8spd auto box is a cruiser. Ace not good enough
Ive gone for a black roof, body-coloured side joy on long journeys for 95k but damn, they look good. The engine is
sills and bumper caps, black roof rails and E OV64 ULR was delivering above 30mpg despite only having
black 22-inch Style 26 wheels, complete press-ganged into G There have been covered a couple of thousand miles, and the
with black wheelnuts (a 200 option). helping on a shoot comments about my dynamics of what is still a large vehicle are
within two days footballer status.
Privacy glass and a Stealth Pack which and its the perfect But Im the most
incredibly impressive taut when it needs to
darkens any brightwork or other sniper- car to retire to at all gangster middle- be, relaxed when it doesnt. Ive even managed
friendly colouration, and youve got a proper times. Practical aged man evah, some light of-road and didnt even feel the
murdered-out Range Rover straight from the LOLZ... need to trouble the Terrain Response system.
factory. Yep, it looks a bit footballer, but you So Im feeling pretty pleased with myself
cant say that it lacks presence.
MILEAGE AND MPG THIS MONTH for the winter. But I have a feeling that this
Inside, its a bit more cheerful, with a 0 0 2 3 1 3 0 31.2 little Range Rover is going to have to work
red-leather interior that looks a bit boudoir, 1 hard. Looking forward to it...

www.magnecor.co.uk
Technically Advanced Ignition

Leads for Race & Road...
...for professionals, enthusiasts

and consumers
Join the 1000s of other happy Magnecor
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MAGNECOR LEAD WHERE OTHERS FOLLOW

Data
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NEW CARS YOU WANT TO BUY AND NOTHING ABOUT THE ONES YOU DONT Produced by Motoring Research
ALFA ROMEO
4C
Clarkson on Alfa Romeo:
You cant be a proper petrolhead until youve owned
an Alfa. Other ways of breaking down are available."
Lotus by Alfa, with the odd Alfa foible to

boot. But when a cars this pretty, light
and engaging, you just want one.
1.7T
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT
45,000 4.5 160 240 258 41.5 157
MPG CO2 RATING
5/10
Euro NCAP N/A, LxWxH in mm: 3989x1864x1183, 40-litre fuel tank,
110-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
MITO
Alfas small car is actually quite big,
except on the inside. Yes, its the Mini
all over again, but worse to drive.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.4 170 QV 20,210 7.3 136 172 185 52.3 124 4/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4060x1820x1540, 45-litre fuel
tank, 270/950-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 11 models in total.
GIULIETTA
Another pizza slice from Fiats Taste The
Dierence range. Its no Golf, which is
why you want it, and also why you dont.
1.4 170 Dtive 20,990 7.6 135 170 170 49.6 131 6/10
2.0 JTDM-2 21,720 8.8 130 150 280 67.3 110 6/10
tank, 450-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 11 models in total.
ARIEL
Clarkson on Ariel:
My face still hasnt recovered from the last time I
drove an Atom. An F15 ghter is less extreme.
ATOM
The single most insane car on sale. Even
JC SPEAKS SOME WORDS... YELLOW BAR FUEL ECONOMY the regular version will redene your
sense of whats possible in a car.
Clarkson's view ...about the car Denotes the TG Favourites Less is, um, more
MODEL CHOICE CRASH TESTING BOOT VOLUME NOT EVERY ENGINE 2.0 245 32,255 3.2 141 245 154 N/A N/A 9/10
Just the ones that count You want five stars here Two numbers? Seats up/down is available with every trim! 2.0 SC 350 R 64,800 2.5 155 330 243 N/A N/A 9/10
P160
Euro NCAP N/A, LxWxH in mm: 3410x1800x1200, 42-litre fuel tank,
NEW IN: Jeep Renegade

N/A-litre boot, 3 engines, 1 trim, 3 models in total.
ASTON MARTIN
Clarkson on Aston Martin:
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING The last word in icy coolness. Even more so now that
awful Cygnet has been scrapped.
1.4 MJet Longi 19,795 10.9 112 142 170 47.1 140 6/10 VANTAGE
The car that took on the 911. And lost.
P161
But its an Aston, which means brogues
NEW IN: Mazda 2

to the Porsches two-a-penny trainers.

4.7 V8 N430 89,995 4.8 189 430 361 20.4 321 7/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 6.0 V12 S 138,000 3.7 205 573 458 17.2 388 8/10
1.5 SE 11,995 12.1 106 75 100 60.1 110 7/10

Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4380x1870x1260, 80-litre fuel
TOPGEAR.COM FEBRUARY 2015 153

DB9 A4 TT
ASTON MARTIN-BAC
AWARDS WINNER 2014
Actually a blend of DB9 and now-defunct Competence is overrated. And heres It wont chase away the old stereotypes,
Virage. Not without charm, but, really the proof. Yep, the A4 has all the quality but the all-new TT is a big step forward.
Aston, it's time for some new ideas. and image you crave, but its a bit... cold. Interior is genuinely cool.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
DB9 6.0 517 135,527 4.6 183 517 457 19.8 333 7/10 1.8 TFSI SE Tech 27,300 8.1 143 170 236 49.6 134 6/10 2.0 TFSI FWD 28,860 6.0 155 230 273 47.9 137 8/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4710x1880x1270, 80-litre fuel tank, 3.0 TFSI 333 S4 39,610 5.0 155 333 324 34.9 190 6/10 2.0 TDI ultra 29,770 7.1 150 184 280 67.3 110 8/10
175-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total. RS 4 Avant 56,545 4.7 155 450 317 26.4 249 7/10 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4177x1832x1353, 50-litre fuel
VANQUISH 2.0 TDI ultra 29,620 8.3 140 163 293 67.3 109 6/10
Overhauled DBS is another evolutionary

3.0 TDI q Av' 39,550 6.1 155 245 368 47.9 154 6/10 R8
step from Aston and is likely to struggle Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4700x1830x1420, 65-litre fuel Recently revised, still eortlessly easy to
to broaden the customer base. tank, 480/962-litre boot, 11 engines, 5 trims, 53 models in total. drive, still better than a 911. Have a V8,
it's better than the V10. Promise.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING A5
V12 Coupe 192,995 3.8 201 576 465 22.1 298 8/10 An artful lesson in understatement, Audis PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
V12 Volante A5 does desirable without the ash. Unless 4.2 V8 Spyder 102,385 4.8 187 430 317 19.6 337 9/10
204,995 4.0 197 576 465 22.1 298 8/10 you spec it in white with 20s. Fool.
5.2 550 V10 Plus 126,835 3.8 198 550 398 19.0 346 9/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4692x1912x1294, 78-litre fuel tank,
368-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4430x1900x1240, 90-litre fuel
2.0 TFSI q SE tank, 100-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 5 models in total.
RAPIDE S 33,910 6.4 155 225 258 42.8 152
3.0 TFSI 333 S5 43,665 4.9 155 333 324 34.9 190
7/10
7/10 Q3
Aston has ensured the latest Rapide is, 3.0 TDI quattro 41,185 5.8 155 245 358 49.6 149
err, rapid-er by giving it the engine from 7/10 This is the car Audi says rivals the Range
the latest Vanquish. Better than ever. Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4630x1860x1370, 65-litre fuel tank,
Rover Evoque. Oh dear. A high-rise Golf
455/829-litre boot, 8 engines, 5 trims, 45 models in total.
with an inferiority complex.
6.0 V12
144,950 4.4 203 560 465 21.9 300
MPG CO2 RATING
8/10 A6 2.0 TDI quattro 29,240
Audis photocopier styling department 7.9 136 184 170 53.3 139 6/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5019x1929x1360, 90.5-litre fuel tank,
317/886-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
has pulled another one out the bag. Still Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4385x1831x1608, 64-litre fuel
not up to 5-Series standards. tank, 420/1325-litre boot, 4 engines, 3 trims, 15 models in total.
DATA IN NUMBERS: LOAD LUGGERS PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Q5
RS 6 77,005 3.9 155 560 516 28.8 229 8/10 Audis small SUV is only small because
Aston Martin Rapide boot 317 litres 2.0 TDI ultra 31,955 8.4 144 190 280 62.8 117 6/10
the Q7 is the size of sub-Saharan Africa.
Its small inside though, if that helps.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe boot 315 litres 3.0 BiTDI SE Av 48,125 5.2 155 320 479 45.6 164 7/10
Ford B-Max boot 320 litres Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4910x1870x1460, 65-litre fuel PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
tank, 535/1680-litre boot, 8 engines, 6 trims, 23 models in total. SQ5 44,715 5.1 155 313 479 41.5 179 7/10
AUDI A7 2.0 TDI q SE

Euro NCAP
32,610 9.0 127 177 258 47.9 154
LxWxH in mm: 4630x1880x1650, 75-litre fuel
5/10
Clarkson on Audi: Audis niche-busting continues. The A7 is tank, 540/1560-litre boot, 6 engines, 3 trims, 16 models in total.
Stoutly made, slightly boring cars that are fast basically an A8 hatch, with the added sug-
becoming the refuge of the tailgating muppet. gestion that you might drive yourself.
Q7
A1 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING A car that addresses all the problems of
our socio-economic and environmental
Essentially a posh Fabia, the A1 is prince to RS 7 84,480 3.9 155 560 516 29.7 221 7/10 malaise by ignoring them outright.
Skodas pauper. Or maybe the emperors 3.0 TDI BiTDI 56,575 5.2 155 320 479 46.3 162 7/10
new clothes. Either way, its not 20k good.
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4970x1911x1420, 73-litre fuel PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
tank, 535/1390-litre boot, 6 engines, 5 trims, 13 models in total. 4.2 TDI q S line 56,620 6.4 150 340 590 30.7 242 5/10
1.4 TFSI Sport 16,365 8.9 126 122 147 53.3 124 6/10 A8 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 5090x1980x1730, 100-litre fuel
S1 24,905 5.8 155 231 272 40.3 162 8/10 Will the A8 ever escape the S-Class's
shadow? Probably not, but then on this
evidence, it doesn't deserve to. BAC
Clarkson on BAC:
A3 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING BAC is from Cheshire so I expected an awful onyx car
with fake pillars. I was wrong. Its sensational.
New A3, old looks. But new bits under- W12 98,100 4.6 155 500 461 25.0 264 6/10
neath and a really rather lovely cabin.
Slight naness standard with every model.
4.2 TDI SE Exec 72,790 4.7 155 385 626 38.2 194 6/10 MONO
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5135/5270x1949x1460, 90-litre Some say its too extreme. All we know is
fuel tank, 520-litre boot, 5 engines, 6 trims, 17 models in total. that Stig once voted it his car of the year.
And that some people are fools.
1.4 TFSI Sport 21,275 9.2 128 125 147 55.4 117 6/10
S3 30,940 5.2 155 300 280 40.4 162 7/10 DATA IN NUMBERS: COST CUTTER PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
2.0 TDI Sport 23,575 8.6 134 150 236 68.9 106 7/10 2.3 280 80,000 2.8 170 280 206 N/A N/A 9/10
Audi A8 W12 98,100
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4230x1770x1420, 45-litre fuel Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 3952x1800x1110, 35-litre fuel tank,
tank, 365/1,100-litre boot, 10 engines, 6 trims, 70 models in total. Bentley Flying Spur W12 146,000 NA-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
FOR ALL THE FACTS AND STATS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EVERY CAR ON SALE IN THE UK GO TO TOPGEAR.COM/REVIEWS
BENTLEY TOPGEAR TOP FIVE 2-SERIES
BENTLEY-BMW
2-Series follows BMWs new naming
Clarkson on Bentley:
The entire range seems to be getting more and more
Cheshire. No surprise, since theyre made there.
BABY MPVS strategy, but is very much its own car.
And a rather good one at that.
CONTINENTAL GT 31 FORD B-MAX 1.0T ZETEC PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Way better than the David Dickinson

Price 17,295 220i Sport 26,040 7.0 146 184 199 44.8 148 7/10
image would suggest, the Conti GT is a Specs 125bhp, 147 lb ft, 220d Sport 26,865 7.2 143 184 280 58.9 125 7/10
masterclass in modern British style.
0-62mph 11.2secs, VMax 117mph, M235i 34,250 5.0 155 326 332 34.9 189 8/10
57.7mpg, CO2 114g/km Euro NCAP n/a LxWxH in mm: 4432x1774x1418, 52-litre fuel
4.0 V8 S 139,915 4.5 192 521 502 26.8 246 8/10
4.0 V8 GT3-R
Essentially its a fat Fiesta. But the sliding rear doors and 2-SERIES ACTIVE TOURER
238,645 3.6 170 580 517 22.3 295 7/10
6.0 W12 Speed 156,700 4.2 206 635 605 19.5 338
lack of a B-pillar make it very easy to load children and it
8/10 BMW builds an MPV, but stupidly still
drives with a hint of entertainment. Bonus. quotes a Nurburgring time for it. First
FWD BMW misses the point entirely.
358-litre boot, 5 engines, 5 trims, 9 models in total.
FLYING SPUR 2 VAUXHALL MERIVA 1.6 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Brilliant in many ways, but somehow fails CDTI TECH LINE 218i SE 22,125 9.2 127 136 162 57.6 115 5/10
to capture the essence of luxury as well Price 17,175 Specs 136bhp, 236 218d SE 24,205 9.1 129 150 243 68.9 109 5/10
as the Conti coupe.
lb ft, 0-62mph 9.9secs, VMax Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4342x1800x1555, 51-litre fuel
tank, 468-1510-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 8 models in total.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 122mph, 64.2mpg, CO2 116g/km
4.0 V8 136,000 4.9 183 507 487 25.9 254 6/10 3-SERIES
6.0 W12 146,000 4.3 200 625 590 19.0 343 6/10 How do you make a small Vauxhall people mover more Not only the benchmark small exec, but
exciting? Add suicide rear doors. Just be careful not to one of the best saloons of all. More ver-
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5299x1976x1488, 90-litre fuel sions are out now, all are excellent.
tank, 475-litre boot, 2 engines, 2 trims, 4 models in total. take them too literally.
MULSANNE PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
The replacement for the Arnage, and

every bit as opulent and grand. If you
3 HONDA JAZZ 1.4
335i M Sport
M3
38,250
56,175
5.5
4.3
155
155
306
431
295
406
35.7
32.1
186
204
8/10
8/10
can ignore the looks, this is brilliant. I-VTEC EX 320d ED Busi 30,175 8.0 143 163 280 68.9 109 9/10
Price 15,995 Specs 98bhp, 94 320d xDrive SE 30,275 7.5 145 184 280 60.1 124 9/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING lb ft, 0-62mph 11.8secs, VMax 330d xDrive M 38,600 5.3 155 258 413 54.3 137 9/10
6.75 V8 228,200 5.1 184 512 752 16.8 393 7/10 113mph, 50.4mpg, CO2 129g/km Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4620x1810x1430, 57/60-litre fuel
443-litre boot, 1 engine, 2 trims, 2 models in total.
Pensioners absolutely adore this thing. And with all that
4-SERIES
BMW clever engineering for not very much money, so should
everyone else. Except they dont. Shame. The name may have changed but the
games still the same. Smooth, genteel,
Clarkson on BMW: rened and sport-ish.
BMW is making some good cars at the moment. The
cocks are all in Audis so you may get out of junctions.
4 MERCEDES B180 CDI SE PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
i3 Price 22,575 428i SE 32,815 5.9 155 245 258 42.8 154 8/10
The future is here, its electric and we love
Specs 109bhp, 191 lb ft, 435i M Sport 41,655 5.4 155 306 295 35.8 185 8/10
it. The rest are now playing catch up. From 0-62mph 11.6secs, VMax M4 56,635 4.3 155 431 406 32.1 204 8/10
a long way behind. 118mph, 68.9mpg, CO2 108g/km 420d SE 31,795 7.5 149 187 280 60.1 124 8/10
420d SE Gran C 31,795 7.7 147 187 280 60.1 124 7/10
We never rated the old B. Thankfully this ones much Euro NCAP n/a LxWxH in mm: 4638x1825x1362, 57/60-litre fuel
i3 EV 30,680 7.2 93 170 184 n/a 0 9/10
better, and especially useful for those Waitrose runs tank, 445/480-litre boot, 7 engines, 6 trims, 86 models in total.
i3 EV REx 33,830 7.9 93 170 184 470 13 9/10
when falafel stocks are running dangerously low.
tank(REx), 260-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 8 models in total.
5-SERIES
Remains the best exec around thanks to
1-SERIES 5 CITROEN C3 PICASSO 1.6 cosseting cabin and ride. Big, smooth and
brilliant - why d'you need a 7-Series?
Perhaps the pick of the premium hatches HDI VTR+
right now, the 1-Series thrashes the opposi-
tion for driving. M135i is bargainous gem.
Price 16,230 Specs 90bhp, 169 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
lb ft, 0-62mph 13.5secs, VMax 535i Luxury 44,555 5.7 155 306 295 37.7 174 7/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 108mph, 68.9mpg, CO2 107g/km M5 73,940 4.3 155 560 501 28.5 232 8/10
116d ED 3d 20,830 10.5 1241 116 191 74.3 99 7/10 520d SE 31,965 8.1 145 184 280 62.8 119 8/10
120d SE 5d 23,955 7.2 142 184 280 65.7 114 7/10 The Picasso reminds us of when French cars were a 530d Tour SE 43,375 5.9 155 258 413 53.3 139 9/10
M135i M Spt 3d 30,835 5.1 155 320 332 35.3 188 9/10 bit weird, in a good way. Heres a cute little van with 535d Lux 48,515 5.3 155 313 464 52.3 143 8/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4320x1770x1420, 50/52-litre fuel pretensions - one for families with a sense of humour. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4907x1860x1460, 70-litre fuel
tank, 360/1200-litre boot, 11 engines, 6 trims, 54 models in total. tank, 520-litre boot, 13 engines, 6 trims, 62 models in total.
6-SERIES TOPGEAR TOP FIVE X5
BMW-CHEVROLET
Unusually, BMW launched the 6 as a Very good on tarmac, assuming you
Cabrio rst. Also unusually, the coupes a
bit... rubbish. GC 4dr is much better. HOT HATCHBACKS want to pummel it into submission. Just
like with those building contracts, yeah?
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 31 VW GOLF R PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
650i M Sp Conv 79,330 5.0 155 407 442 26.4 249 5/10 Price 30,150 M50d 64,015 5.3 155 381 545 42.8 173 6/10
M6 Coupe 94,605 4.2 155 560 501 28.5 232 7/10 Specs 300bhp, 280lb ft, xDrive30d SE 48,245 6.8 142 258 413 47.9 156 8/10
640d GC SE 64,870 5.4 155 313 464 50.4 148 8/10 0-62mph 5.1secs, VMax 155mph, Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4896x1938x1762, 85-litre fuel tank,
M6 GC 98,125 4.2 155 560 501 28.5 232 8/10 39.8mpg, CO2 165g/km
460-litre boot, 4 engines, 3 trims, 19 models in total. Previous Golf Rs have been a bit leaden. This one isnt.
BUGATTI
Clarkson on Bugatti:
7-SERIES In fact its one of the best hot Golfs ever: sharp, direct,
fast and fun. An Impreza from Germany.
Bugatti made it possible for Captain Slow to hit
259mph. The Veyron itself is a minor miracle too.
Never as attractive a proposition as the
Merc S-Class, the 7 is phenomenally
good without anyone really giving a toss. VEYRON
32 BMW M135i The fastest, most expensive car in the
world (until John Hennessey gets his act
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Price 30,845 together). Veyron is the ultimate.
ActiveHybrid 7 66,195 5.7 155 320 331 41.5 158 5/10
Specs 320bhp, 332lb ft,
740d SE 65,460 5.5 155 313 464 49.6 149 7/10 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
0-62mph 5.1secs, VMax 155mph,
W16 Grand Sp 1,139,985 2.5 252 1001 922 10.9 596 10/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5070/5210x1900x1480, 82-litre fuel
35.3mpg, CO2 188g/km
Z4 Not front wheel drive, so some may say this isnt a hot
n/a boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
How does BMW get the Z4 wrong? It

looks right, but doesnt drive right. The
hatch at all. But it is, and its brilliant. Super fast, highly
amusing and 10k cheaper than the old 1M. Bargain.
CATERHAM
Boxster kicks it in the tenders. Clarkson on Caterham:
Enormously good fun Im sure, but they say the same
about Chatroulette and I wouldnt fancy that either.
3 SEAT LEON CUPRA 280
sDrive18i
sDrive28i
27,735 7.9 137 154 177 41.5 159 6/10
Price 27,210 SEVEN
37,385 5.7 155 245 258 41.5 159 7/10 As old as the hills, yet as energetic as
Specs 276bhp, 258lb ft, 0-62mph a spring lamb. The small, light, imsy
180/310-litre boot, 6 engines, 2 trims, 9 models in total. 5.7secs, VMax 155mph, 42.8mpg, template still serves the 7 well.
CO2 154g/km
i8 AWARDS WINNER 2014
A supercar for spacemen. Theres noth- 0.8 160 17,995 6.5 100 80 79 57.6 114 8/10
ing else like it: this is a performance car Like the Golf R, the Leon took us rather by surprise.
1.6 Superlight 35,995 3.8 140 210 148 n/a n/a 7/10
that makes a Prius look like a gas-guzzler. Very efective diferential, crisp, strong engine and
R620 49,995 2.8 155 310 219 n/a n/a 9/10
plenty of cornering nous. Well done Seat, much better.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 3530x1690x1140, 36-litre fuel tank,
i8 99,895 4.4 155 367 236 113 59 9/10 75-litre boot, 6 engines, 3 trims, 12 models in total.
4
tank, TBA-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
FORD FOCUS ST
Price 22,295 CHEVROLET
Clarkson on Chevrolet:
X1
X3 Specs 247bhp, 250lb ft, 0-62mph Finally the old Daewoos have disappeared from
Far superior to the last one. So much so 6.5secs, VMax 154mph, 39.2mpg, Chevrolets range. The world is a better place.
that you question the need for the X5.
X3 is more socially acceptable, too.
CO2 169g/km CAMARO
Brilliant slice of Americana that's some-
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING A good, honest hot hatch. Tinge of blue collar, but how not as good on the A34 as cruising
theres something rather sophisticated about the way it down Route 66, but we still would.
sDrive18d SE 30,990 9.9 121 152 266 60.1 124 7/10
xDrive30d SE 39,735 5.9 144 262 413 47.1 159 7/10 drives. Also available as an estate, if you must. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4648x1881x1675, 67-litre fuel 6.2 V8 Coupe 35,345 5.2 155 432 419 20.0 329 7/10
5 RENAULTSPORT MEGANE Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4840x1920x1380, 72-litre fuel tank,
X4 TROPHY
320-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
People with the hides of rhinos and a

passion for obnoxiousness bought the
Price 28,930 Specs 270bhp, CORVETTE STINGRAY AWARDS WINNER 2014
X6, so we now have to suer an X4. Joy. 265lb ft, 0-62mph 6.0secs, VMax The Americans have nally got serious
about taking on the Porsche 911. Others
158mph, 37.7mpg, CO2 174g/km have tried before, but rarely as well as this.
xDrive20d SE 36,595 8.0 132 193 295 52.3 143 4/10 Take your driving seriously? Attend track days? Post on PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
xDrive30d SE 44,895 5.8 145 262 413 47.9 156 4/10 forums? Then buy a Megane, the hatch of choice for 6.2 V8 61,520 <4.0 186 460 465 23.5 279 8/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4671x1915x1624, 67-litre fuel tank, hardcore geeks. Now available as a Trophy model, too. Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4495x1780x1235, TBC-litre fuel
500/1400-litre boot, 3 engines, 2 trims, 6 models in total. tank, TBC-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
TOPGEAR TOP FIVE
CHRYSLER-FERRARI
CHRYSLER DS5
The most avantgarde of all the DS. Not
Clarkson on Chrysler:
Hard to think of a reason to buy a Chrysler unless
youre a US tax payer keen to protect your capital.
MOST ECO MPV LEAST ECO MPV as inspiring as the DS3, and the ride is
terrible, but family cars come no cooler.
YPSILON 1 1 1.6 THP 200

28,920 8.5 146 200 203 42.2 155
MPG CO2 RATING
5/10
The Ypsilon contains all that's good (and
bad) about Chrysler. Dierent to a run- 2.0 HDi DSport 28,955 8.5 134 160 250 57.6 128 7/10
of-the-mill supermini, but not better. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4530x1870x1540, 45-litre fuel tank,
465-litre boot (Hybrid 325l), 4 engines, 3 trims, 10 models in total.
0.9 TwinAir Gold 12,195 11.5 109 85 107 67.3 99 6/10 Peugeot 3008 Volkswagen Sharan GRAND C4 PICASSO
1.3 M-Jet Gold 13,195 11.0 114 95 148 74.3 99 6/10 Hybrid4 2.0 TSI 200 Funky newness from Citroen, helping
make the world of MPVs more accept-
85.6mpg 33.2mpg able. Headlights a particular success.
300C 1.6 THP 165

PRICE
24,370
062 MPH BHP
8.7 130 155
LB FT MPG
177 50.4 130
CO2 RATING
7/10
New nose, same old theme. A halfway
decent executive barge thatll end up
2 2 1.6 e-HDi 115 22,120 12.1 117 114 199 70.6 105 8/10
stretched for hen night service. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4590x1830x1630, 60-litre
fuel tank, 537/1851-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 11 models in total.
3.0 CRD Exec' 30,020 7.4 144 236 399 39.2 191
7/10
Ford S-Max 2.0
DACIA
Citroen C4 Picasso Clarkson on Dacia:
1.6 e-HDi 90 Ecoboost 240 Prices are attractive but May is obsessed with their
cars and I fully understand if that puts you o.
CITROEN 74.3mpg 34.0mpg
SANDERO
Clarkson on Citroen:
Citroen makes some of the nicest looking cars you The UKs cheapest new car you can
can buy. Now hands out less free money than it did.
3 3 lease one for less than a Sky TV package.
Nothing here besides simple transport.
C1 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
The rst time Citroen got jiggy with
Peugeot and Toyota, they created some- 1.2 75 Access 5,995 14.5 97 75 78 47.9 137 6/10
thing quite cool. Now its round two. 0.9 TCe 90 Amb 7,595 11.1 109 90 99 54.3 120 6/10
Ford B-Max Citroen Berlingo 1.5 dCi 90 Amb 8,595 12.1 107 90 162 74.3 99 6/10
1.0 Touch 3d 8,245 14.3 98 69 69 68.9 95 6/10 1.6 TDCi 1.6 90 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4060x1730x1520, 50-litre fuel
1.2 Flair 5d 10,935 11.0 106 83 87 65.7 99 6/10 70.6mpg 34.5mpg
DUSTER
Simple, high-riding crossover-style ve-
DS3 4 4 seater is a favourite of James May. Good
value, surprisingly able, very tough.
A former Car of the Year and a gigantic,
mincing Gallic leap forward for Citroen. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Not fast, but a kick up the arse for Mini. 1.6 105 Access 9,495 11.5 102 105 109 39.8 165 7/10
1.5 dCi Amb 11,995 11.8 106 110 177 56.5 130 7/10
1.2 VTi DSign BMW 218d Ford Galaxy 2.0 1.5 dCi 4x4 Lau 15,495 12.5 104 110 177 53.3 137 7/10
12,865 10.6 114 82 87 62.8 104 7/10
1.6 THP Techno 17,250 7.3 133 115 177 48.7 135 7/10 Active Tourer Ecoboost 203 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4320x1820x1700, 50-litre fuel tank,
1.6 e-HDi DSt 15,820 12.5 113 90 169 78.5 95 7/10 68.9mpg 34.9mpg
FERRARI
Clarkson on Ferrari:
C4 CACTUS AWARDS WINNER 2014
5 5 Ferraris used to be art. Now they are science. And the
458 shows they can still be truly wonderful.
Breath of fresh air, as only Citroen can
do. Great looking and with just enough
gadgets to keep a modern family happy. CALIFORNIA T
The Ferrari that everyone thought was a
Maserati now has a turbo V8. Purists will
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING hate it, but itll bring in buyers.
1.2 VTi 75 12,990 12.9 103 75 87 61.4 105 8/10 Toyota Prius Chrysler Grand Voyager
1.2 e-VTi 110 15,790 9.3 117 110 151 60.1 107 8/10 Plus 2.8 CRD PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.6 BlueHDi 110 15,390 10.7 114 110 187 83.1 87 8/10 68.9mpg 35.8mpg 3.8 V8 T 154,490 3.6 196 560 556 26.9 250 8/10
tank, 358/1170-litre boot, 6 engines, 3 trims, 13 models in total. 240/340-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
458
CAR CLINIC+ 500X
FERRARI-FORD
AWARDS WINNER 2014
The nest sports car of the past ve The quest to cash in on the 500 continues.
years. Utterly mind-blowing. You should Similar lights, but otherwise theres nothing
want one. Everyone should want one. 500-ish here. Not a bad crossover, mind.
4.5 V8 Italia 178,551 3.4 202 562 398 20.6 307 10/10 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT 1.4 MAir PStar 17,595 9.8 118 140 170 47.1 139 TBA
4.5 V8 Speciale 208,090 3.0 202 605 398 23.9 275 1.6 MJet PStar 19,095 10.5 116 120 236 68.9 109 TBA
10/10
4.5 V8 Spider 2.0 MJet Cross 24,095 9.8 118 140 258 51.4 144 TBA
198,996 3.4 198 562 398 21.2 307 10/10
F12
The F12 is bombastic, epic and howlingly
FORD
Clarkson on Ford:
fast. The fastest Ferrari road car ever in Decent, well made cars that do everything you want
fact. Emphatically not just a GT. for a reasonable price. A bit like M&S.
6.3 V12
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING FIESTA
240,083 3.1 211 740 508 18.8 350 10/10 Arguably the best supermini on sale.
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4620x1940x1270, 92-litre fuel tank, Pace-setter or pacemaker, theres some-
FF
VS thing for everyone here.

A 4wd Ferrari estate, making this the most 1.0T Zetec 3d 13,945 11.2 112 100 125 65.7 99 8/10
practical 208mph family car around. Buy it
for the 6.3-litre V12, not the 450-litre boot. 1.6T 182 ST 3d 17,250 6.9 139 182 213 47.9 139 9/10
1.6 TDCi Ztec 5d 15,945 12.9 111 95 147 85.6 85 8/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3950x1720x1480, 42-litre fuel
6.3 V12 227,167 3.7 208 660 503 18.3 360 9/10 tank, 295/979-litre boot, 9 engines, 7 trims, 47 models in total.
450/800-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total. FOCUS
New engines, new interior design, even
LAFERRARI AWARDS WINNER 2014
a tweak to perk the handling back up.
Focus is back to its best.
Meet the most drivable, engaging and
friendly 950bhp hypercar you can imagine.
Also has electric, but you wouldnt know it. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.6 Studio 13,995 14.9 106 85 104 47.9 136 7/10
6.3 V12 KERS 1 million 2.9 218+ 950 664 19.8 330 10/10 BMW X3 1.0T Zetec
1.5T Tit X
18,795
23,520
11.0
8.6
120 125
130 182
147
177
60.1
51.4
108
127
8/10
8/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4702x1992x1116, TBC-litre fuel 1.5 TDCi Zetec
tank, TBC-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
20,595 10.5 120 120 199 74.3 99 8/10
FIAT Dear Car Clinic Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4358x1823x1484, 53-litre
Now that my Freelanders on its last legs, MONDEO
Clarkson on Fiat:
The essence of Italian cars. Stylish, likeable, almost Im in need of a new smallish SUV. Living Been on sale in the US for three years
certain to break your heart or wallet.
in remotest Oxfordshire, a degree of now. Smooth, rened and not too
American. Well done Ford.
PANDA of-road ability is essential, as is enough
Its back, its slightly rounder and its space for my three small children. Help! PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
still entirely brilliant. Come ere cuddly 1.6 TDCi Style 20,795 12.1 119 115 199 78.5 94 7/10
Panda, we want to give you a hug. JAMES BANNERMAN, OXFORD
1.5T Zetec 21,045 9.2 138 160 177 48.7 134 7/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 2.0 TDCi Est Tit 24,995 9.5 130 150 258 67.3 109 7/10
TwinAir 85 Easy 11,095 11.2 110 85 106 67.3 99 8/10 James, have ye no fear for Top Gear is here. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4780x1890x1500, 70-litre fuel
1.3 MJet Easy 12,095 12.8 104 75 140 72.4 104 8/10 Youve got two options either stick with
JLR and get yourself a brand-new Disco B-MAX
Sport (read: Freelander) or go German Fords reply to the Vauxhall Meriva. Sliding
500 and buy an X3. Go Land Rover. Its better rear doors and no B-pillars means easy ac-
cess and brilliant packaging. Fine car.
Not quite the Sixties revival Fiat was of-road than the BMW and, with a total
angling for, but the 500 is a refreshing PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
alternative to Mini-shaped ubiquity. of seven seats to the BMs ve, heaps more 1.0T Zetec 15,395 13.2 109 100 125 55.4 119 7/10
practical. Especially for someone with such, 1.0T Titanium 17,195 11.2 117 125 147 57.7 114 8/10
1.3 MJet Lounge 14,220 10.7 112 95 150 76.3 97 7/10 ermproductive loins. On-road, the X3 is 1.6 TDCi Tit 17,895 13.9 108 95 158 70.6 104 7/10
0.9 TwinAir S 13,370 11.0 107 85 106 70.6 92 7/10 superior, but buy one, and you'll soon miss Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4080x1860x1600, 48-litre fuel
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3550x1630x1490, 37-litre fuel the extra space.
C-MAX
500L The latest C-Max boasts sliding doors, yet
despite that it's somehow not as invigorat-
Dont be misled by the badge and the
headlights. The 500L is more Panda
than 500, and bigger than you expect.
SPECS ing as the smaller B-Max.
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT 1.0T Titanium 20,150 11.4 116 125 147 55.4 117 6/10
1.4 95 Pop 13,040 12.8 111 95 93 45.6 145 5/10 Price 34,195 1.6 TDCi TX Gr 24,045 12.3 112 115 199 57.7 129 6/10
1.6 MJet Lounge 19,090 11.3 112 105 236 62.8 117 5/10 Engine 2179cc 4cyl in-line, Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4380x1860x1620, 53/60-litre fuel
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3550x1630x1490, 37-litre fuel 190bhp, 310lb ft
Performance 062 in 8.9secs, S-MAX
ABARTH 500 117mph, 44.8mpg, 166g/km The sporty MPV? well, ish. But the
Smacks drives well and is a sharp suit to
Short on talent, long on appeal, thats the Galaxys cardigan and corduroys.
the rufty-tufty Abarth. Pogo stick ride BMW X3
but ever so eager with it. Price 34,805 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Engine 1995cc 4cyl in-line, 2.0T Titan 31,285 7.9 146 240 250 34.0 194 7/10
1.4 T-Jet 135 14,560 7.9 127 135 148 43.5 155 7/10
190bhp, 295lb ft 2.0 TDCi Titan 26,445 9.2 127 163 251 49.6 152 8/10
595 1.4 Comp 18,990 7.4 130 162 148 43.5 155 7/10
Performance 062 in 8.1secs, 2.2 TDCi Titan 27,670 8.6 133 200 310 42.8 174 8/10
130mph, 54.3mpg, 138g/km Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4820x1880x1760, 70-litre fuel
tank, 185/610-litre boot, 2 engines, 3 trims, 8 models in total. tank, 308/2325-litre boot, 7 engines, 3 trims, 21 models in total.
GALAXY CR-V Q70
FORD-JAGUAR
Fords agship seven-seater oers extra A car engineered for accountants. Its a Rened, classy and quick, but as bland as
headroom, but is otherwise upstaged by great all-rounder but deeply boring with a Lexus and go carefully with the spec - its
the livelier and more desirable S-Max. it. There are few more reliable SUVs. your money you're throwing away.
1.6 TDCi Tit' 28,160 13.4 111 115 199 54.3 139 6/10 2.2 4WD SE 27,200 9.7 118 150 258 50.4 149 6/10 2.2d Premium 32,650 TBA TBA 170 295 57.6 129 TBA
2.0 TDCi Tit' 28,945 9.5 126 163 250 49.6 152 7/10 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4570x1820x1690, 58-litre fuel 3.5h Premium 42,500 TBA TBA 364 403 45.6 145 TBA
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4770x1880x1660, 70-litre fuel Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4950x1850x1500, 70/80-litre fuel
HYUNDAI tank, 350/450/500-litre boot, 3 engines, 5 trims, 9 models in total.
Clarkson on Hyundai:
DATA IN NUMBERS: CC PER SEAT Hyundai did rather well out of the scrappage scheme. DATA IN NUMBERS: DIESEL DO
But then, so did scrap dealers.
Engine cc per seat, Galaxy 1.6 TDCi 390cc Old Infiniti Q70 3.0 V6 diesel 37.7mpg, 199g/km
Engine cc per seat, Smart Fortwo 0.9 449cc I10 New Infiniti Q70 2.2d diesel 57.6mpg, 129g/km
Lacks the charisma of the Panda and the
KUGA sheer polish of the Up! but actually, if
you dont care about cars, buy this one. QX50
The Kuga has grown up and bought A crossover SUV thing thatll separate
some sensible slacks. Sure, its highly PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
you from the BMW X3 and Freelander
competent, but so are others. herds. Will anyone ever buy it o you?
1.0 S 8,595 14.9 96 66 69 60.1 108 8/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 1.2 SE 10,110 12.1 106 87 88 57.6 114 8/10 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.5T Titanium 26,810 9.7 121 150 177 45.6 143 6/10 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3665x1660x1500, 40-litre fuel 3.0d GT 38,963 7.9 137 235 406 33.2 224 5/10
2.0 TDCi AWD 26,345 9.2 126 180 295 54.3 135 6/10 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4650x1800x1500, 80-litre fuel tank,
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4520x1840x1700, 57-litre fuel I20 340/1175-litre boot, 2 engines, 3 trims, 5 models in total.
tank, 456/1653-litre boot, 4 engines, 4 trims, 16 models in total. Its the new i20! Its not that exciting! It
needs better engines! Otherwise a very
QX70
GINETTA worthy and competent supermini. Want to avoid a BMW X6 and associated
impressions of drug related violence?
The QX70 is an option.
Clarkson on Ginetta: PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Ginetta are based in Yorkshire. I thus hoped their cars 1.2 S Air
would be no nonsense. They are. 11,445 13.6 99 75 90 58.9 112 7/10 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.4 SE 13,325 11.6 114 100 99 51.4 127 7/10
G40 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4035x1734x1474, 50-litre fuel
5.0 V8 S Prem 54,025 5.8 155 390 368 21.6 307
6/10
Two-seat sports car thats not hugely tank, 301/1042-litre boot, 5 engines, 6 trims, 13 models in total. 410/1305-litre boot, 3 engines, 4 trims, 9 models in total.
powerful but feels quick because it weighs
I30
so little. Short on interior luxuries.
Coo, Hyundai seems to be catching up
with Kia in the design stakes, and catching
JAGUAR
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Clarkson on Jaguar:
2.0 R up with everyone else everywhere else. Still cars for the chap who takes his wife to dinner
29,950 5.8 140 175 140 29 181 TBA
then irts with the waitress all night. Good.
1.6 CRDi BD
PRICE
17,495
062 MPH BHP
11.5 115 110
LB FT
192
MPG CO2
76.3 97
RATING
7/10 XE
G60 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4300x1780x1470, 53-litre fuel Forget the F-Type, this is actually the most
important Jaguar of the last decade. Needs
Ginetta bought the stillborn Farbio and tank, 378/1316-litre boot, 5 engines, 5 trims, 18 models in total.
to banish all memory of the X-Type. Oops.
re-engineered it. Carbon-bodied G60 isnt
cheap, but looks and sounds great. I40 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Not long ago, a Hyundai would be beige
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING and so would its driver. The stylish i40 2.0T SE 26,995 7.7 147 200 206 37.7 179 TBA
3.7 V6 68,000 4.9 165 310 288 31 n/a 6/10 has changed all that. Estate is the pick. 2.0D 180 SE 30,275 7.8 140 180 317 67.3 109 TBA
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4220x1940x1050, 80-litre fuel tank, 3.0 V6 S/C S 44,870 5.1 155 340 332 34.9 194 TBA
200-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.7 CRDi Pre est 25,655 10.6 124 134 Euro NCAP n/a LxWxH in mm: 4672x1850x1416, 47/56/63-litre
240 62.8 119 7/10
HONDA
fuel tank, 450-litre boot, 5 engines, 5 trims, 14 models in total.
Clarkson on Honda:
XF
All that great engineering completely wasted on the
average buyer, who is still one hundred and eleventy.
IX35 Starting to slip o the pace, but XF is still
a judo chop to Jerrys solar plexus. Does
A weirdly unattractive compact SUV that luxury, dynamics and dares to be dierent.
JAZZ follows Hyundais general trend towards
being a lot less crap. You could do worse.
Individual and ingenious, the Jazz PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
deserves to be bought by more people XFR-S Sbrake 79,995 4.6 186 550 502 22.2 297 7/10
under ninety than it is. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
2.0 CRDi 4WD 23,000 11.3 112 136 224 51.4 145 5/10 2.2D 163 SE 29,945 9.8 130 163 295 57.6 129 7/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Sty Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4410x1820x1660, 58-litre fuel 3.0D S PL est 49,115 6.6 155 275 443 46.0 163 8/10
1.4 i-VTEC EX 15,995 11.8 113 98 94 50.4 129 7/10 tank, 591/1436-litre boot, 3 engines, 4 trims, 15 models in total. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4960x1880x1460, 70-litre fuel
1.3 Hybrid HE 17,150 12.1 109 88 89 62.8 104 7/10 SANTA FE tank, 540/923-litre boot, 6 engines, 7 trims, 29 models in total.

Can't aord a Disco? Then step this way,
as savvy Santa Fe shows there is another
XJ
way. Gymkhana mums might not agree. Zoinks. The XJ is rapid, rened and just
CIVIC plain beautiful. The interior is so special
we invented an award for it.
Looks like a facelift, but is actually an all PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
new model thats now quieter, more com- 2.2 CRDi Style 27,800 9.8 118 197 311 46.3 159 7/10 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
fortable and much less bonkers inside.
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4660x1890x1760, 70-litre fuel XJ L 3.0D Port 67,870 6.4 155 275 443 47.0 159 8/10
tank, 534-litre boot, 1 engine, 2 trims, 7 models in total.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING XJ L 3.0 SC Por 73,450 5.7 155 340 332 30.0 224 8/10
1.8 S-T 19,800 8.9 127 142
1.6 i-DTEC S-T 20,920 10.5 129 120
128
221
48.7 137
78.5 94
6/10
7/10
INFINITI Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5120/5250x1890x1490, 82-litre
Clarkson on Inniti:
1.6 i-DTEC S Est 21,375 10.1 121 120 221 74.3 99 6/10 Has anyone ever thought what I need is a posh
Datsun? I suspect the answer is no.
F-TYPE
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4300x1770x1470, 50-litre fuel Over-priced Cayman rival, or cut-price
Q50 911 alternative? Who cares, when the
F-Type is this sodding good?
CR-Z More sharply styled but otherwise anony-
mous saloon from Nissans lux wing. This
An award winner at TG back in 2010. Buck PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
time aimed at the BMW 3-Series.
Rogers styling, low emissions and a compel- 3.0 V6 S Coupe 60,250 4.9 171 380 339 31.8 213 8/10
ling balance of performance and economy.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 5.0 V8 R Coupe 85,025 4.2 186 550 501 25.5 259 9/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Q50 2.2d SE 27,950 8.5 140 170 295 65.0 114 7/10 3.0 V6 S Conv 67,520 4.9 171 380 339 31.0 213 7/10
1.5 hybrid Sport 21,125 9.5 124 137 140 56.5 116 7/10 Q50 Hybrid 40,005 5.2 155 364 402 43.0 144 7/10 5.0 V8 S Conv 79,985 4.3 186 495 460 25.5 259 8/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4080x1740x1400, 40-litre fuel Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4790x1820x1450, 74-litre fuel Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4470x1920x1300, 70-litre fuel
tank, 225/401-litre boot, 1 engine, 2 trims, 2 models in total. tank, 400/500-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 8 models in total. tank, 196/315-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 14 models in total.
JEEP
HOW TO AVENTADOR
JEEP-LAND ROVER
Murcielago replacement doesnt disap-
Clarkson on Jeep: point. A hint of Audi has crept in, but
As far as I can work out these are 4x4s for the person the Aventador is still bonkers.
who couldnt nd their local Land Rover dealer.
RENEGADE
SPEC A
LP 700-4 265,865 2.9 217 700 509 17.6 370 8/10
Meet the Fiat 500Xs Yankee cousin. The
stylings a bit yee-hah, but it drives with LP 700-4 Rster 294,665 3.0 217 700 509 17.6 370 8/10
Euro sophistication, with added fun.
n/a-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
1.6 Sport
1.4 MJet Longi
16,995 11.9 111
19,795 10.9 112
112
142
112
170
47.1 141
47.1 140
6/10
6/10
LAND ROVER
Clarkson on Land Rover:
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4236x1805x1667, 48-litre fuel Have you seen the grille on the latest Range Rover?
tank, 351/1356-litre boot, 5 engines, 5 trims, 15 models in total. Good cars ruined by increasing bling.
CHEROKEE DEFENDER
After a leave of absence, the Cherokee Still going, still a workhorse farmers
is back to do battle with the Freelander. cart, where practicality and toughness
Its priced well and looks... interesting. outweigh, well, everything really.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
2.0 CRD 140 25,495 10.9 116 140 258 53.3 139 6/10 2.2D XS 110 33,005 14.7 90 122 265 25.5 295 8/10
2.0 CRD 170 4x4 29,995 10.3 119 170 258 48.7 154 6/10 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 3890/4640x1790x2020, 60-litre fuel
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4623x1859x1669, 60-litre fuel tank, 1600/2300-litre boot, 1 engine, 3 trims, 6 models in total.
GRAND CHEROKEE DISCOVERY SPORT

Freelander gets a new name, and much
Jeep may be under Fiat's control, but more besides. Not cheap, but is what
AUDI S1
no-one appears to have told the Grand yummy-mummys will be driving this year.
Cherokee. See also Chrysler 300C.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 2.2 SD4 SE 32,395 9.8 117 190 310 46.3 162 8/10
6.4 V8 SRT 60,720 5.0 160 461 460 20.0 328 6/10 Basic price 24,555 2.2 SD4 9sp HSE 39,395 8.4 117 190 310 44.8 166 8/10
3.0 CRD Oland 46,405 8.2 126 237 405 37.7 198 6/10 Engine 1984cc, 4cyl turbo, 231bhp, Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4599xTBAx1724, 68-litre fuel
272lb ft, 40.4mpg, 162g/km tank, TBA-litre boot, 1 engine, 4 trims, 4 models in total.
Performance 062mph 5.8secs, 155mph

KIA Weight 1,315kg DATA IN NUMBERS: BOXING CLEVER
Clarkson on Kia: Colour Vegas Yellow (475) 0-62mph advantage, Disco Sport auto v manual 1.4secs
Former providers of our Reasonably Priced Car. At
least I think they are. Its quite easy to forget. Wheels 18-inch 5 spoke S alloys (0) Power advantage, Disco Sport auto v manual 0 bhp
Trim quattro interior styling package - black
PICANTO leather with coloured backrests (1,695) DISCOVERY
A Kia cracker. Latest Picanto looks The best practical SUV on sale. Massive
good, drives well, costs little and is Standard equipment Xenon headlamps, inside, thoughtful design, astonishing
warrantied to the max. ability. Revised once again in 2014.
electronic climate control, DAB digital radio,
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Options Comfort pack (525), BOSE PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.0 1 3d 8,145 13.9 95 68 70 67.3 99 7/10 sound system (690), quattro exterior 3.0 SDV6 SE 41,595 8.8 112 256 443 35.3 213 9/10
1.25 2 5d 10,545 11.0 106 85 89 65.7 100 7/10 styling pack (1,245), Technology pack Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4830x1880x1890, 84-litre fuel
tank, 280/2560-litre boot, 1 engine, 4 trims, 4 models in total.
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3600x1600x1480, 35-litre fuel (1,495), High-gloss black styling pack
(475), Folding mirrors (125), Roof RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
CEED contrast line (350), Heated seats (215) A Range Rover for a younger, more
Still a white goods car, but now its white stylish, more urban audience. One for
goods by John Lewis. Build quality is a fashionistas, not farmers.
rival for VW now, as is much else.

TOTAL PRICE 31,845 2.0 Si4 Dy L 3d
46,660 7.1 135 240 250 36.2 181 8/10
1.6 CRDi 4 21,895 10.5 122 126 192 65.7 112 7/10 2.2 eD4 Pure 29,205 10.6 112 150 280 56.3 133 7/10
1.6T 3d GT 20,000 7.4 143 201 195 38.2 171 7/10 SD4 4WD Dyn 38,805 9.5 124 190 310 49.6 149 8/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4310x1780x1470, 53-litre fuel Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4360x1960x11610, 60/70-litre
tank, 380/1318-litre boot, 3 engines, 5 trims, 18 models in total. fuel tank, 550/1445-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 12 models in total.
SPORTAGE RANGE ROVER SPORT

One of the best-looking compact SUVs, A prettier RRS would be a contradiction in
but weird habits stop it being as good to terms, but the new one denitely comes
drive as it is to look at. with less thuggishness.
1.7 CRDi 2WD 2 21,200 11.9 107 114 188 54.3 135 6/10 5.0 SC Autobio 81,550 5.0 155 510 460 22.1 298 9/10
2.0 CRDi KX-4 28,200 9.4 120 181 282 46.3 158 6/10 3.0 SDV6 HSE 59,995 6.8 130 292 442 37.7 199 9/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4440x1860x1650, 58-litre fuel 3.0H SDV6 Hyb 81,550 6.4 130 345 517 44.1 169 9/10
tank, 564/1353-litre boot,4 engines, 6 trims, 9 models in total.
LAMBORGHINI tank, 784/1761-litre boot, 5 engines, 5 trims, 7 models in total.
Clarkson on Lamborghini: RANGE ROVER

Even Audi being in charge cant stop Lambos being This is not an SUV. Thats too common
mad cars for those who think Ferraris are too sober. a badge. Instead, think go-anywhere
luxury car. Or GALC. Hmm, catchy.
HURACAN AWARDS WINNER 2014
Lambos riposte to the 458 and 650S. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Smoother, slicker, but is still essentially 5.0 SC Autobi 98,455 5.1 140 510 461 20.5 322 8/10
Gallardo v.2.0.
3.0 TDV6 Vogue
ogue 71,320 7.4 130 258 442 37.7 196 9/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 3.0 Hybrid SDV6 98,425 6.9 135 340 517 44.1 169 8/10
LP 610-4 181,865 3.2 202 610 413 22.6 290 9/10 4.4 SDV8 Vge SE 84,740 6.5 135 340 517 32.5 229 9/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4459x1924x1165, 80-litre fuel tank, Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5000x2070x1840, 85/105-litre fuel
TBA-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total. tank, 909/2030-litre boot, 4 engines, 3 trims, 8 models in total.
TOPGEAR TOP FIVE
LEXUS-MAZDA
LEXUS MASERATI
Clarkson on Lexus: Clarkson on Maserati:
Well made, quiet, sensible. But then so is my bank
manager, and I dont want to drive round in him. SHORTEST WHEELBASE A brand made for the Cool Wall. So eortlessly cool,
you dont mind the fact theyre not very good.
IS GHIBLI
3-Series drive too well for you? Then buy 1 Maserati builds a BMW 5-Series. Its
this, its worse. In other areas, IS gives the available with a diesel engine. Well, they
Germans a much tougher time. Renault think its a good idea.
Twizy
IS 250 SE
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 1684mm 3.0 V6
52,290 5.6 163 330 369 29.4 223
MPG CO2 RATING
7/10
26,495 8.1 143 205 185 32.8 199 7/10
IS 300h SE 29,495 8.3 125 220 163 65.7 99 7/10 3.0 V6 TT S 63,435 5.0 177 410 405 27.2 242 8/10
tank, 450/480-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 8 models in total. 2 3.0 V6 Diesel
Euro NCAP
48,835 6.3 155 275 442 47.9 158
7/10
RC F Smart tank, 500-litre boot, 3 engine, 2 trims, 3 models in total.
Bit heavier than we hoped, but roaring

Fortwo QUATTROPORTE
V8 is sure to give BMWs M4 a few
headaches. Good thing, too. 1873mm Noooo what have they done? The old
one was soul personied, this looks a
bit... meh. Still, at least it drives better.
5.0 V8 59,995 4.5 167 450 384 26.2 252 7/10 3 3.0 TT V6
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4705x1845x1390, 66-litre fuel tank, 80,115 4.9 177 410 405 26.9 244 8/10
366-litre boot, 1 engine, 2 trims, 2 models in total. Toyota 3.8 TT V8 108,185 4.7 190 530 523 23.7 278 8/10
IQ
GS 2000mm
Latest version of Lexus 5-Series wan-
nabe thats famous for coming in high-
tech hybrid guise. This is expensive. GRANTURISMO
Muscular, pretty coupe that's more GT
4 than sports car. Nothing wrong there
and the MC Strad has bite if you need it.
GS 300h SE 31,495 9.2 119 184 163 60.1 109 6/10 Volkswagen
GS 450h F Sport 51,495 5.9 155 349 254 45.6 145 6/10 XL1 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
4.7 460 Sport 90,810 4.8 185 460 383 19.7 331 8/10
2224mm 4.7 MC Stradale 110,135 4.5 188 450 376 19.5 337 8/10
4.7 GranCabrio 98,340 5.2 177 440 361 19.5 337 8/10
DATA IN NUMBERS: EXECUTIVE MOVE
5 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4880x1920x1350, 86-litre fuel
Lexus GS 300h petrol 60.1mpg, 109g/km
BMW 520d diesel 62.8mpg, 119g/km
Caterham
Seven MAZDA
Clarkson on Mazda:
NX 2225mm Despite brave new looks, Mazdas are still as boring
as a tax seminar in Kettering. How do they do that?
Curious, Lexus sees the need to cross
an SUV with a sharp object in a not
altogether happy alliance. 2
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING LONGEST WHEELBASE The last 2 was a sleeper it never set out
to be sparky, but somehow achieved it.
Same again. Just with a hint more polish.
NX 300h SE 31,495 9.3 112 200 152 54.3 121 5/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4630x1845x1645, 56-litre fuel 1 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Rolls-Royce 1.5 SE 11,995 12.1 106 75 100 60.1 110 7/10
LOTUS Phantom EWB

3820mm
1.5 Sport Nav 17,395 8.7 124 115 109 56.5 117
7/10
Clarkson on Lotus: tank, 280/950-litre boot, 4 engines, 4 trims, 12 models in total.

What is Lotus? No-ones sure. Perhaps one day itll
build cars again and make its resurrection stick.
3
ELISE 2 The 6s design language moves to the 3. So
does the handling verve. After that were
Still a joy, the current Elise oers vis- less sure why youd have one over a Golf.
ceral driving thrills in a relatively usable Rolls-Royce
package. This is steering feel. Phantom PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 3570mm 1.5 SE 16,695 10.8 113 100 110 55.4 119 6/10
1.6 Standard 28,889 6.0 127 134 118 45.0 149 8/10 2.0 Sport Nav 21,620 8.2 130 165 154 48.7 135 6/10
1.8 S 36,965 4.6 145 220 185 37.5 175 8/10 2.2D SE 19,245 8.1 130 150 280 68.9 107 7/10
3 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4465x1795x1450, 51-litre fuel
Rolls-Royce
EVORA Ghost EWB 6
Handsome mid-size saloon with some
Updated in 2012 with a much improved
interior. Brilliant as ever to drive. Down- 3465mm clever engine tech underneath. Drives
sides? Porsches latest 911... well, possibly a bit middle management.

4
3.5 Standard 52,819 4.9 162 276 258 30.3 217 8/10 2.0 165 Sport 23,495 9.1 134 165 154 47.8 135 6/10
3.5 S 62,039 4.6 172 345 295 28.7 229 8/10 2.2D Sport 25,595 7.8 129 175 309 62.7 119 7/10
Rolls-Royce
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4340x1850x1220, 55-litre fuel tank, Phantom Coupe Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4870x1840x1450, 62-litre fuel
160-litre boot, 2 engines, 2 trims, 4 models in total. tank, 489-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 13 models in total.
3320mm
EXIGE S MX-5
Lotus track car has grown up and got Still one of the best two-seat roadsters
heavier. But dont worry, this makes it on the market. Not hugely powerful,
more usable. Deliriously good to drive. 5 but that's not the point. A sweetie.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Rolls-Royce PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
3.5 V6 Standard 54,389 4.0 170 345 295 28.0 236 9/10 Ghost 1.8 126 SE s/t 18,495 9.9 121 126 123 39.8 167 7/10
3.5 V6 Roadster 54,389 3.8 145 345 295 28.0 236 8/10 3295mm 2.0 Sport Tec RC 23,095 7.9 136 160 138 36.2 181 7/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4050x1800x1150, 40-litre fuel tank, Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4020x1720x1260, 50-litre fuel
n/a-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total. tank, 150-litre boot, 2 engines, 3 trims, 5 models in total.
CX-5 C-CLASS SLK
MAZDA-MERCEDES-BENZ
AWARDS WINNER 2014
Mazda says the design is radical. It isnt. What we know about the new C: it has Third-gen SLK still hasn't got the
But much else is. Clever engines, good a nice cabin, it has to beat the BMW dynamic talent it needs. Gadgets galore,
dynamics and lots of space inside. 3-Series. Not an enviable task. including a roof which changes opacity.
2.0 2WD SE-L 21,595 9.2 124 165 155 47.1 139 8/10 C 200 SE 26,855 7.5 147 184 221 53.3 123 8/10 SLK 350 BE Sp 44,605 5.6 155 306 272 39.8 167 6/10
2.2D 2WD Sp 25,695 9.2 126 150 280 61.4 119 8/10 C 220 BT SE 29,365 7.7 145 170 295 70.6 103 8/10 SLK 55 AMG 55,345 4.6 155 421 398 33.6 195 7/10
2.2D 4WD Sport 27,695 8.8 129 175 309 54.3 136 8/10 C 220 BT AMG L 32,855 7.7 145 170 295 70.6 106 8/10 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4130x1810x1300, 66-litre fuel
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4560x1840x1710, 56-litre fuel Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4685x1810x1447, 66-litre fuel
tank, 503/1620-litre boot, 2 engines, 3 trims, 6 models in total. tank, 480-litre boot, 7 engines, 5 trims, 38 models in total.
SL-CLASS
McLAREN E-CLASS Perhaps the best all-round, usable hard-
top convertible on sale today. Practical,
Clarkson on McLaren: Ooh, fancy nose! Better than the A-Class's. fast, excellent quality and dynamics.
Merc's big exec has got its mojo back. Self-
Supercar rms should be founded by men with condent, relaxed and rened.
names like Enzo. Not ones like Ron. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
SL 500 81,915 4.6 155 435 516 31.0 212 8/10
650S E 63 AMG
PRICE 062 MPH BHP
75,905 4.3 155 557 531 28.3 234
LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
9/10
SL 63 V8 AMG 112,510 4.2 155 537 590 28.5 231 8/10
Not a facelifted 12C, says McLaren, but an SL 65 V8 AMG 170,815 4.0 155 630 737 24.4 270 8/10
all new car. Has a P1 nose, more speed, is E 220 BT SE Est 36,060 8.8 136 177 295 60.1 124 7/10
the car the 12C should have been. E 350 BT AMG 43,015 6.6 155 258 457 51.4 142 7/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4870x1850x1470, 59-litre fuel AWARDS WINNER 2014
650S
195,250 3.0 207 650 500 24.2 275
MPG CO2 RATING
9/10
tank, 540-litre boot, 7 engines, 6 trims, 24 models in total. AMG GT
650S Spider AMG gets serious about hammering Por-
215,250 3.2 207 650 500 24.2 275 9/10 sche. Doesnt quite have a 911s nesse,
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4512x1910x1199, 72-litre fuel DATA IN NUMBERS: POWER RANGER but boy does it make you feel good.
tank, 145-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
E 220 CDI 177bhp PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
P1 E 63 AMG S 585bhp (3.3 times more) GT 97,195 4.0 189 462 443 30.4 216 9/10
Same carbon tub as the 12C, same base GT S 110,495 3.8 193 517 480 30.1 219 9/10
V8; but ve times the price. Yin to the
LaFerrari's yang. Well done, Ron. S-CLASS AWARDS WINNER 2014
Meet the car that has single-handedly
P1
PRICE 062 MPH BHP
866,000 2.8 217 916
LB FT MPG
664 34.0 194
CO2 RATING
10/10
saved the luxury car class from the SUV
incursion. Sublime in most ways. GLA
On paper little more than a pointless cu-
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4700x2000x1110, n/a-litre fuel riosity, but in reality a rather well judged
tank, 120-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
crossover. Better than the CLA at least.
S 400 L Hybrid 69,905 6.8 155 333 272 44.8 147 9/10
MERCEDES-BENZ S 500 L
S 350 BlueTEC
88,395 4.8 155 455
62,905 6.8 155 258
516 31.7 207
457 51.4 146
9/10
9/10 GLA 200 CDI
PRICE 062 MPH BHP
25,850 10.0 127 136
LB FT MPG
221 62.8 119
CO2 RATING
8/10
Clarkson on Mercedes-Benz:
Sensible diesels and mentalist AMGs, with so many Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5110/5250x1900x1490, 70/80-litre GLA 250 4Matic 29,915 7.1 143 211 250 42.8 154 8/10
cars in between theyre going to run out of letters. fuel tank, 510/530-litre boot, 7 engines, 3 trims, 11 models in total.
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4417x1804x1494, 50/56-litre fuel
A-CLASS CLS-CLASS tank, 481-litre boot, 3 engines, 8 trims, 23 models in total.
M-CLASS
MAZDA-MERCEDES-BEN
Despite the bulbous drunkards nose, One of the most competent cars in
this is a conventional hatch. Watch the Mercs range. It no longer denes cool
spec or you'll muck it up. like the rst one, but it's all top drawer. Latest M-Class does nothing to lift it
above rivals, except look a bit strange.
Which is hardly encouraging for buyers.
A 250 by AMG 29,360 6.6 149 211 258 44.1 148 5/10 CLS 63 AMG S 86,500 4.1 155 593 590 28.5 231 8/10 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
A 45 AMG 38,195 4.6 155 365 332 40.9 161 8/10 CLS 350 BTEC 49,940 6.5 155 265 457 52.3 142 8/10 ML 250 48,190 9.0 130 204 369 46.3 159 7/10
A 180 CDI SE 21,965 11.3 118 109 191 78.5 92 6/10 CLS 63 AMG SB 87,000 4.2 155 593 590 28.0 235 9/10 ML 350 BlueTec 51,335 7.4 139 258 457 39.2 189 7/10
A 200 CDI AMG S 25,110 9.3 130 136 221 64.2 116 6/10 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4920x1850x1470, 580-litre fuel tank, ML 63 AMG 86,995 4.8 155 525 517 23.9 276 7/10
S-CLASS COUPE
B-CLASS Loads of tech, loads of power, loads of GL-CLASS

class, quite a bit of cash. New coupe is The GL is basically the even bigger, seven-
This Volkswagen Golf SV rival remains good enough to justify it all.
oddly proportioned but has plenty of seat version of the ML. Able to change
tech inside. Not to mention space. weather systems as it drives along.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING S 500 96,565 4.6 155 455 516 30.0 219 9/10 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
B 180 CDI SE 5d 22,575 11.6 118 109 184 68.9 108 6/10 S 63 AMG 125,595 4.3 155 585 663 27.9 237 9/10 GL 350 AMG Sp 60,750 7.9 137 258 457 35.3 209 7/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4360x1790x1560, 50-litre fuel Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5027x1899x1411, 80-litre fuel Euro NCAP n/a LxWxH in mm: 5100x1920x1840, 45-litre fuel
tank, 488-litre boot, 5 engines, 3 trims, 17 models in total. tank, 400-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 3 models in total. tank, 360/2200-litre boot, 2 engines, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
MG TOPGEAR TOP FIVE MITSUBISHI
MG-MORGAN
Clarkson on MG:
Reborn British sports car maker. Now about as British
as crispy duck and chiu-chao dumplings.
EXECUTIVE CARS Clarkson on Mitsubishi:
The Evo is dead so the entire range is meaningless.
Burberry enthusiasts must shop elsewhere.
1 BMW 530D SE EVO FQ-440
MG3 Price 41,455
After the startling success of the MG6, Clarkson isnt wrong. The Evo is dead.
MG unleashes a supermini on the world. Specs 266bhp, 398lb ft, 0-62mph Apart from these 40 special models.
Pricey? Yes. Fast? Youd better believe it.
World can hardly believe its luck. 5.8secs, VMax 155mph, 55.4mpg,
CO2 134g/km PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.5 VTi-TECH 8,399 10.9 108 106 101 48.7 136 5/10 Evo FQ-440 MR 50,915 TBA TBA 440 412 TBA TBA TBA
The 5-Series stands clear at the top of the class. Others Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4505x1810x1481, 55-litre fuel
tank, 285-litre boot, 1 engine, 4 trims, 4 models in total.
come close in some areas, but none manages the tank, TBA-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
5-Series breadth of excellence across the board.

MINI DATA IN NUMBERS: POWERHOUSE
Clarkson on Mini:
The hatch is a cute, cool, fun car built in Oxford. The
2 MERCEDES E350 Evo FQ-440 power per corner 110bhp/wheel
BLUETEC AMG LINE
less said about the rest of the range, the better.
Price 41,210 Specs 261bhp, 457lb OUTLANDER
MINI HATCH ft, 0-62mph 6.4secs, VMax 155mph, No-nonsense seven-seat SUV. Fair to
middling. Plug-in hybrid version oered
Yes, its bigger, and no, that isnt neces- 53.3mpg, CO2 139g/km too. No one will buy that one either.
sarily a good thing. Apart from that, the
new Mini is predictably excellent. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
New nose, new lease of life. The E-Class has always come
2.0 PHEV GX3h 33,304 11.0 106 163 245 148.7 44 6/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING across as slightly austere compared to more welcoming
2.2 DI-D GX2 23,984 10.2 124 150 280 53.3 138 5/10
One 13,750 9.9 121 103 133 61.4 108 7/10 rivals, but theres no denying the ability on ofer.
Cooper 15,300 7.9 130 136 162 62.7 105 8/10 tank, 550/1755-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 7 models in total.
Cooper S 18,650 6.8 146 192 206 49.5 133 8/10
3 JAGUAR XF 3.0D
Cooper D
Cooper 5dr
16,450
15,900
9.2
8.2
127
129
116
136
199
162
80.7
60.1
92
109
8/10
7/10
S LUXURY MORGAN
Price 46,615 Specs 275bhp, Clarkson on Morgan:
Cooper SD 5dr 20,050 7.4 140 170 266 68.9 109 7/10 Hammond has one but dont let that put you o.
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3821/3982x1727x1414, 40/44-litre
443lb ft, 0-62mph 6.4secs, VMax Actually, do. Who wants a car made of wood?
155mph, 47.0mpg, CO2 159g/km
3WHEELER
CLUBMAN The car that proved Jag did know how to build an Eccentric and impractical, but for putting
a smile on your face, nothing this side of
The rst wilfully dierent Mini. Small and executive to rival the Germans. Beat them in fact. a Tiger Moth competes.
impractical with silly doors that some
people actually found useful. Shame that development hasnt quite kept pace since.
2.0 Bespoke 2d 30,000 4.5 120 110 100 n/a n/a 8/10
Cooper S
PRICE
19,500
062 MPH BHP
7.5 141 184
LB FT MPG
177 47.9 137
CO2 RATING
6/10 4 AUDI A6 3.0 BITDI 320 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: n/a, 40-litre fuel tank, n/a-litre boot,
Cooper SD 20,180 8.6 134 143 224 64.2 115 7/10 QUATTRO SE 1 engine, 2 trims, 2 models in total.
Price 46,125 Specs 317bhp, CLASSIC

Z
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 3940x1680x143, 40/50-litre fuel tank,

260/930-litre boot, 7 engines, 7 trims, 7 models in total. 479lb ft, 0-62mph 5.0secs, VMax The only car to look like a restoration
COUPE/ROADSTER 155mph, 47.1mpg, CO2 159g/km when actually new. The reasonably new
Plus 8 is a fearsomely fast thing.
You like to be dierent, dont you? Youll
pay more for an inferior product? You Not the cheapest A6, it must be said, but by far and
like ugly? Why, just step this way. away the fastest and most interesting. Lesser ones fall 2.0 Plus 4 36,290 7.5 118 154 148 40.4 164 6/10
short of BMW/Merc standards, but not the BiTDI. 4.8 Plus 8 85,200 4.5 155 367 370 23.0 282 7/10
Cooper S Coupe 19,990 6.9 143 184 192 48.7 136 4/10 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4010x1500/1720x1220, 50-litre
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 3730x1680x1380, 50-litre fuel 5 TESLA MODEL S fuel tank, n/a-litre boot, 4 engines, 6 trims, 6 models in total.
Price 49,900-68,700 AERO 8
PACEMAN Specs 416bhp, 443lb ft, 0-62mph Some ash still lurks in the frame of this
sports car. Creaks a bit, but otherwise
Another car we didnt ask for, from a 4.2secs, VMax 130mph, NAmpg, not as antiquated as you might think.
rm with seemingly few ideas. Whats CO2 0g/km, 265-mile range
the Paceman for, Mini?
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Proof that it is possible to do things diferently in this 4.8 V8 Coupe 99,950 4.5 170 367 370 23.0 282 8/10
Cooper S 22,350 7.4 137 190 192 47.1 139 5/10 market. Like be powered by electricity and have a 4.8 V8 Ssports 126,900 4.5 170 367 370 26.0 256 8/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4110x1790x1520, 47-litre fuel hatchback. Tesla is here and its rather awesome. Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4120x1770x1200, 57-litre fuel
tank, 330/1080-litre boot, 4 engines, 4 trims, 7 models in total. tank, 227-litre boot, 1 engine, 2 trims, 2 models in total.
NISSAN TOPGEAR TOP FIVE 370Z
NISSAN-PEUGEOT
Z still looks great, but wheres the re-
Clarkson on Nissan:
The GT-R is quite exciting. It tries to oset the rest of
the range, which isnt.
ROADSTERS breathing manliness of the old one, Nissan?
GT86 has highlighted its shortcomings.
NOTE 1 PORSCHE BOXSTER PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
New nose, same commodious cabin. Price 38,810 3.7 V6 Standard 27,015 5.3 155 326 269 26.9 249 7/10
Otherwise precious little to tempt Specs 265bhp, 206lb ft, 0-62mph 3.7 V6 GT Rster 37,015 5.5 155 326 269 25.2 262 7/10
Doris out of her Jazz.
5.8secs, VMax 164mph, 34.4mpg, Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4250x1850x1320, 72-litre fuel
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING CO2 192g/km
1.2 DIG-S 14,495 11.7 112 98 108 65.7 99 5/10
Its hard to think of many ways in which the Boxster
GT-R
Cheap at twice the price, the GT-R is an
tank, 325-litre boot, 3 engines, 4 trims, 12 models in total. could be bettered. A V8 maybe? Or perhaps wings? uber-techy, violently capable, ruthlessly
JUKE Even in base trim, brilliant doesnt begin to cover it. rapid speed machine. Drive one.
Clever little SUV crossover that looks PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
like... well, looks like nothing else we can
think of. Very nice, if a little odd. 2 FERRARI 458 SPIDER 3.8 V6 550 78,020 2.8 196 550 466 24.0 275 10/10
Price 198,936 3.8 V6 Nismo 125,000 <2.7 TBA 600 466 TBA TBA 10/10
1.6 94 Visia
Specs 562bhp, 398lb ft, 0-62mph Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4670x1895x1370, 74-litre fuel
13,420 12.0 104 94 103 47.1 138 5/10
3.4secs, VMax 198mph, 21.2mpg,
NOBLE
1.6 DiG-T 190 21,420 8.4 124 190 184 38.2 169 6/10
CO2 307g/km
tank, 350/1181-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 15 models in total. Clarkson on Noble:
Worse than the 12C? Thats a tough call, but unlike
PULSAR the McLaren, this Spider isnt as stif as its coupe
Designed in Leicestershire by blokes using bits of the
industrial revolution. Despite that, brilliant.
Years spent sorting its crossovers mean counterpart. But in every other area its a divine thing.
Nissan has lost its hatchback touch.
Pulsar is gloriously average.
M600
Powered by a twin turbo Volvo XC90
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 3 MCLAREN 650S SPIDER V8, the old school M600 is epically fast
and amazingly supple. Major want.
1.2 DiG-T 15,995 10.8 118 115 140 56.5 117 3/10 Price 195,500
1.5 dCi 110 17,595 11.5 115 110 192 78.5 94 3/10 Specs 625bhp, 442lb ft, 0-62mph PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4387x1768x1520, 46-litre fuel 3.1secs, VMax 204mph, 24.2mpg, 4.4 V8 T 650 200,000 3.0 225 650 604 n/a n/a 9/10
CO2 279g/km Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4360x1910x1120, 68-litre fuel tank,
LEAF n/a-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
The rst mass-produced leccy car. Its

impressive, but our infrastructure needs
sorting before it really makes sense.
No-one could accuse the baby Mac of being
dispassionate anymore. Lunatic speed from 650S, with a PAGANI
Clarkson on Pagani:
ride and handling balance to shame the best. Simply epic. Paganis are everything a supercar should be: epically
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING fast and madder than a stabbed badger.
EV Visia
Euro NCAP
26,490 11.9 90 109 206 n/a 0
LxWxH in mm: 4450x1780x1570, no fuel tank,
7/10
4 JAGUAR F-TYPE V6S HUAYRA
330/680-litre boot, 1 electric motor, 3 trims, 3 models in total. Price 67,535 The name is what you exclaim when
you nail the throttle in this twin turbo
QASHQAI Specs 375bhp, 339lb ft, 0-62mph
FOR ALL THE FACTS A
NISSAN-PEUGE
V12d, active aerod hypercar.

Nissan started the Qashqai craze, so the 4.9secs, VMax 171mph, 31.0mpg,
new one is predictably safe. Its better CO2 213g/km PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
than ever for, you know, family stu. 6.0 V12 990,000 n/a 230 730 811 23.5 300 8/10

Do not mistake this for a GT. Voluptuous bodywork and Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4610x2040x1170, 85-litre fuel tank,
n/a-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
1.2 DiG-T Visia 17,595 11.3 114 115 140 50.4 132 8/10
front engine disguise a two-seater thats poised, precise
1.6 dCi Visia 20,595 10.5 118 130
1.6 dCi 4WD Ac 25,695 10.9 118 130
236 64.2 115 8/10
and fun. V8S a hooligan, base V6 a touch sensible.
PEUGEOT
236 57.6 129 8/10 Clarkson on Peugeot:
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4370x1800x1595, 65-litre 5 MERCEDES SL500 208 GTi might be the beginning of a revolution at
Peugeot. Time and the eurozone crisis will tell.
Price 81,915
X-TRAIL Specs 435bhp, 516lb ft, 0-62mph 108
The X-Trail used to be a rufty-tufty 4.6secs, VMax 155mph, 31.0mpg, Now more rened and comfortable.
thing. Now its been emasculated. As a Can be had with a 1.2. Have the 1.0.
result, we think its better. Fickle, us? CO2 212g/km Thats the one Toyota made.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING The consummate professional. This V8 SL500 is now PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.6 dCi 130 Visia 22,995 10.5 117 130 236 57.6 129 8/10 solely ofered in AMG Sport spec but youll still relax 1.0 69 Access 3d 8,245 14.3 99 69 70 68.9 95 6/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4643x1820x1695, 60-litre fuel into one of the worlds best all-rounders. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3475x1615x1460, 35-litre fuel
tank, 135(550)/1982-litre boot, 1 engine, 4 trims, 14 models in total. tank, 196/780-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 12 models in total.
208 TOPGEAR TOP TEN PORSCHE
PEUGEOT-PORSCHE
Congratulations Peugeot, its only taken
you 25 years to reimagine the 205. 208 is
light, likeable and French. In a good way. LARGEST BOOT SUB 4 METRES Clarkson on Porsche:
Hammond has a Porsche. So does May. Under Cool
Wall rules, that makes them as cool as plastic shoes.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP
1.2 VTi Acve 3d 12,695 12.2 109 83 87 62.8 104
6/10
1 6 BOXSTER
The best sports-roadster on sale, bar
1.6 THP GTi 18,900 6.8 143 200 202 47.9 139 7/10 none. Dont shop anywhere else if you
1.6 e-HDi Allure 16,445 12.2 115 92 169 74.3 98 can aord it. S betters Jaguar F-Type...
6/10
2.7 265 38,810 5.8 164 265 206 34.4 192 10/10
Citroen Nemo Honda Jazz
308 Multispace Hybrid 3.4 315 S 47,035 5.1 173 315 265 32.1 205 10/10
3.4 GTS 52,879 5.0 174 330 272 31.4 211 10/10
Well, knock us down with a feather, out
of nowhere, Peugeot gives us a hatch 356 litres 300 litres Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4370x1800x1280, 64-litre fuel
good to drive and own. Gobs smacked. tank, 130/280-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 3 models in total.

2 7 CAYMAN
1.6 THP Allure 20,150 8.4 132 156 177 48.7 134 8/10 The 911s poor relation? Only if youre a
1.6 e-HDi Active 19,095 10.2 121 115 199 76.3 95 8/10 social climber. The Cayman is the purer,
more satisfying drivers car.
508 Peugeot Ford

2.7 275
3.4 325 S
39,694 5.7 165 275 213 34.4 192
48,783 5.0 175 325 273 32.1 206
8/10
10/10
Peugeots replacement for the 407 is Bipper Tepee Fiesta
actually quite nice in an average sort of 3.4 GTS 55,397 4.9 177 340 280 31.4 211 10/10
way. Just been facelifted. 356 litres 290 litres Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4380x1800x1300, 64-litre fuel tank,
2.0 HDi Active 911
Euro NCAP
22,445 10.8 130 140 236 61.4 119
5/10
3 8 Styling is evolutionary and cabin shared
tank, 473-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 17 models in total. with Panamera, but this is Porsche prov-
ing it's the worlds best sports car builder.
RCZ PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Peugeots stunning coupe marks a 3.8 Carrera S 83,545 4.5 188 400 324 29.7 224 9/10
renaissance. Good-looking, fun to drive,
tolerable value. Now go buy an Audi TT. Honda Toyota 3.8 C4 GTS 95,862 4.4 188 440 324 28.5 233 9/10
Jazz Yaris 3.8 GT3 100,540 3.5 196 475 324 22.7 289 10/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP
1.6 THP 200 GT 26,900 7.6 146 200 206 42.1 155
7/10
337 litres 286 litres 3.8 Turbo S 142,120 3.1 197 560 552 29.1 227 8/10
RCZ R 32,000 5.9 155 270 244 44.8 145 7/10 135-litre boot, 6 engines, 10 trims, 20 models in total.
2.0 HDi 163 GT 26,350 8.7 137 163 240 53.2 139
7/10
4 9 918 SPYDER AWARDS WINNER 2014
tank, 309-litre boot, 4 engines, 3 trims, 6 models in total. Quite possibly the most complex car in
the world. But it all works, and is mind-
ND STATS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EVERY CAR ON SALE IN THE UK GO TO TOPGEAR.COM/REVIEWS
EOT
2008 bending. Also quite fast.
High-rise supermini that's increasingly PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
popular in the wake of the Juke. A little
mash-up which just about works. Skoda Peugeot 918 659,775 2.8 211 885 801 85 79 10/10
Fabia 208 918 Weissach 720,914 2.8 211 885 801 85 79 10/10
PRICE 0-62 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.2 VTi Access+ 12,995 13.5 105 82 87 57.6 114 5/10
330 litres 285 litres Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4643x1940x1167, 70-litre fuel tank,
1.6 e-HDi Feline 19,445 10.4 117 115 199 70.6 106 6/10
PANAMERA
5 10
tank, 360/1172-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 15 models in total. Four-door, four-seat family Porsche. Very
fast, quite hard to fall in love with, apart
5008 from the rather outrageous GTS model.
Large seven-seat MPV that looks pretty PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
good and does everything a family might
want, although its less brilliant to drive. 4.8 V8 GTS 93,391 4.5 179 400 368 25.4 260 7/10
Citroen Citroen 4.8 V8 Turbo S 131,152 3.8 192 570 552 27.7 239 6/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING C3 DS3 3.0 V6 Diesel 65,289 6.8 150 250 405 43.5 172 6/10
2.0 HDi Active E-Hybrid
23,450 10.0 121 150 251 53.3 138 5/10 300 litres 285 litres 89,327 5.5 167 338 325 91.0 71 6/10
tank, 679/2506-litre boot, 6 engines, 3 trims, 13 models in total. 445/1263-litre boot, 8 engines, 8 trims, 9 models in total.
MACAN
TOPGEAR TOP TEN CLIO
PORSCHE-ROLLS-ROYCE
Porsches Range Rover Evoque is a tidy A return to form for Renault. Clio 4 is
MOST ECO 4WD

looker that has image by the bucket- good-looking and drives well. Just avoid
load. Thus, soon to be everywhere... the gutless lower-powered 1.2 petrol.
S
Turbo
43,300 5.4 157 340 339 32.5 204
59,300 4.8 165 400 405 31.7 208
8/10
8/10
1 0.9 TCe Dyn
1.2 GT-Line
14,195 12.2 113 90 99 62.8 104 7/10
17,395 9.9 124 120 140 54.3 120 6/10
S Diesel 43,300 6.3 142 258 427 46.3 159 8/10 Suzuki SX4 1.6T RS 200 18,995 6.7 142 200 177 44.8 144 7/10
1.6 DDiS
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4684x1923x1624, 65-litre fuel 1.5 dCi Exp+ 14,545 12.0 112 90 162 88.3 83 6/10
tank, 500/1500-litre boot, 4 engines, 4 trims, 4 models in total. 64.2mpg Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4060x1730x1450, 45-litre fuel
CAYENNE tank, 320/1200-litre boot, 4 engines, 6 trims, 15 models in total.
Sporting SUV thats very capable and CAPTUR

now better to look at. It no longer has a
ride that ruins your spine, either. 2 Renault's take on the Juke that's,
perhaps unsurprisingly, more style than
BMW 120d substance. Clio for us, please.
S E-Hybrid 61,529 5.9 150 422 435 83.1 79 7/10 xDrive
Turbo 92,628 4.5 173 527 554 25.2 261 6/10 60.1mpg 0.9 TCe Exp+ 13,995 12.6 106 90 99 56.5 115 7/10
S Diesel 61,474 5.4 156 383 626 35.3 209 8/10 1.5 dCi Exp 13,895 12.6 106 90 162 76.4 95 7/10
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4855x1939x1705, 100-litre fuel tank, Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4120x1780x1560, 45-litre fuel
3 tank, 377/1235-litre boot, 3 engines, 4 trims, 10 models in total.
RADICAL Fiat Panda 4x4

MEGANE
Its lost the fat arse, which is a good
Clarkson on Radical: 1.3 MultiJet thing. Build quality is much improved,
A skateboard for those with reactions of a coee- driving manners are above average, too.
doused mongoose and a concrete spine. 60.1mpg
SR3 RSport 265
Few are as extreme, and few cope as 26,930 6.0 158 265 266 37.7 174 9/10
badly with British roads. A car for dry,
smooth, clear tarmac. Such as a track. 4 Trophy 275
1.5 dCi Exp
36,430 5.8 158 275 266 37.7 174
18,245 12.1 118 110 192 80.7 90
9/10
6/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4300x1810x1450, 60-litre fuel
2.0 245 Std 69,850 3.4 160 245 265 n/a n/a 8/10 TDI 184 quattro tank, 372/1162-litre boot, 8 engines, 6 trims, 42 models in total.

n/a-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
58.9mpg SCENIC/XMOD
The XMOD is a Scenic with extra oroad-
RXC erishness. Theyve tried this before with
the RX4. It didnt work then, either.
Now heres a trick: Radicals second
road car has much more power and a 5 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
roof, but is far tamer to drive.
Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 1.5 dCi XMOD 21,295 12.5 112 110 191 68.9 105 6/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 184 quattro 1.6 dCi Dyn Gr 23,615 10.3 121 130 236 64.2 114 6/10
3.7 V6 94,500 2.8 175 350 320
3.5 V6 EcoBoost 107,500 2.6 185 454 500
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
8/10
8/10
57.6mpg Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4370x1850x1660, 60-litre
SKODA-SUZUKI
fuel tank, 470/1870-litre boot, 5 engines, 2 trim, 8 models in total.
ROLLS-ROYCE
n/a-litre boot, 2 engines, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
RENAULT 6 Clarkson on Rolls-Royce:

BMWs clearly understood that a Rolls-Royce should
Clarkson on Renault: Nissan Qashqai be magnicent and gracious, but slightly vulgar too.
1.6 dCi 130 4wd
Renaults are blessed with the sort of jaunty French-
ness that helps you forgive the bits that fall o. GHOST S2
57.6mpg A car for the junior plutocrat, since his
TWINGO AWARDS WINNER 2014 boss will clearly be in a Phantom. Wave
at him - he needs your pity.
Rear-engined, rear drive, its a mini-911!
Only its actually a cheeky little city car.
Turbo is only one with any nous, though. 7 6.6 V12
PRICE 062 MPH BHP
181,865 4.7 155 571
LB FT MPG
576 20.8 327
CO2 RATING
9/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Mini Paceman 6.6 V12 EWB 207,105 4.8 155 571 576 20.6 329 9/10
1.0 SCe 70 9,495 14.5 94 70 67 62.7 105 5/10 Cooper SD ALL4 Euro NCAP n/a LxWxH in mm: 5399/5569x1948x1550, 82-litre fuel
0.9 TCe 90 11,695 10.8 103 90 99 65.7 99 7/10 57.6mpg tank, 490-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3595x1646x1554, 35-litre

PHANTOM S2
Luxury British land-yacht which man-
ages to drive as well as it soothes. Cars
DATA IN NUMBERS: UNLIKELY RIVALS 8 come no more opulent than this.
Porsche Cayenne S Diesel 0-62mph 5.4secs Mini Countryman PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Cooper SD ALL4 6.75 V12 EWB 357,875 6.1 150 453
Tesla Model S 85 0-62mph 5.4secs 531 18.9 349 9/10
57.6mpg 6.75 V12 D'head 352,745 5.8 150 453 531 19.1 347 8/10
TWIZY 6.75 V12 Coupe 333,155 5.8 155 453 531 19.1 347 8/10
God knows whats got into us, but we Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5830/6090x1990x1640, 100-litre fuel
badly want a Twizy. Mainly to sneak up tank, 460-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 4 models in total.
on other cars in electrical silence. 9
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING BMW 320d DATA IN NUMBERS: LONG AND SHORT
13kW EV 7,595 n/a 50 17 42 n/a 0 7/10 xDrive
Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB length 6092mm
Technic
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 2340x1240x1460, no fuel tank,
31-litre boot, 1 electric motor, 3 trims, 3 models in total.
57.6mpg Number of Renault Twingos fit alongside it 2
ZOE WRAITH
This could be the point where electric
cars start to prove themselves. The Zoe 10 If the Grand Tour still existed, this is how
the aristocracy would get to Vienna. A
looks great and costs little. majestic symbol of Britain.
Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING TDI 184 quattro PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
EV Expression 18,443 13.5 84 88 162 n/a 0 6/10 56.5mpg 6.6 V12 235,000 4.4 155 624 590 20.2 327 9/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4090x1730x1560, no fuel tank, Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 5269x1947x1507, 82-litre fuel tank,
328/1225-litre boot, 1 electric motor, 3 trims, 3 models in total. 470-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
SEAT
HEROES SUPERB
SEAT-SUBARU
The fact the name doesnt sound too
Clarkson on Seat: ironic tells you all you need to know.
Seat has turned a corner with the new Leon. Now, Huge cabin, ace quality, bargain pricing.
what about the rest of the range?
MII FIAT 500 1.8 TSI SE Est

PRICE 062 MPH BHP
23,010 8.3 137 160
LB FT MPG
184 40.9 160
CO2 RATING
8/10
Dont go expecting loads of Spanish air
here. VW doesnt permit that. This is 1.6 TDI S 20,200 12.2 122 105 184 67.3 109 8/10
just a very sensible Up-based city car.
2.0 TDI S Est 21,615 10.1 131 140 236 61.4 121 9/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4833x1817x1462, 60-litre fuel
1.0 Eco 3d 9,530 14.4 100 60 67 68.9 96 7/10
1.0 75 Sport 3d 10,380 13.2 106 75 70 60.1 108 7/10
7/ YETI
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3560x1640x1480, 35-litre fuel Skoda's SUV-lite is a favourite of TopGear.
tank, 238/951-litre boot, 2 engines, 5 trims, 12 models in total. It looks chunky, acts chunky and drives
chunkily, too. Facelift spoils purity though.
IBIZA
Looks sharp, and pricing is good, but PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
hasn't quite made the leap that the 1.2 TSI 105 S 16,715 11.4 110 105 129 46.3 142 7/10
Leon has. Ride could be better.
1.6 TDI GreenII 18,205 12.1 109 105 184 61.4 119 7/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 2.0 TDI Eleg 4x4 24,640 8.4 125 170 258 49.6 149 8/10
1.2 TDI Eco S 5d 14,380 13.9 107 75 133 80.7 92 6/10 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4222x1793x1645, 55-litre fuel
1.4 Cupra SC 18,980 6.9 142 180 184 47.9 139 7/10 tank, 322/1760-litre boot, 6 engines, 4 trims, 31 models in total.
2.0 TDI FR 3d SC 17,085 8.2 130 143

Euro NCAP
236 60.1 123
6/10
WHY IS IT SPECIAL? SMART
tank, 284-litre boot, 9 engines, 5 trims, 34 models in total. Clarkson on Smart:
Why is the Fiat Panda a hero, when the Smarts are like Hillary Clinton. Clever, but you
LEON 500 isnt? Because the Panda doesnt try too
wouldnt want to.
Seat seems to have upped its game
with the all-new Leon. Just as well, VW hard to be cool, its not too showy and it has a FORTWO
doesnt like a failure. broader spread of talents. True, the squircles A doddle to park, a delight around
town, but what on earth was Smart
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING thing on the latest one oversteps the mark, thinking when it signed o the design?
1.4 TSI ACT FR 20,000 8.0 134 150 184 54.3 109 7/10 but otherwise this classless city car harks back
1.8 TSI FR 21,040 7.5 140 180 184 47.1 139 8/10 to a simpler post-war age, when Italy was La 1.0 Passion 11,125 14.4 94 71 67 68.9 93 6/10
2.0 TSI Cupra SC 27,210 5.8 155 280 258 42.8 154 7/10 Dolce Vita and you took mama to church on 0.9T Prime 12,415 10.4 96 90 83 67.3 97 6/10
2.0 TDI FR 22,820 7.5 142 184 280 67.3 109 7/10 a Sunday. It makes you feel warm inside. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 2695, 1663, 1555, 35-litre fuel
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4260x1780x1460, 50-litre fuel tank, 260/350-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 8 models in total.
ALHAMBRA WHICH TO HAVE? FORFOUR

Same front end as the car above.
One of the very best MPVs around. If Concerning. Otherwise, its a decent
you don't want an S-Max, this is a worthy Honestly, have whichever you fancy. The city car. But our eyes hurt.
alternative. Lots of seats, lots of space.
base 1.2 petrol is a perfect budget town
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING dartabout, the diesel is plenty punchy or, for
1.0 Passion 11,620 15.9 94 71 67 67.3 97 6/10
2.0 TDI Eco S 25,630 10.9 120 140 236 50.4 146 7/10 real charisma, have the thrummy 2cyl TwinAir. 1.0 Edition #1 13,720 15.9 94 71 67 67.3 97 5/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4850x1900x1720, 70-litre fuel Team that with the high-rise 4x4 body and, Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3495, 1665, 1555, 35-litre fuel
hey presto, a mini-Discovery. Thats the rufty- tank, 185/975-litre boot, 1 engine, 4 trims, 4 models in total.
SKODA tufty car for us, to which wed add a couple

SSANGYONG
Clarkson on Skoda: of select options: split-fold rear seats, tinted
Almost without anyone noticing, Skoda has come up Clarkson on SsangYong:
with a range of good, honest excellentness. windows, TomTom nav. And thats it, us happy. SsangYongs are designed by a Brit who clearly lost
his glasses when he arrived in Korea.
CITIGO KORANDO
Of course you recognise it the Citigo
is a lightly altered VW Up. Which makes Launched at the same time as the Range
it a very ne city car indeed. Rover Evoque but not proving quite as
popular. Inexplicable, surely?
1.0 Green SE 3d 9,420 14.4 100 60 70 68.9 95 7/10 2.0D 2WD SE 14,995 9.9 116 151 266 47.1 147 4/10
1.0 Gre Eleg 5d 10,740 13.2 107 75 70 67.3 98 7/10 Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4410x1830x1680, 57-litre fuel tank,
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3560x1640x1480, 35-litre fuel 486-litre boot, 2 engines, 3 trims, 4 models in total.
FABIA SUBARU
Only 9 per cent of the old Fabia has Clarkson on Subaru:
been carried into the new one. So its The Outback is as pleasant as walking a Labrador.
91 per cent, better says TG maths. The XV is the stick it picks up on the way round.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING OUTBACK

1.0 S 10,600 15.7 99 60 70 60.1 106 6/10 Outback does everything you could
1.2 TSI 90 SE want of a car, but wheres the excite-
13,390 10.9 113 90 118 60.1 107 7/10 ment? And the styling for that matter?
1.4 TDI 90 SE 15,390 11.1 113 90 169 83.0 88 7/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3992x1732x1467, 45-litre fuel PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
tank, 330/1150-litre boot, 5 engines, 3 trims, 13 models in total. 2.0D SE 30,070 9.7 120 150 258 44.1 167 6/10
OCTAVIA Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4780x1780x1540, 65-litre fuel
tank, 526/1677-litre boot, 1 engines, 1 trims, 1 model in total.
Skoda, VW's practicality-obsessed arm,
gives you all the car youll ever need.
Provided youre slightly dull. SPECS WRX STI
The Scooby turbo is back, minus the
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING ENGINE/GEARBOX 875cc, 2cyl turbo, 84bhp, 107lb ft Impreza name but with the same huge
wing and heinous thirst.
1.2 TSI SE 17,660 9.9 122 105 129 57.7 114 7/10 PERFORMANCE 062mph in 12.1 seconds,
2.0 TSI vRS 23,755 6.8 154 220 258 45.6 142 7/10 top speed 103mph, 57.6mpg, 114g/km PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.6 TDI SE 19,710 10.4 121 105 184 74.3 99 8/10 WEIGHT 1,050kg PRICE 14,295 2.5T STi 28,995 5.2 159 300 300 27.2 242 7/10
tank, 590/1740-litre boot, 7 engines, 8 trims, 45 models in total. 460-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
BRZ TOYOTA VERSO
SUBARU-VAUXHALL
An entirely excellent small, sharp coupe Revised in 2013 and does an OK job of
that's not at all like an Impreza. In a Clarkson on Toyota: moving ospring and their snotty gub-
good way. Rather like a Toyota GT86... I liked the GT86 so much that I made it my Car of the bins, but outclassed by the Ford C-Max.
Year. That was a rst for a Toyota.
2.0 SE Lux 2d
PRICE
23,995
062 MPH BHP
7.6 130 200
LB FT
151
MPG CO2
36.2 181
RATING
9/10
AYGO PRICE
1.6 D-4D Active 19,990 12.7 115
062 MPH BHP
114
LB FT MPG
199 62.0 119
CO2 RATING
5/10
Citroen C1 with added face fungus. Still
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4240x1780x1430, 55-litre fuel tank, cheap, still good around town. Now Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4440x1790x1620, 60-litre fuel
245-litre boot, 1 engine, 2 trims, 2 models in total. more capable elsewhere. tank, 178/1693-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 8 models in total.
FORESTER PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING

RAV4
Lacks school run glam, but thats not the 1.0 x 3d 8,595 14.2 99 70 70 68.9 95 7/10 Latest RAV4 is crisper and sharper than
point - this is rugged transport. Pity the before. But its still not as funky as it used
240bhp XT Turbo is so ignorable. 1.0 x-cite 5d 11,595 14.2 99 70 70 68.9 95 7/10 to be. Where did the fun go, Toyota?
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING tank, 168-litre boot, 1 engine, 5 trims, 10 models in total. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
2.0T XT
2.0D XC
26,995 7.5 137 240 258 33.2 197
26,995 10.2 118 147 258 47.9 156
6/10
7/10
IQ 2.2 D-4D AWD 26,800 9.6 118 150 250 49.6 149 4/10
Icon Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4570x1840x1660, 60-litre fuel
Dinky three-and-a-half person city car tank, 550/2080-litre boot, 3 engines, 3 trims, 8 models in total.
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4560x1780x1700, 64-litre fuel tank, designed to take on the Smart Fortwo.
450/1610-litre boot, 3 engines, 4 trims, 6 models in total. It wins, if you have half a mate. LAND CRUISER
Happy in the hands of armed militia and
DATA IN NUMBERS: ECO CHALLENGE 1.33 IQ3 3d
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING jolly farmers from Lincolnshire. One of
the most robust o-roaders ever.
13,100 11.8 106 98 92 57.6 113 7/10
Subaru Forester 2.0T XT 33.2mpg Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 2990x1680x1500, 32-litre fuel
Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI 180 4MOTION 33.2mpg tank, 32/242-litre boot, 1 engine, 3 trims, 3 models in total.
Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-DC auto LWB 33.2mpg YARIS 3.0 D-4D Icon 47,960 11.7 109 171 302 34.9 213
5/10
A key car for Toyota in Europe. The 403/1695-litre boot, 1 engine, 3 trims, 3 models in total.
SUZUKI engine choice is reasonable, the Hybrid is

OK, but it's not as clever as it used to be.
VAUXHALL
Clarkson on Suzuki:
God knows where their dealers are. But if you do PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Clarkson on Vauxhall:
nd one, test drive the Swift. Its a great little car. 1.33 Icon 5d 14,095 11.1 109 98 92 57.6 114 4/10 I dont know how this happened, but Vauxhalls have
become rather interesting to look at. If not to drive.
SWIFT Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3890x1700x1510, 42-litre fuel
tank, 347/768-litre boot, 4 engines, 4 trims, 11 models in total. ADAM
By not trying too hard, this no-nonsense
supermini succeeds in being really rather
good. The Sport is back, too. Rejoice!
PRIUS They called it the Adam. They should
have called it the Cheryl. Cute, but
The iconic hybrid is clever, clean and eco- short of panache. Blame its upbringing.
nomical, especially when it comes to tax.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Want seven seats? Try a Prius Plus.
1.6 136 Sport 3d 13,999 8.7 121 136 118 44.1 147 7/10 1.4 100 S/S Slam 14,495 11.5 115 100 96 55.4 119 7/10
1.2 SZ3 5d 12,959 12.3 103 94 87 56.5 116 6/10 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.8 Plug-in Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3740x1680x1590, 45-litre fuel
33,395 13.1 111 98 104 134.5 49 6/10
tank, 213/562-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims, 10 models in total. 1.8 Prius+ 26,145 11.8 105 138 105 68.9 96 5/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4460x1750x1490 (Prius+: CORSA
S-CROSS 4635x1805x1775, 45-litre fuel tank, 445/658-litre boot (Prius+:
505/1425), 1 engine, 4 trims, 6 models in total.
Lovely little 1.0-litre turbo, very rened
and vastly improved all round. But its
FOR ALL THE FACTS A
Out with the SX4, in with the S-Cross. still a Vauxhall. Need we say more?
Same Qashqai-rivalling concept, same
slight surprise at how decent it is.
AVENSIS
Theres little wrong with the Avensis, PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
just like there's little wrong with your 1.2 Sting 3d 8,995 16.0 101 70 85 52.3 126 7/10
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING dads M&S jumper. Mmm, woolly.
1.6 DDiS SZ3 16,999 12.0 111 120 236 67.2 110 6/10 1.0T 90 SE 5d 14,670 11.9 112 90 122 65.7 102 7/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4300x1765x1575, 50-litre PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 1.0T 115 Sting 5d 11,425 10.3 121 115 122 57.6 115 7/10
fuel tank, 430-litre boot, 2 engines, 4 trims,11 models in total. 2.0 D-4D Icon B 21,295 9.7 124 127 229 62.8 119 5/10 Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4020x1736x1479, 45-litre fuel
TESLA
ASTRA
MODEL S GT86 Avoid gimmicks such as FlexRide and
keep it simple with a 1.4 turbo. Watch the
The most credible alternative to the The best Toyota in donkeys (with a costs: like Focus, this is no longer cheap.
German execs yet launched. Fast, well nod of thanks to Subaru). Light 'n' lithe
designed and utterly silent. coupe proves that 200bhp is enough.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 1.4T Sport GTC 19,930 9.0 125 140 147 47.9 139 7/10
60kWh 54,955 5.9 120 306 317 N/A 0 8/10 2.0 Primo 22,995 7.7 140 200 151 36.2 181 9/10 2.0T VXR GTC 27,315 5.9 155 280 295 34.9 189 7/10
P85 73,755 4.2 130 422 443 N/A 0 9/10 2.0 Aero 27,495 7.7 140 200 151 36.2 192 8/10 2.0 BiTurbo 24,220 7.8 141 195 295 55.4 134 6/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4970x1964x1445, no fuel tank, Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4240x1780x1430, 50-litre fuel tank, Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4420x1810x1510, 56-litre fuel
745/1645-litre boot, 3 power outputs, 3 trims, 3 models in total. 245-litre boot, 1 engine, 4 trims, 4 models in total. tank, 351/1216-litre boot, 13 engines, 10 trims, 62 models in total.
AMPERA TOPGEAR TOP FIVE XL1
VAUXHALL-VOLKSWAGEN
An electric car thats easy to use and VW has created the worlds rst eco-
doesnt give you range anxiety (it also
contains a 1.4 petrol). Best of breed. UTILITY SUVS spaceship. Beam us up Scotty, were
ready for lift-o at 300mpg.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 1 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
0.8 TDI Plug-in
1.4 EREV 33,750 8.7 100 150 273 235.4 27 8/10 3.0 SDV6 SE TECH 94,000 11.9 99 75 103 313 24 9/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4500x1790x1440, 45-litre fuel Price 47,495 Specs 252bhp, 442lb tank, 120-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total.
ft, 0-62mph 8.8secs, VMax 124mph,
INSIGNIA 35.3mpg, CO2 213g/km POLO
The Golfs mini-me has been facelifted
The Vectra replacement that changed for 2014. Its safe and solid, but now has
its name to avoid incrimination in past
crimes. Good to drive, smart design.
Getting better and better with each generation. Seven a (little) bit more soul.
seats, of-road ability, comfort and just enough luxe PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING make this the thinking mans Range Rover. 1.0 S 3d 11,250 15.5 100 60 70 60.1 106 6/10
2.8 T VXR SS 29,824 5.6 170 325 320 25.7 249 6/10 1.2 TSI SE 5d 14,360 10.8 114 90 118 60.1 107 6/10
2.0 CDTi Design 19,334 10.5 127 140 258 76.3 98 6/10 2 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 1.8 TSI GTI 3d 18,850 6.7 146 192 236 47.1 139 6/10
2.0 CDTi SRi ST 22,794 9.9 133 163 258 62.8 119 6/10
90 STATION WAGON 1.4 TDI SE 5d 15,425 12.9 108 75 155 83.1 88 6/10
tank, 530/1470-litre boot, 9 engines, 6 trims, 106 models in total. Price 25,265 Specs 120bhp, Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3970x1682x1462, 45-litre fuel
266lb ft, 0-62mph 15.8secs, VMax
VXR8 90mph, 8.3mpg, CO2 266g/km GOLF AWARDS WINNER 2014
No-nonsense Aussie saloon is back. TG The best done better than ever. You
cheers loudly. Particularly as it now has need no other hatchback. So dont
nearly 600bhp... Strewth. Aged workhorse of the Land Rover stable, but not waste your time looking.
quite ready for the knackers yard yet. An icon, and
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING one that will be extremely hard to replace.
6.2 V8 GTS 54,499 4.9 155 584 545 18.5 363 7/10 1.4 ACT GT 5d 23,850 8.4 131 140 184 58.9 112 8/10
2.0 GTI 5d 27,235 6.5 153 220 258 47.1 139 8/10
495-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 1 model in total. 3 DACIA DUSTER ACCESS 2.0 R 5d 30,805 5.1 155 300 280 39.8 165 8/10
MERIVA 1.6 4X4 1.6 TDI SE 5d 21,190 10.7 119 105 184 74.3 99 8/10
Mini-MPV with rear suicide doors to

Price 11,495 Specs 104bhp, 2.0 GTD 5d 26,670 7.5 143 184 258 67.3 109 8/10
ease child installation and ejection of 109lb ft, 0-62mph 12.8secs, VMax Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4260x1800x1450, 50-litre fuel
drunks. Like a Black Cab, minus vomit. tank, 380/1270-litre boot, 12 engines, 8 trims, 29 models in total.
99mph, 35.3mpg, CO2 185g/km
GOLF SV
1.6 CDTi Excl 20,645 9.9 122 136 236 64.2 116 7/10
Britains cheapest four-wheel drive, and no less VW really has called this the Sports Van.
brilliant because of that. Not much in the way of It is neither sporty, nor a van. Its a Golf
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4290x1810x1620, 54-litre fuel with a bit more. A Golf Plus, if you will.
tank, 400/1500-litre boot, 7 engines, 4 trims, 21 models in total. standard kit, but then who cares for 11k?
ZAFIRA TOURER 1.4 TSI 125 S 20,845 9.9 124 125 148 52.3 125 4/10
Whod of thunk it? The words Zara 4 MERCEDES G-CLASS Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4338x1807x1578, 55-litre fuel
and desirable in the same sentence.
Boomerang eyes are locked on S-Max... 350 BLUETEC tank, 500/1520-litre boot, 8 engines, 4 trims, 11 models in total.
Price 86,435 Specs 208bhp, BEETLE

ND STATS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EVERY CAR ON SALE IN THE UK GO TO TOPGEAR.COM/REVIEWS
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 398lb ft, 0-62mph 9.1secs, VMax A sportier Beetle? Does that make this a
2.0 CDTi SRi cockroach? Never mind, the retro VW now
26,090 9.1 129 165 280 54.3 137 7/10 108mph, 25.2mpg, CO2 295g/km has a smattering of driver appeal.
tank, 420/1420-litre boot, 5 engines, 5 trims, 22 models in total. Along with cockroaches, probably about the only PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
thing capable of withstanding nuclear fallout. Epic 1.2 TSI Design 18,575 10.9 112 105 129 51.4 128 6/10
VOLKSWAGEN off-road, very suspect on-road. 1.4 TSI Sport 22,430 8.7 126 150 185 48.7 134 7/10
Clarkson on Volkswagen: Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4640x1770x1480, 68-litre fuel
Duller than James explaining torque, but the Golf is tank, 510-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 20 models in total.
still what you recommend to anyone who asks. 5 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER PASSAT
UP Price 47,960 The driver likes to pretend hes an exec,
Finally, a VW city car you want to own. Specs 208bhp, 310lb ft, when in truth hes a rep thats made his
monthly bonus. Fine car, though.
Neat styling and packaging to shame 0-62mph 11.0secs, VMax
Ikeas nest, we like the Up. A lot.
109mph, 34.9mpg, CO2 213g/km PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 1.6 TDI S 22,215 10.8 128 120 185 70.6 105 7/10
1.0 Take Up 3d 8,765 14.4 99 60 70 62.8 105 8/10 Looks expensive, until you remember how long it will 2.0 TDI S 23,340 8.7 137 150 251 70.6 106 7/10
1.0 High Up 3d 11,385 13.2 106 75 70 60.1 108 8/10 outlive you by. Theres a reason that Toyotas are used 2.0 TDI SCR GT 27,780 6.1 149 190 369 53.3 107 7/10
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 3540x1640x1490, 35-litre fuel in the most inhospitable bits of the planet, you know. Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4767x1832x1456, 59/66-litre fuel
tank, 251/951-litre boot, 2 engines, 5 trims, 14 models in total. tank, 586/1152-litre boot, 4 engines, 5 trims, 26 models in total.
CC
TOPGEAR TOP TEN TOUAREG
VOLKSWAGEN-VOLVO
Facelifted CC has dropped the Passat If a large SUV can be inoensive, this is
FASTEST 0-60 OVER 50 MPG

name, but not the underpinnings. it. Shares much with the Cayenne, ex-
Cheap, able alternative to the Merc CLS. cept the price and cock-wafting image.
1.4 TSI 160
2.0 TSI 210 GT
25,050 8.5 137 160
29,285 7.6 150 210
77 44.8 147
206 38.7 171
7/10
7/10
1 3.0 TDI SE
3.0 TDI R-Line
43,415
48,215
8.7
7.3
128 204 332 42.8 173
140 262 373 42.8 174
6/10
7/10
2.0 TDI 177 GT 29,820 8.6 141 177 258 58.9 125 7/10 BMW Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4801x1940x1709, 85-litre fuel
Euro NCAP n/a, LxWxH in mm: 4800x1860x1420, 70-litre fuel tank, 335d xDrive tank, 493/1555-litre boot, 2 engines, 3 trims, 5 models in total.
PHAETON
4.8secs VOLVO
Clarkson on Volvo:
An Audi A8, minus the tosspottery. Volvos arent especially nice to drive but they are,
Makes you feel special, until you sell it as a general rule, enormously pleasant.
for half what you paid six months ago. 2 V40
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING BMW Volvo nally pulls its nger out and gets
3.0 TDI V6 LWB 58,110 8.3 147 240 367 33.2 224 4/10 535d serious about the premium hatchback.
We actually quite like these.
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 5060/5180x1900x1450, 90-litre
fuel tank, 500-litre boot, 1 engine, 1 trim, 2 models in total.
5.3secs
1.6 T3 150 ES 20,945 8.4 130 150 177 52.3 124 7/10
DATA IN NUMBERS: PHANTOM PHAETON 2.5 T5 R-Des L
Years on sale, VW Phaeton 11 3 2.0 D3 150 SE
31,900 6.1 155 254 265 35.8 189
23,570 9.1 130 150 258 65.7 114
7/10
8/10
Number of new Audi A8 variants in that time Two BMW 640d Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4370x1800x1450, 52-litre fuel
Gran Coupe
SCIROCCO 5.4secs S60
Still great looking, but now resting on a At last, a BMW 3-Series rival thats actu-
platform two gens behind the Golf. Mi- ally a 3-Series size. Good engines, nice
nor facelift isnt enough to disguise this. interior, but no 3-Series to drive.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING 4 PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.4 TSI 125 20,735 9.2 126 125 148 52.3 125 6/10
BMW 2.0 T3 Business 20,675 8.9 127 150 177 38.2 135 6/10
2.0 TSI 180 22,775 7.4 140 180 207 47.1 148 7/10
730d 2.0 D4 Business 23,445 6.9 143 181 295 74.3 99 7/10
2.0 TSI 280 R 32,575 5.7 155 280 258 35.3 187 8/10
2.0 TDI 150 23,455 8.6 134 150 199 67.3 109 6/10 6.1secs Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4630x1860x1490, 67-litre fuel
tank, 312/1006-litre boot, 6 engines, 4 trims, 11 models in total. V60
EOS 5 Estate version of the S60, only Volvo
insists its not actually an estate, but a
sportswagon. Its an estate, Volvo.
Meet the goddess of the dawn. Or a BMW
folding hard-top Golf, for those not
wearing tie-dye and dowsing for water. 225d PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING

6.3secs 2.0 D4 SE 29,645 7.2 140 181 295 74.3 99 7/10
Plug-In Hybrid 49,975 5.8 143 218 325 148.7 48 7/10
1.4 TSI Sport 27,610 8.8 134 160 177 41.5 157 6/10
2.0 TSI Sport 29,610 7.5 147 210 204 39.8 165 5/10 tank, 430/1241-litre boot, 6 engines, 9 trims, 36 models in total.
6 V70/XC70
Mercedes-Benz
TOURAN E 350 Bluetec
Close your eyes and think of a Volvo. And
here it is the 21st century incarnation of
A dull but capable MPV in a marketplace the classic estate.
where thats all you need. Essentially a 6.4secs
big, last-gen Golf with seven seats. PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
1.6 D2 Business 25,695 12.5 112 115 244 67.3 111 5/10
2.0 D4 Business 27,195 8.1 137 181 295 65.7 113 5/10
1.4 TSI 140 SE 23,600 9.5 125 140
1.6 TDI 105 SE 23,705 12.8 116 105
162 41.5 159
185 61.4 121
5/10
5/10
7 XC70 D5 AWD 39,540 7.5 130 215 309 53.3 139 6/10
BMW Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4820x1860x1550, 70-litre fuel
2.0 TDI 177 DSG 28,350 8.9 132 177 258 49.6 151 5/10 tank, 575/1600-litre boot, 5 engines, 4 trims, 28 models in total.
125d
6.5secs S80
A posh saloon for people who dont
want to buy German. Its comfy and
DATA IN NUMBERS: LITTLE BOOTS well-nished, but zero fun.
Touran boot capacity, seven seats in use 121 litres 8 2.0 D4 SE Nav
PRICE
32,220
062 MPH BHP
7.9 140 181
LB FT MPG
295 70.6 104
CO2 RATING
5/10
Total boot capacity, Nissan 370Z Roadster 120 litres Caterham 2.4 D5 SE Lux 36,835 7.6 143 215 309 61.4 159 5/10
Seven 0.8T
SHARAN 6.5secs
More VW MPV-ery, this time quite
good. Its comfortable, practical, seats
seven easily and gets decent engines.
XC60
Mid-size SUV stued with health and
safety kit. It should come in uoro yel-
1.4 TSI 150 SE
PRICE 062 MPH BHP
27,630 10.7 122 150
LB FT MPG
177 39.2 167
CO2 RATING
7/10 9 low with a loud hailer as standard.
2.0 TDI 177 SE 30,555 9.8 130 177 258 48.7 152 7/10 Mercedes-Benz PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
Euro NCAP LxWxH in mm: 4850x1900x1720, 70-litre fuel C 250 Bluetec 2.0 D4 SE Lux 33,960 8.5 130 181 295 62.8 117 6/10
6.6secs
TIGUAN tank, 495/1455-litre boot, 3 engines, 4 trims, 14 models in total.
A baby SUV thats more of a family car

than a rough 'n' tough o-roader. Des-
XC90
tined for the school run, and why not? 10 Perhaps the only SUV that isnt hated by
everyone except those inside it. Old, but
still brilliantly packaged.
PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING Mercedes-Benz
1.4 TSI 4WD S 23,650 9.2 123 160 177 37.2 178 5/10 SLK 250 CDI PRICE 062 MPH BHP LB FT MPG CO2 RATING
2.0 TDI Match 27,925 8.9 125 177 258 48.7 151 6/10 6.7secs 2.4 D5 ES 37,130 9.7 127 200 309 34.4 215 6/10
tank, 470/1510-litre boot, 6 engines, 4 trims, 15 models in total. tank, 249/1837-litre boot, 1 engine, 5 trims, 5 models in total.
Hq Kahn laboratories: 240 Canal road, Bradford, Bd1 4sx. t: +44 (0) 1274 749 999
A. Kahn Design Boutique: 385 Kings road, Chelsea, london, sW10 0lr. t: +44 (0) 207 751 4555
Kahn Automobiles: Kirkstall road, leeds, ls3 1lx. t: +44 (0) 113 834 5055
[email protected]
e v o q u e r s 2 5 0
n e w R a n g e R o v e R
sport edition / 2.2 sd4 - 5dr / 48,875

luxury edition
3.0 tdv6 / 89,875
v o g u e 6 0 0 l e
n e w R a n g e R o v e R
Project Kahn is the original British automotive fashion house - designing and styling bespoke Land Rover and
Range Rover vehicles. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, were well placed to advise on all aspects
of vehicle personalisation. Each of our vehicles is tailored to the precise specification of the customer, from the
exterior styling to the luxury interior, and designed to maximise comfort and quality.
Our in-house creative team of product designers, 3D modellers, graphic artists and material engineers spend
thousands of hours developing and refining each of our products until they meet our exacting standards of
craftsmanship. We redefine the spirit and aesthetic of each vehicle, always placing sophistication before
ostentation, and originality before convention.
Our styling packages are purpose-built for each custom Range Rover and Land Rover vehicle, to ensure that
each of our conversions augments the residual value of the vehicle. Each exterior component is manually fitted
and individually adjusted to the specific vehicle. Each inch of the leather interiors we fit is hand stretched and
stitched in our UK trim shop by our own expert team.
Unlike other companies in the market, we have a designer and innovator at the helm, in the form of Afzal Kahn,
our founder and creative director. Kahn is a hands on leader, personally involved in each product release and
imparting his passion for every aspect of vehicle design into each new project. This drive for perfection is what
positions us at the forefront of automotive fashion, setting trends rather than following them.
Our ability to truly innovate and push the boundaries of personalisation stems in part from our clientele - we work
with a select group of discerning individuals who demand not only the highest quality but the most exclusive and
original features. Finest quality, to the last detail.
W W W. P R O J E C T K A H N . C O M
N E W R A N G E R O V E R
S P O R T 4 0 0 L E
LUXURY EDITION / 3.0 SDV6 / 79,875
NEW VEHICLE PRICES
NEW MODEL JEEP WRANGLER

CJ300
2.8 Diesel Sahara
2DR Automatic - 31,875
4DR Automatic - 33,875
Also Available in 3.6 Petrol Derivative at an extra cost.
CJ300 Specication Jeep 1941 Alloy Wheels 7.5x17 in Satin Black, 4 Slot Chelsea Truck Company Grille, Front Grille Industrial Mesh, Side Wing
Blades in Carbon Finish, Fuel Filler Cap in Satin Black, Chelsea Truck Company Spare Wheel Cover, Front & Rear Seats in Quilted & Perforated Leather
with Matching Stitching, Door Entry Sill Plates in Stainless Steel, Vented Foot Pedals in Machined Aluminium, Floor Mats in Toughened Rubber, Brake
Calipers in Liquid Red, Smoked Headlamps & KAHN Vehicle Branding.
NEW VEHICLE PRICES
NEW MODEL LAND ROVER DEFENDER

CHELSEA WIDE TRACK
2.2 Diesel XS
90 2DR Manual - 39,875
110 4DR Manual - 43,875
Wide Track Specication: 1948 Defend Alloy Wheels 8x16 in Satin Black, Front & Rear Wide Wings with Integrated Vents & Bolt Apertures, X-Lander
Front Grille & Headlamp Surrounds, Bonnet & Side Vents with Mesh. Front Sports GTB Seats & Rear Folding Seats in a Choice of Quilted & Perforated
Leather with Harris Tweed, Centre Glove Box & Instrument Binnacle in Quilted & Perforated Leather, Roof Grab Handles with Harris Tweed, Rear Door
Panel, & Handle in Harris Tweed, Rear Passenger Knee Protectors, Vented Foot Pedals in Machined Aluminium, Door Entry Sill Plates in Stainless
Steel, Single Spoke Steering Wheel - Leather, Rev Counter Facia in Red, Churchill Time Clock, Hard Wearing Front & Rear Cabin Floor Mats & KAHN
Vehicle Branding.
Notes: Jeep CJ300/400 Images shown with optional: mud terrain tyres (only for off road use), LED Daytime Running Lights & Diamond LED Military Headlights.
Defender Chelsea Wide Track shown with optional: 9x20 Mondial Alloy Wheels in Piano Black and Diamond Cut, Front Bumper Replacement, Sump Guard & Crosshair
Exhaust System in Stainless Steel inc. Mudaps.
Kahn Laboratories: 240 Canal Road, Bradford, BD1 4SX. T: +44 (0) 1274 749 999
A. Kahn Design Boutique: 385 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0LR. T: +44 (0) 207 751 4555
Kahn Automobiles: Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1LX. T: +44 (0) 113 834 5055
[email protected]
Factory Sahara Specication: 5 Speed Automatic Transmission, Air Conditioning, with Auto Temperature Control, Anti-Lock 4 Wheel Disc HD Brakes,
Automatic Headlight Activation, Brake Disc Ventilation, Cruise Control, Driver & Front Passenger Air Bags, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Descent
Control, Hill Start Assist, Innity Premium Audio, System, Keyless Entry with Immobiliser Split Level Targa Roof & Removable Hard Top.
Factory Specication: 2.2 Litre 4 Cylinder Diesel Engine, 6 Speed Manual Gearbox, Air Conditioning, All Terrain Anti-Lock Braking System, Audio
System, Driver & Front Passenger Sun Visors, Electric Front Windows, Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Front Axle Two Pin Differential, Front
Mudaps, Halogen Headlamps, Heated Front Seats, Heated Rear Screen, Heated Windscreen, Locking Wheel Nuts, Manual Adjustable Exterior
Mirrors, Manual Dipping Interior Rear View Mirror, Perimetric/Volumetric Alarm, Power Assisted Steering, Rear Door Stowage Net, Rear Folding Step,
Rear Mudaps, Rear Quarter Windows, Remote Central Locking, Side Runners, Standard Duty Suspension, Station Wagon Roof, Tinted Glass Front
& Side & Windscreen Wash/Wipe System.
All prices exclude Road Fund Licence and a First Registration Fee at the current rate (Government Charge). Available in Left Hand Drive
All new vehicles are VAT qualifying. Applies to UK vehicles only. Prices correct at time of going to press and may be subject to change.
To view all available vehicles please visit: www.chelseatruckcompany.com
1948 Defend 1983 Defend Mondial Defend Jeep 1988 Jeep 1986
8 x 16 8 x 18 9 x 20 8.5 x 20 9 x 20

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