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FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW
T H E O R I G I N A L CA R W E E K LY
FULL STORY & PICTURES BMW’s eco sports car
JAGUAR’S
356bhp, 0-62mph in 4.4sec and 113mpg
NEW 4x4
NEW MODEL BLITZ Crucial SUV to inspire
radical baby saloon, estate and coupé
Citroën’s new look
‘We want to build cars you love… or hate’
New MG 3 first drive

Proof MG has got its mojo back (at last)
11 September 2013 | Tesla Model S
PLUS £5k Audi A8 bargains » Lap of Iceland on a tank of diesel » Tesla Model S road test
40
Can a Mercedes A-class
complete a lap of Iceland
on a single tank of diesel?
THIS WEEK
NEWS
Jaguar C-X17 Concept previews compact range 8
Only one way to find out…
BMW i8 Production hybrid sports car revealed 14
Renault Initiale Paris New Espace to follow 17
Mercedes S-class coupé Two-door concept 18
Porsche 918 Spyder Fastest road Porsche yet 20
Citroën Cactus Concept Previews new direction 22
Suzuki iV-4 Firm targets compact SUV market 26
Spotlight Holland’s back-to-basics supercar 28
TESTED
Volkswagen e-Up Electric city car impresses 32
MG 3 Form Sport Good-value hatch has appeal 34
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi All-new engine 36
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.6 DDiS Value crossover 37
Ford Focus Electric Handles well, but it’s pricey 39
Tesla Model S ROAD TEST 54
FEATURES
Mercedes A-class Icelandic economy challenge 40
Jensen Interceptor R Iconic coupé reborn 48
COVER
STORY
OUR CARS
Jaguar F-type Raucous drop-top says hello 64
Mitsubishi Outlander Enjoying its usefulness 67
Morgan Plus 8 More warning light woes 69
34 48
EVERY WEEK
Steve Cropley Summoned by Sir Stirling 25
MG 3: cheap, well equipped and fun to drive Reimagined Jensen Interceptor R driven
Matt Prior What goes round, comes round 26
Joe Saward Formula 1’s employment carousel 31
Your views Peugeot’s coupé is a future classic 62
‘The e-Up’s instant torque Colin Goodwin Bending Ron Howard’s ear 63
is a revelation. The car Richard Bremner Maybach Exelero revisited 98
feels swift and special’

Jim Holder, p32 DEALS
Used buying guide Nissan 300ZX 70
COVER James Ruppert All aboard the Audi A8 74
STORY
New vs used Panda 4x4 or G-class? 77
New cars A-Z All the latest models rated 78
Road test results Autocar’s data archive 91
Classifieds Cars, number plates, services 94
54 Tesla Model S fully road tested

70
64 Jaguar F-type joins the fleet

8 C-X17: all-new platform for Jaguar’s Frankfurt show concept
Used guide: Nissan 300ZXs from £1500
11 SEPTEMBER 2013 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5

THIS WEEK
Issue 6065 | Volume 277 | No 11
ON AUTOCAR.CO.UK
THIS WEEK
VIDEO
Frankfurt motor show
Matt Prior picks his highlights in Germany
C-X17showcases
Jaguar’s new
chassis tech
Why Jaguar has

played a blinder
IMPRESSIVE IN ITS own right though it is, the real
GALLERY
All the star cars
from Frankfurt
Every major debut
from every maker
brilliance of the Jaguar C-X17 concept lies in its ability to at the biggest car
show in Europe
showcase the firm’s new aluminium chassis technology
and the new, BMW 3-series-sized saloon, estate and coupé REVIEW BLOG
Ferrari 458 Italia Richard Bremner
that will be launched off it. All you need to know Why successful cars
Beyond this, by using the SUV concept to showcase its about Ferrari’s five- fail to surprise when
star V8 supercar they’re replaced
new technology while announcing the new production
saloon in the same breath, Jaguar bosses are also planting
the idea of a potentially controversial crossover joining its
line-up long before time.
By revealing the technology in this way, they warm
sceptics to the SUV idea, while providing enough
fascinating information in other directions to take the heat
out of the debate. Come production time, three or so years
FIND US AT
autocar.co.uk
down the line, doubts about the SUV’s suitability will have
been long forgotten by most. youtube.com/autocar
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require sophisticated political skills, twitter.com/autocar
but this is one of them. Jaguar has apps.autocar.co.uk
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THIS WEEK
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OFFICIAL
PICTURES
SUV concept heralds

Q C-X17 ‘sports crossover’ introduces high-tech new aluminium architecture Q Lightweight
his new Jaguar SUV stiff aluminium monocoque scalable and enables flexible,
T concept marks the start of

the most ambitious model
expansion programme in
the company’s 91-year history.
Called C-X17 and unveiled
architecture, which Jaguar
bosses say “will underpin the
entire innovative future of the
Jaguar brand”.
The new architecture,
high-volume production that
can produce competitive
interior packaging and allows a
great deal of design freedom.
When questioned on how
at this week’s Frankfurt motor whose title iQ[Al] stands closely the C-X17 previews the
show, the ‘sports crossover’ for ‘intelligent aluminium new range of compact Jaguars,
concept previews an upcoming architecture’, will form the design boss Ian Callum insisted
new SUV that will become basis of an entirely new the sleek and spectacular-
part of a range of other new generation of compact Jaguars looking SUV show car is “only
compact Jaguars. (but not Land Rovers) over the a concept”, adding it merely C-X17 concept’s
It also announces an all-new, next few years. Jaguar bosses shows what “one book-end” of cabin has a clean,
lightweight and extremely say it is both modular and the new range could be like. But futuristic look
8 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 11 SEPTEMBER 2013

new era of small Jags

platform to underpin 3-series rival, due 2015 Q Production SUV, coupé and estate to follow
he also believes modern design provides a general guide to the to work was far from easy at Will Jaguar build this car?
departments shouldn’t propose look and proportions of the new first,” said Callum. “In fact, we
cars that could never be built, range of compact Jaguars, and found the initial results quite THERE’S NO DOUBT that Jaguar will do an SUV, but
hinting that the C-X17 concept more specifically the SUV that difficult and disappointing. It it won’t be quite like this one. We have to accept that
is close to reality in that sense. will become part of it. was a matter of continuing this is a concept, although we can definitely expect
Callum also said he believes The most striking thing to work hard on the small a lot of its styling detail to appear in production.
the 2007 C-XF concept, the about the C-X17 is how it things. In circumstances like In its present form, the C-X17 is very large and
Los Angeles show car that translates some of the most these, changing things by a long — a clear 10cm longer than BMW’s X3, for instance — and
previewed the production fundamental and striking couple of millimetres can we keep hearing that one of Jaguar’s aims is to make its cars
XF models, was too far from styling features of the F-type make a huge difference.” look petite and agile. Still, there is no doubt that Jaguar bosses
reality. From this it can be sports car — which have rapidly The C-X17 is a relatively are attracted by booming worldwide demand for SUVs of this
concluded that the C-X17, become core Jaguar properties long car for its ‘compact’ size and price, and they would never have shown this concept
shorn of its rear bodywork and — on to a 4.72m-long SUV. billing, fully 40cm longer than without having concrete plans in place. SC
about 20-30cm of wheelbase, “Getting the proportions a Range Rover Evoque but, ◊

CONTEMPORARY CABIN
The interior has an elegant,
stripped-out feel and very
much follows the growing
industry trend for reducing
the number of visible buttons
to a minimum. Here, the
traditional centre armrest
has been replaced with a
neat combined armrest
and hip padding.
Δ at 1.65m tall, no higher. This such as brake-based torque

gives it an arresting sleekness vectoring and an intelligent
(“If you want form, it takes all-wheel drive system (based
space,” said Callum), while the on the standard car’s front
radical 23-inch wheels help to engine/rear drive layout) give
accentuate the sporty side, as it top-class dynamics.
do the strongly raked screens The C-X17’s interior majors
front and rear, plus head and heavily on luxury, but with
tail-lights reminiscent of those a simple execution. In a
used on the F-type. deliberate move away from
There are muscular what Callum refers to as
haunches and classic Jaguar “preconceptions”, there is
bonnet lines which feature twin leather trim but no wood. The
‘power bulges’ that converge as concept seats four occupants
they run forward towards the in light, simply designed
grille. This even more powerful bucket seats that hint at the
iteration of the F-type’s three- uncomplicated design of the
dimensional shape is flanked E-type’s half a century ago,
lower down by a pair of large and which are covered in saddle
supplementary air intakes. leather in a small dog-tooth
These features all integrate pattern. Jaguar claims “an
into a graceful shape that is assured driving position” set
recognisably Jaguar. at “a low height”, likely to be
The firm is at pains to point similar to that of an Evoque.
out that while this is a sports The piano black console that
crossover that rides higher runs right through the cabin
than a saloon, it is lower and can become a touchscreen, and
lighter than most vehicles of the door inners have a high-
its type. Additionally, systems contrast black and white finish,

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY

The cabin features some
Range Rover Sport
influences, such as the ‘ski
slope’ centre console rising
up to the dash and the triple
circular climate controls.
Jaguar’s dashtop, however,
is cleaner and simpler, with a
stylish aluminium finish.
The C-X17 translates some of

the F-type’s most striking
styling features on to an SUV
while above the occupants is The new Jaguar saloon will
a panoramic roof featuring be the first all-aluminium car
Q&A Kevin Stride, vehicle line director, compact models
a translucent multi-bladed in its hard-fought class and is Your cars will have tough competitors; how were less capable. This way, they’re all the
sunscreen, a bit like an egg claimed to offer all the virtues big an advantage is this new architecture? best we can do. That allows us to put greater
slicer, that can vary the flow of frugality and dynamics “We have deep respect for our competitors, emphasis on the things people care about and
of light into the cabin. The brought by light weight. and we’re going into the most competitive can feel: refinement, steering precision, ride
graceful quality of the interior “Our intelligent aluminium sector of all, but we’re confident the best and handling. We’re setting engineering targets
is carried right through the architecture will bring points of our system won’t be matched by in those areas that wouldn’t look out of place in
cabin to the boot, which has technology from our luxury anyone else. Our big advantage is that the an F-type — but that’s what you have to do if
two so-called ‘leisure seats’ models into an accessible techniques aren’t new to us; the learning we you want to win.”
that fold out to provide comfort price segment,” said Adrian have from Land Rover translates to the
for a pair of picnickers. Hallmark, Jaguar global brand Jaguar applications. Others will take years
Jaguar’s first production director. “Add the class-leading to catch us.”
offshoot of its new family dynamics and the beauty and
underpinned by the iQ[Al] purity of form that Jaguar is Was the new platform a daunting task?
structure will be a pioneering renowned for and we have the “It was, but we don’t talk about ‘platforms’
C/D-segment saloon, due in formula for a monumental these days. That implies constraints that
2015 and aimed squarely at leap forward.” aren’t there, as if one model is key and every
the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and The new Jaguar saloon is set other is a variation from it. That’s not true
Mercedes-Benz C-class models also to spawn SUV (previewed any more. Our term is ‘aluminium-intensive
that currently dominate the most closely by the C-X17), architecture’, because each application can
sector. The new saloon will estate and coupé offshoots, be precisely tailored to the role and duties
be built in a huge factory plus an overlay of super- needed. It’s amazingly flexible.”
currently under construction performance R models. Jaguar
at JLR’s Solihull plant, already claims some versions of the Does this flexibility make cars better
its centre of excellence for new range will have top speeds for consumers?
aluminium manufacturing of 186mph, while at the other “It does. If we didn’t have such flexibility,
but previously exclusively end will be those that emit less we’d have one great car and others that
used for Land Rovers. than 100g/km of CO2. ◊

Q&A Ian Callum,
director of design
Were you always in favour of Jaguar’s sleek-looking
doing a Jaguar SUV? C-X17 SUV concept
“Early on, I resisted it; I is longer than an
thought it wasn’t part of our Evoque but no higher
heritage. But the tipping
point came when we were
doing the XF. We did a lot of
research in new markets and it became clear
there’s a generation that simply didn’t know
what a sports car was. Cars like the C-X17
were their reference, their only reference.”
Are you worried that SUVs are

Land Rovers?
“The relationship with Land Rover didn’t
cause any difficulty. A Land Rover has
such geometric strength about its design,
and such special requirements for its
performance, that it’s quite different from
what we were likely to do. I was confident that
if we applied our best principles, we’d build a
Jaguar. That’s what has happened.”
Was doing an SUV difficult?

“It needed a lot of soul-searching. The idea
emerged about 18 months ago, but we
started for real six to nine months ago. And
yes, it was hard. We found the initial results
quite difficult and disappointing. The profile,
the 200-metre view, was the hardest bit,
but that’s what sells cars. I reckon we
cracked it in the end.”
Research for
the XF revealed a
gap in the market
Power for the new models to Jaguar. “We aim to

will come from a new range attract younger, more
of high-output four-cylinder cosmopolitan buyers with
diesel and petrol engines, active lifestyles,” he said.
to be built at Jaguar’s new “We’re hoping that will
£350 million engine plant, include more women buyers
currently under construction and more customers with
in Wolverhampton. The models young families.”
will also use newly created Jaguar sales volume,
versions of the F-type’s V6 currently still below 100,000
petrol engine range, claimed cars per year despite a recent
to give best-in-class specific series of range-expanding
power outputs. moves, will need to top
When complete, the new 250,000 cars per year within
compact Jaguar line-up the next few years if the
should boost sales volume company is to get close to
enormously. The company’s its privately declared (and
global marketing director, unofficial) target of 750,000
Steven De Ploey, reckons combined Jaguar and Land
90 per cent of customers Rover sales by 2020.
for the new range will be new STEVE CROPLEY
‘The profile, the 200-metre

view, was the hardest bit.
But we cracked it in the end’
Jaguar’s high-tech makeover

IN THE PAST couple of years, followed up this year with its
the platform has become an EMP2 architecture.
unexpected part of many car With iQ[Al], MQB or EMP2,
makers’ marketing campaigns. the basic aim of the engineering
Once only of interest to amounts to the same thing: a
production engineers and weight-saving architecture (and
accountants, a car’s underlying its accompanying and hugely
architecture has become a star expensive production line) which
and a brand-building opportunity is capable of underpinning as
in its own right. many different types and sizes of
Jaguar’s decision to give the vehicle as possible.
Jaguar’s small
new version of its all-aluminium Ford can probably be credited
saloon should be
platform a name, and to describe with the big breakthrough in
lighter than its rivals
it as being key to “dramatically common platform technology
expanding Jaguar’s product with its EUCD platform. By but it will also be ‘stretchable’, 100 per cent recycled material.
offering, market potential and treating the floor pressing and allowing it to underpin models When the baby Jaguar is
customer appeal”, shows how crash structure as a discrete unit from the upcoming compact launched against the BMW
important the iQ[Al] will be to and then having the option of two saloon to a future SUV as long 3-series in less than 18 months’
Jaguar’s future image building. different-height bulkheads and and as tall as the C-X17. time, the Jaguar will most likely
Being able to face down the two different seating heights, it But the iQ[Al] is also intended be lighter, stiffer, more frugal
German premium three when it meant that a body production line to communicate Jaguar’s lead in (under 100g/km C02 at best,
comes to high-tech materials and could create the basis for a low- high-tech construction methods. says Jaguar), greener and
construction technology will be rise Mondeo or a high-rise S-Max This architecture, which is bonded certainly more high-tech in its
vital for the British manufacturer. and Galaxy simply by changing a and riveted together in the same construction. This is a proposition
C-X17 previews Volkswagen led the way a small number of steel pressings. way that aircraft are built, also somewhat more compelling than
Jaguar’s new, couple of years ago with its MQB Jaguar’s iQ[Al] will use a uses a new aluminium alloy trading on the ‘British wood and
high-tech compact platform, and Peugeot-Citroën similar construction technique, which is said to be made of almost leather’ ambience of old. HH
car architecture

Radical i8 is BMW’s
green tech showcase
Production version of BMW’s plug-in hybrid sports car packs 356bhp and claims 0-62mph in 4.4sec
MW has unveiled the According to the EU fuel The i8’s complex, part-time i manufacturing plant in The i8’s doors are hinged
B definitive production
version of its radical i8,
a plug-in, mid-engined
hybrid sports car first seen as a
concept four years ago.
economy test, the i8 returns
113mpg on the combined cycle
and emits 25g/km of CO2 . BMW
says the i8 can reach 75mph in
its pure electric mode. Weight
all-wheel-drive transmission
is also of interest because it
uses BMW’s new turbocharged
1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine,
which will feature in the Mk3
Leipzig, Germany, comes from
local wind farms.
The i8’s dramatic styling
hasn’t moved too far away from
that of the original concept.
off the A-pillars and open
upwards and forwards. BMW
says the doors are built
around a CFRP and aluminium
structure and that all the glass
Sister car to the new i3, the distribution is “almost exactly” Mini and BMW 1-series. It retains the distinctive in the car is made from the
4.7-metre-long i8 features the 50 per cent front, 50 per cent The version of this engine in ‘overlapping’ panels at the same chemically hardened
same unusual construction rear. The car has three driving the i8 develops a remarkable front, around the sills and mineral glass as that used for
methods, using a carbonfibre- modes: Comfort, Sport and 228bhp, and its specific output over the rear wheels, while the smartphone screens. The rear
reinforced plastic (CFRP) EcoPro. BMW claims a range of 151bhp per litre is said to be C-pillar covers are extended screen lifts up for access to the
bodyshell sitting on a welded of 310 miles in hybrid mode, or the highest of any production rearwards to form aerofoils. luggage compartment.
aluminium chassis. up to 22 miles on lithium ion BMW engine to date. The petrol LED lights are used front The i8’s interior isn’t quite
BMW claims the i8 can battery power alone. engine — which drives through and rear, although buyers will as radical as the exterior,
hit 62mph from rest in just The i8 has a 2+2 layout with a six-speed automatic gearbox also have the option of unique with a relatively conventional
4.4sec with both the engine the three-cylinder engine and — and electric motor combined ‘laser’ headlights, which BMW layout, but it gives a good
and electric motor engaged. generator mounted behind produce peak outputs of says are 70 per cent more indication of how the cabins
Top speed — achieved by the rear seats, driving the rear 356bhp and 420lb ft. powerful than LED lights of other production BMWs
the petrol engine alone — is wheels. The front wheels are In keeping with the i8’s green and produce a “pure white, will look in the future.
155mph. BMW says this driven by an electric motor remit, BMW’s carbonfibre extremely bright light that is HILTON HOLLOWAY
performance is partly thanks and a two-speed automatic manufacturing plant in the pleasing to the eye”.
to the i8’s relatively low weight transmission, while the battery US is powered by zero-CO2
of 1490kg and an aerodynamic pack is stored in the centre hydroelectricity, while
bodyshell, which has a drag tunnel, with a petrol tank under the power at
coefficient of 0.26. the rear jump seats. BMW’s
OFFICIAL
PICTURES
Production i8 keeps the

concept’s distinctive
overlapping panels

FRANKFURT MOTORSHOW
The i8 in numbers
i8’s carbonfibre-
reinforced bodyshell
POWER 356bhp
is light and strong TORQUE 420lb ft
ECONOMY 113mpg
CO 2 25g/km
0-62
MPH 4.4sec
SPEED 155mph
TOP
WEIGHT 1490kg
Doors open up 2+2 cabin is more

and out like those restrained but still
of a McLaren 12C strikingly modern
Hilton Holloway
The real advantage of electric motors
I HAVE HAD a decent amount the context of performance and downsized without denting the
of experience with electrically handling. The BMW i8, like future sub-supercar performance.
driven cars, spending 12 months four-wheel-drive cars, is leveraging Ironically, I’m still not convinced
in a Nissan Leaf and 12 months in the electric motor’s extraordinary that the best and most cost-
a Chevrolet Volt. Aside from the torque delivery and the speed of effective use of electric motors and
zero-pollution exhaust pipes (which its reactions. And by using the battery packs is for town driving. I
can be achieved with much cheaper motor to help with acceleration, the suspect that Autocar’s first drive in
gas-powered cars), my feeling primary motor can be considerably the i8 will confirm my suspicions.
was that the great advantages of
being powered by an electric motor
were smoothness, refinement and
in-gear performance.
Logic suggests that the Volt,
with its exceptional drivetrain
refinement and ability to run on
petrol power for longer journeys,
would have been better conceived
as a larger, luxury car, which would
play to its inherent strengths in
terms of refinement while justifying
the inevitably higher price of a car
with a big battery pack.
Equally, it’s great to see a
manufacturer finally unveil
a production car that takes
advantage of electric drive in
Electric motor has
performance and
refinement benefits

Concept is “very
close” to how the
final car will look
OFFICIAL
PICTURES
SUV looks for new Espace

Renault concept reveals a tougher-edged take on luxury and space destined for the new Espace
enault is previewing the The outgoing Espace was Renault’s design team has Why won’t the UK get the new Espace?
R design for the next-gen

Espace with this Initiale
Paris concept at the
Frankfurt motor show, but
UK buyers will be denied the
conceived around a roomy
and light interior with plenty
of headroom and a large
glasshouse. But since the
launch of the third-gen Espace
shifted the main proportions
of the upper body, pushing
the base of the windscreen
rearwards to create separate
windscreen and bonnet lines.
THE SIMPLE ANSWER is that Renault can’t justify
engineering a right-hand-drive model because
global sales in those markets are too small to
recoup the investment. “And that’s not likely to
production model be cause of in 2002, the market has That marks a seismic shift change soon,” said one inside source.
weak sales of large MPVs. swung towards the tougher from the revolutionary one- All across the world, the full-size MPV market has
Said to be “very close” to image of SUVs, with more box look that the Espace effectively become extinct, shrinking in direct proportion to
the final Espace production ‘technical’, cockpit-like cabins. introduced to Europe back in the rise in popularity of 5+2-seat SUVs. Specifically in the
design, the concept is built “We are starting with a 1984 and, for a decade, was UK, if the upmarket Addison Lee cab company didn’t order
around a lower roofline, fresh page for the new luxury the dominant car industry the Ford Galaxy in such large numbers, the segment for
sleeker proportions and a Renault,” said van den Acker. design trend. full-size MPVs would have effectively disappeared. Instead,
mildly raised ride height. “We are looking for a different Although the concept’s Renault UK will attempt to cover the Espace niche with the
The aim is to compete more expression of that feeling of interior features only four medium-size 5+2-seat Grand Scenic and a 5+2-seat SUV
successfully against SUVs, space and luxury that we have seats, the production car is based on the Mégane platform. JR
which have eroded the market in today’s Espace.” expected to have a seven-seat
for large MPVs. The footprint of the Initiale option. Given the tapering
Renault design chief Paris concept is broadly roofline and raised floor level,
Laurens van den Acker told similar to today’s extended- that looks likely to translate Entire Mégane line-up gets facelift
Autocar: “We have redesigned wheelbase Espace, which is more into a 5+2 than a true
the silhouette to give a more still in production for main seven-seater. The Initiale Paris concept car is joined at Frankfurt by a
premium expression and more European markets. It is The driving position will facelifted Mégane range. The hatchback, coupé and estate
status to the design of our significantly lower, though, be much cosier than today’s models all now sport Renault’s new family front end. Other
top-range model.” by some 90mm. roomy front cabin, with the changes include the arrival of the 128bhp 1.2-litre 130 TCe
fascia and centre tunnel petrol engine mated to Renault’s EDC dual-clutch automatic
enveloping the driver in a gearbox, minor trim and equipment tweaks, and the addition
sportier-feeling cockpit. of Renault’s R-Link
The luxury traits of the infotainment
Initiale Paris concept are set system.
to be rolled out across the
Renault line-up in a series of
special editions of the same
name, starting with the Clio
and Espace. The Mégane is
Concept’s glass roof also in line for the Initiale
is trimmed by a map Paris treatment.
of Paris’s road grid JULIAN RENDELL
COOL NAME FOR NEW PANDA FIAT CELEBRATES ABARTH 595

A special-edition Fiat Panda 4x4 Antarctica has The 50th anniversary of the Abarth 595 is marked
been launched at Frankfurt. Based on 4x4 Rock at Frankfurt by a version of the Fiat 500 Abarth
trim, it adds two-tone paint, grey 15-inch alloy limited to 299 units. Special livery and bespoke
wheels, bespoke badging and grey and orange badging feature on the 180bhp hatch. A revised
upholstery. Two engines are offered. Abarth 695 Maserati Edition is also at the show.

Mercedes paves way for
Luxury coupé concept previews Mercedes’ replacement for the CL and hints at a convertible version
his is the Mercedes-Benz new styling theme on the well back behind the front materials and finishes, as part “high-sheen chrome surface”
T Concept S-class Coupé,

which gives strong clues
about the production form
of the company’s traditional
flagship model. Once again,
bodysides, with raised edges
running from the front wings
to the rear wheel arches.
Again, the car does without
B-pillars, suggesting that
wheels. The nose of the coupé
also adopts the look pioneered
by the baby CLA, although
this car has the upper part of
its grille surround extended,
of the modern luxury brief. The
doors panels are made from
computer-milled aluminium,
with the ridged finish “inspired
by Utah rock formations”.
at temperatures of 1000deg C.
This concept is powered by
a twin-turbo V8 that develops
449bhp and 516lb ft of peak
torque. The concept also
the replacement for the a convertible is also in the thereby giving it a retro The air vents are finished uses twin ‘stereo cameras’ to
current CL is a substantial works. This concept also gets reverse-rake nose. in a mix of white and polished produce a 3D view of about
machine, some 5005mm an almost entirely glazed roof. The interior is more aluminium and the centre 50 metres in front of car. This
long and 1958mm wide, with a The long bonnet dominates conceptual, expressing what console in a new ‘black information can be used to
2945mm wheelbase. the overall proportions Mercedes calls “sensual diamond’ finish created by pre-adjust the suspension
Like Mercedes’ recent and what Mercedes calls a clarity as an expression of a chemical vapour deposit system in anticipation of
smaller cars, the coupé has “cowering greenhouse”, the modern luxury”. Much effort process, which deposits approaching undulations.
the company’s distinctive impression that the cabin sits has been expended on new a precious metal on a HILTON HOLLOWAY
OFFICIAL
PICTURES
The exterior follows

the design lead of
new smaller Mercs
Electric concept hints at new four-seat Smart

SMART IS PREVIEWING its partnership with Renault. The the production Forfour due to
upcoming second-generation French firm will offer its own reach UK showrooms during OFFICIAL
Forfour at the Frankfurt motor
show with the unveiling of a
version of the rear-drive car as
a replacement for the Twingo.
the latter half of 2014. This
makes it a significant 258mm
PICTURES
new concept called Fourjoy. Although it forgoes doors, shorter, 294mm wider and
The new electric four-seat roof and tailgate, the shape 44mm taller than the original
concept provides clues to next and silhouette of the Fourjoy Mitsubishi Colt-based Forfour.
year’s Forfour, which has been is described as being close to The car has a turning
conceived and developed in that of the production model. circle of 9.1 metres and the
Key design features include Mercedes-owned company
Smart’s signature Tridion cell describes its manoeuvrability
— the exposed metal frame to as class-leading.
which its composite plastic The fanciful interior of the
body panels are attached. It Fourjoy is less production
is fashioned from aluminium orientated than the exterior. It
on the concept car but will be receives touchscreen controls
made of high-strength steel on and organically inspired
the production Forfour. seat designs in the front and
At 3494mm in length, rear, among other highly
1978mm in width and 1494mm conceptual touches. A much Fourjoy mirrors
in height, the Fourjoy is said more conventional interior will the production
This concept is a rear-drive EV to mirror the dimensions of be offered in the new model. Forfour’s size

S-class coupé OFFICIAL

PICTURE
Concept’s interior
aims to offer
“modern luxury” Toyota unleashes
Pullman name revived for stretched S-class
THE STRETCHED version historic Pullman nameplate that it had “a better chance”
414bhp hybrid Yaris
A 414BHP TOYOTA Motorsport- power, either for 10 seconds
of the new Mercedes-Benz for the new model. of succeeding in this niche developed version of the Yaris per charge under normal road
S-class, caught testing Mercedes axed the with the Mercedes brand. Hybrid is Toyota’s Frankfurt conditions, or five seconds per
here, will in effect replace Maybach brand in 2011, Stretched S-class models motor show star. charge on track. In Track mode,
the ill-fated Maybach ultra- after the car had been are likely to be priced from The road-legal Hybrid-R that burst is equal to 119bhp.
luxury marque when it goes in production for just £90k to £250k, with the concept is powered by a A third 60bhp electric
on sale early next year. The a decade. Sources say Pullman spec reserved for combination of a 1.6-litre, four- motor is used as a generator
company will revive the company bosses decided the higher-end versions. cylinder, direct-injection petrol to feed power to the super-
engine and an electric motor capacitor and also to manage
The new stretched attached to each of the rear power delivery to the electric
S-class will go on wheels — giving the Hybrid-R motors on each wheel, in
sale in early 2014 electric all-wheel drive. effect working as electric
A super-capacitor, originally traction control.
developed for use on Toyota’s Torque vectoring between
TS030 Hybrid Le Mans car, is the rear wheels is also
used to store energy. Toyota electronically altered depending
says the super-capacitor can on load to improve cornering.
store power at a higher density Toyota hasn’t ruled out
and faster than the metal- using the Yaris Hybrid-R
hydride battery used in the in motorsport and says its
standard Yaris Hybrid. configuration makes it suitable
The super-capacitor can also for use “in a number of
release a burst of maximum different racing categories”.
AUDI LAUNCHES NEW A3 CABRIOLET

Audi has revealed its bigger, lighter new A3 cabriolet at OFFICIAL
the Frankfurt show. The A3 cabrio has grown 180mm in PICTURE
length to 4420mm for a more elongated and elegant
profile, but weight is down 50kg to 1365kg compared
with its predecessor, aided by the lighter new MQB
platform. Body stiffness is also said to have increased.
The soft-top roof can be opened and closed in 18
seconds at vehicle speeds of up to 31mph. At its launch
early next year, 1.4 and 1.8 TFSI petrol engines will
be offered alongside a 2.0 TDI diesel. Other engines,
including a 296bhp S3 version, will follow.
SPECIAL WRANGLER AT SHOW LAND CRUISER CLEANS UP ACT

The Jeep Wrangler has spawned a striking The Toyota Land Cruiser is now compliant with
new limited-edition model for the Frankfurt Euro 5 emissions standards following a series of
show. The Unlimited Polar Edition has Hydra changes for 2014. The 3.0-litre diesel engine’s
Blue paint with a black interior, plus kit that CO2 emissions are down, and there’s a new look
includes a limited-slip rear differential. for the exterior and an upgraded interior.

New 918 Spyder is fast
Porsche’s 875bhp hybrid hypercar is set to go head to head with its rivals from McLaren and Ferrari
orsche has finally revealed and uses a bespoke chassis kerb weight by 35kg over the engine that produces 599bhp All up, the 918 Spyder
P the definitive production

version of the 918 Spyder
at the Frankfurt show.
Set to go into production
a week today, the 214mph
fashioned from aluminium,
magnesium and titanium.
This combination has helped
Porsche achieve a kerb weight
of 1634kg for the 918 Spyder
standard model.
The 918 Spyder is powered
by a plug-in petrol-electric
hybrid drivetrain based around
a mid-mounted, naturally
at 8700rpm. It is supported
by two electric motors, one
sited up front within the front
axle and another at the rear,
developing a combined
has a total system output of
875bhp at 8500rpm, which
equates to a power-to-weight
ratio of 535bhp per tonne
and makes the new model the
petrol-electric hybrid two- in its lightest form, despite the aspirated 4.6-litre V8 petrol 282bhp at 6500rpm. most powerful Porsche road
seater is planned to be built inherent complexity and bulk
in a run of no more than 918 of its petrol-electric hybrid Weissach package
examples, in left-hand drive powertrain and battery pack. brings extra aero
only, over the next 18 months. Removable roof panels and lighter parts
With a price tag of £657,400, that stow away in the nose
Porsche claims orders for its section allow the new
new performance flagship are Porsche to be used either
ahead of expectations. “We as a coupé or a roadster,
have taken deposits for more while an optional Weissach
than two-thirds of the planned performance package, which
production volume,” officials raises the overall cost of
revealed to Autocar. “Interest the car to £718,000, brings
is increasing by the day.” a series of aerodynamic
First revealed as a concept tweaks, including winglets
car at the 2010 Geneva motor to the bumpers for added
show, the 918 Spyder is downforce, as well as a number
based around a carbonfibre of lightweight components,
monocoque, comes clothed in including magnesium wheels,
composite plastic body panels that combined to reduce the
OFFICIAL
PICTURES

est road Porsche ever

car to date. Maximum revs for
the V8 combustion engine,
whose aluminium block is
developed electronic
management system offering
five different driving modes:
based around the unit used in E-power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid,
Porsche’s earlier LMP race car, Race Hybrid and Hot Lap.
is 9100rpm. E-power provides zero-
The maximum torque of emissions propulsion in front-
the hybrid system varies wheel drive electric mode for
between 676lb ft and 943lb ft, distances of up to 19.9 miles. So
depending on the gear in use. configured, the new Porsche
Drive is channelled through accelerates to 62mph from a
a seven-speed dual-clutch standstill in under 7.0sec and
automatic gearbox either to reaches a top speed of 93mph.
the front wheels under electric Porsche says that in Race
propulsion only or all four Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder
wheels with a combination of will storm from 0-62mph in just
petrol and electric power. 2.8sec — a significant 0.9sec
Energy for the electric faster than the V10-powered
motors is provided by a 6.8kWh Carrera GT supercar, built from
lithium ion battery mounted 2004-2007 — with 200km/h
low down at the rear of the (124mph) coming up in 7.7sec
monocoque and backed by and 300km/h (186mph) in
a four-year guarantee. It is 22.0sec. Top speed, aided by
charged both through plug-in active aerodynamics, is put at
means and electrical energy 214mph — a figure that makes
stored under braking. the 918 Spyder the fastest
High-tech control
The three power sources Porsche road car yet.
system features
are controlled by a Porsche- GREG KABLE
five drive modes
Will it be worth the wait?

AT LAST. THE way I feel
about the 918 is a bit like
the way I feel about the film
Rush. It has been so heavily
previewed that I almost feel
like I’ve seen it already. The McLaren
P1 and LaFerrari simply arrived, ta-da,
in finished form, and I wonder whether
the fact that the 918 was first shown
as a concept at the 2010 Geneva show
is to its detriment. In the same way
that there was a difference between
the original Boxster concept and the
final production car, inevitably the
production 918 doesn’t look quite as
exciting as the 2010 concept. I’m sure
it will be, even if the stats suggest the
918 will be heavier and less powerful
than its rivals. This is Porsche,
The Spyder weighs remember, a company not known for
1634kg; roof panels doing things wrong. MP
are removable
Mid-mounted
petrol V8 makes PORSCHE MCLAREN FERRARI
599bhp on its own 918 SPYDER P1 LA FERRARI
0-62mph 2.8sec sub-3.0sec sub-3.0sec

0-124mph 7.7sec sub-7.0sec sub-7.0sec
0-186mph 22.0sec sub-17sec 15.5sec
MANUFACTURER’S CLAIMED FIGURES
Top speed 214mph 218mph na

Power 875bhp 903bhp 950bhp
Torque 943lb ft 664lb ft 715lb ft
CO2 70g/km sub-200g/km 333g/km
MPG 94.2mpg na na
Weight 1634kg 1400kg 1255kg (dry)

Mainstream Citroëns set
Frankfurt concept previews C4 Cactus, due next February, and sets the tone for a new line of models
itroën could radically offs of existing models are success. We have chosen to Test mule has
C overhaul all of its

mainstream C-line
models in the spirit of this
Cactus Concept car, which is
being revealed at the Frankfurt
expected to follow, however,
if the new look is deemed a
sales success. Citroën officials
say they are optimistic that
Cactus cars could eventually
develop a line that will be loved
by some and hated by some. It
is better that way, rather than
being an average choice in an
overcrowded market.”
B-pillars but
retains shape
motor show and is set to go on replace more conventional The Cactus Concept is 4.21m
sale next February in largely mainstream models. long, 1.75m wide and 1.53m
unchanged form. “The C4 has many years tall, with a relatively high ride
The Cactus Concept will ahead of it in its product cycle, height of 21cm. It is expected
become the Citroën C4 Cactus so we have time to evaluate the to sit on the firm’s new EMP2
when it goes on sale. It will be success of the Cactus line,” said platform when it goes on sale. attention on the radical in the style of Dacia. Instead,
offered alongside the standard Citroën boss Frederic Banzet. The most obvious concept interior. They will be in place it says, it plans to use the new
car in the same vein as the “However, our research car element of the show car is for production, as indicated by look to re-engage customers
C4 Picasso. More Cactus spin- suggests it will be a sales that its B-pillars and side and the test mule of the production with the traditional Citroën
rear windows have version, which was spied values of comfort and style at
been removed testing in Spain last week. a modest price premium over a
to focus Citroën describes the Cactus standard C4.
as “shedding the superfluous”, Highlights of the interior’s
but is at pains to stress that it new look include the entirely
is not pushing to build digital controls, which sit on
budget cars a slimline dashboard on two
separate screens, sofa-style
front and rear benches, and the
use of more natural materials
on all surfaces. The central
8-inch touchscreen is used for
all of the car’s functions, such
as sat-nav, air-con, audio and
all driver aids.
The car also features what
Citroën calls ‘Airbumps’ on its
sides and around the bumpers.
As well as breaking up the
car’s clean lines, these air-
filled capsules are designed to
absorb minor impacts, such
as from a supermarket trolly,
OFFICIAL without scratching. and will
PICTURES make production.
JIM HOLDER
Alpina D3 gets six-cylinder power for the first time ALPINA IS MARKING its home unit and became Alpina’s markets get the option of
motor show in Frankfurt with best-selling model to date. It all-wheel drive. A limited-slip
the unveiling of its new D3 sold more than 2000 units. differential is also an option.
Biturbo saloon. The Euro6-compliant The D3 is distinguished
The BMW 3-series-based engine is good for combined by a series of subtle styling
D3 Biturbo gets the same economy of 53.3mpg and changes over the 3-series on
twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre CO2 emissions of 139g/km. which it is based, including a
straight six engine as the XD3 The 0-62mph performance subtle bodykit and the fitting
and D5 models, with outputs is rated at 4.6sec, with top of 19-inch Alpina Classic alloy
of 345bhp and 516lb ft. speed a claimed 173mph. wheels as standard. Alloys of
It’s the first time that a Alpina is offering the D3 20 inches in size are optional.
six-cylinder diesel engine has Biturbo in saloon and estate The new D3 is set to
OFFICIAL been used in the D3 by Alpina. body styles. Right-hand-drive reach the UK early next
PICTURE The new D3’s predecessor in models will be rear-drive year, although prices have
2005 used a four-cylinder only, while left-hand-drive not yet been revealed.
DEBUT FOR ALL-NEW X-TRAIL QUATTROPORTE GETS PLUSHER

An all-new Nissan X-Trail is starring at the Maserati is previewing a luxurious new trim level
Frankfurt show. Nissan didn’t reveal any images for its Quattroporte saloon at Frankfurt with its
in advance of the show, save for this teaser, but Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition concept car.
is promising a bold new look for its seven-seat Gloss black and metal trims feature, as do soft
SUV, which is due in the UK next year. leather for the interior and a special paint finish.

for radical overhaul

Why call it Cactus?
IT’S A FAIR question,
Confidential
CLARK ABEL, A start-up
British design and tuning
house, has created a Dakar
Rally-inspired Range Rover
Evoque as its first model. The
firm plans to offer bespoke
design and dynamic changes
given that the prickly to customer cars. “We want
plants don’t exactly customers to come and sit in
invoke thoughts of the studios with us and direct
comfort and simplicity. and design their own cars,”
In fact, the car was named said chairman Geoff Cousins.
after some of the cactus’s less
celebrated qualities, including its
ability to survive without drinking
much (think parsimonious fuel
consumption), its lightness for
its size (think efficient material
use) and its ability to protect
itself (think Airbumps rather than Car functions are
sharp prickles). JH controlled on the
8in touchscreen
SPYKER’S B6 VENATOR
Spyder will cost from £135,000
Q&A Mark Lloyd, when it goes on sale next year,
Cactus design manager Autocar has learned. It will be
sold alongside the £125,000
Why are you being car a sociable place. There B6 coupé. At the European
wilfully different? are anti-car codes in there, launch of the car, Spyker
“Some established such as the luggage strap CEO Victor Muller said that
automotive design door handles that evoke a he wanted to pitch the car
standards are bygone era. The exterior under the £200,000 mark at
lacking. We wanted makes a virtue of the car’s which Spyker has traditionally
to reduce the complexity of function: the bumpers, for operated to entice new buyers.
living with a car and make instance, are visible, as are
interaction with it less the Airbumps.” THE £2.5 MILLION Icona
stressful. Simplicity and Vulcano hypercar could enter
elegance were the goals. Will it make production limited production. Design
Citroën should be about like this? director Samuel Chuffart
innovation and well being, “There are typical concept told Autocar that the 950bhp,
and this car is our manifesto car flourishes, but they V12-powered car, first seen at
for that.” are all there to accentuate the Shanghai motor show this
our goals — nothing is year, could become a reality
How have you done that? superfluous. You will clearly for customers if the company’s
Windows and B-pillar “The interior focus is on recognise the production car investors see market potential.
have been removed comfort, and making the from this concept.” Chuffart also said that other
to show off the cabin engine options, including a
V8 and a twin-turbo V6, are
in development.
NEW VW GOLF PLUS PREVIEWED OFFICIAL
Volkswagen is offering a thinly veiled look at PICTURE
the Golf Plus replacement at Frankfurt with
the Golf Sportsvan concept. The production
version will follow in mid-2014 but won’t use
the Golf Plus or Sportsvan names.
The Sportsvan is 134mm longer than the
RADICAL SAYS THAT it
outgoing Golf Plus and 83mm longer than is able to produce up to 50
the five-door Golf on which it is based. The units per year of its new RXC
wheelbase has also grown 48mm over the track-day car. The RXC, which
is Radical’s first fully enclosed
Golf’s, and it’s 126mm taller and 80mm car, is powered by a 3.7-litre
wider to boost cabin room. Boot space rises V6 engine producing 380bhp.
It is capable of 175mph and
74 litres over the old Golf Plus’s to 498 litres. 0-60mph in 2.8sec.
KIA FACELIFTS THE OPTIMA REVISED DELTA ON SALE 2014

Kia has unveiled a facelifted version of its Chrysler/Lancia’s main Frankfurt offering is
Optima saloon at the Frankfurt motor show. a revised version of the Delta, ahead of sales
New front and rear designs feature alongside starting next year. There are detail changes
a revised interior. The 2.0 petrol and 1.7 diesel inside and out. New trims for Chrysler’s Ypsilon
engines carry over with improved economy. and Grand Voyager models are also at Frankfurt.

THIS WEEK
Steve Cropley
A week in cars The big picture behind Jag’s concept; and the award goes to…
Sir Stirling blagged a go in our Twizy, and loved it
It’s the platform

underneath that
really matters Free booze equals post-awards photo op smugness
MONDAY THURSDAY was poached to become tech

The priority for us hacks when
we first see concepts such
Sir Stirling Moss’s love Suddenly, Europe’s car industry
is awash with high-achieving
chief at Audi, was taken off the
job after a few months and is
as Jaguar’s C-X17, revealed
this week on p8, is always to
discover how close they are to
of eccentric urban execs doing nothing. McLaren
Cars’ managing director,
Anthony Sheriff, remains in
now being shown the door.
I’ve had extensive chats with
all three, who struck me as the
production. Is the exciting new
machine merely speculative, or
is it a showroom model in a false
moustache? Both eventualities
runabouts is well known some kind of unexplained
purdah, with rumours swirling
but insiders swearing he’s still
on the payroll. Renault boss
best of men (which may point to
shortcomings in my judgement)
that the industry can ill-afford
to lose. If these blokes really
are possible, although in the are less competent. This way, the phone. When next you see Carlos Tavares is now a spare are idle, maybe one might care
C-X17’s case you don’t get you reach the highest standards a Twizy zipping about in inner part, having voiced some half- to provide some leadership at
much help from history; in with every model, which is what London, look closely. The driver serious ambitions to run GM or Lotus, whose muffled “we’ve
recent times, Jaguar has aimed you need to beat rivals as tough might be famous. Ford, then sought a promotion got a plan” protestations seem
concepts in both directions. as ours.” Not for the first time, from group chief Carlos Ghosn less credible as the months roll
Talking to the new compact I’m impatient to see the future. WEDNESDAY that was rebuffed. And Wolfgang on, or at Aston Martin, where
Jaguar’s project director, Kevin To London’s Royal Garden Dürheimer, the ex-Porsche Ulrich Bez, who has dominated
Stride, and design boss Ian TUESDAY Hotel, scene of this year’s engineering boss who did such proceedings for a dozen years,
Callum at the unveiling inside Got chatting at the Goodwood Headlineauto Awards, motoring great things at Bentley that he will soon give up the helm.
Jaguar’s Whitley design studio, Festival of Speed with Sir journalism’s version of the
I formed the view that both Stirling Moss about our Renault Oscars, where Autocar people
Mr Land Rover’s half century

men found our preoccupation a Twizy and how well it works won seven of the eight prizes
little trite. For Callum, the point in the city. Stirling’s love of for which they were eligible.
was to prove that the beautiful eccentric urban runabouts is Mr Holder was declared Editor
far and
styling features of the F-type well known, so we agreed that of the Year, while our website Roger Crathorne, known
Lan d Rov er’ for his
Jaguar could be successfully after the holidays I’d bring the and its editor, Stuart Milne wide as ‘Mr
ineering
expressed on an SUV, a tough Twiz to his place in London’s won Website of the Year. driving exploits, his eng
t
assignment that has taken Mayfair so he could take a drive. James Ruppert (consumer contributions to significan
much painstaking development. He loved it, as I knew he would, journalist), Hilton Holloway models and his amazing
tory,
For Stride, the essence of the instantly mastering the controls (environmental journalist), grasp of the marque’s his
s 50 yea rs wit h the
C-X17 is the new-era flexibility and disappearing at full tilt into Mark Tisshaw (news reporter), celebrate
k in
of the small Jag’s aluminium central London’s back streets, Stuart Price (photographer) company this week. Bac
ding
architecture, which deals a death zipping through vans and taxis and Darren Moss (rising star) 1963, Crathorne was hea
in Britain ’s avi ation
blow to the limiting old concept as if he’d just signed for the all picked up richly deserved for a career
cars
of platform sharing. Twizy works team. He appeared individual gongs. It was a great industry but diverted into
for
“Without this new flexibility,” again after a while, wearing a night, which also made a pretty at the last minute. Lucky
Callum said, “you tend to make grin, and by the time I drove good point about the size of our Land Rover, lucky for us.
one great car whose offshoots away he had Renault UK on collective ambition.
steve.cropley@autocar.co.uk @StvCr

Chunky iV-4 is
similar in size to a
Mini Countryman
OFFICIAL
PICTURES
Suzuki lines up new baby 4x4

iV-4 concept previews Suzuki’s new four-wheel-drive compact SUV, set to go into production in 2015
uzuki’s latest concept, by customers. The iV-4 is just and boasting among the best As well as interior colours and motorcycles and ATVs, making
S the iV-4, made its global

debut at the Frankfurt
show and is said to give
very strong clues as to the form
of the company’s entry into the
4215mm long — marginally
longer than a Mini Countryman
— and 1665mm high.
Suzuki announced that the
production version will start
emissions in class”.
There will be two main
versions: a front-drive model
and a model equipped with the
next generation of Suzuki’s
textures, personalisation will
extend to exterior styling
packs, something that is big
business in China, suggesting
the iV-4 could also be
profits of around £544 million.
Although a Suzuki family
member has always run the
company, the biggest single
shareholder is Volkswagen,
booming compact SUV market. rolling down the line at the four-wheel drive system. manufactured by Changan which holds nearly 20 per cent
Suzuki says the ‘i’ stands company’s Hungarian facility The concept is described as Suzuki in China. of the company after a 2009
for ‘individuality’, ‘V’ for from 2015. “faithful to Suzuki’s traditional Suzuki is a successful deal. However, Suzuki pulled
‘vehicle’ and ‘4’ for ‘four-wheel The production car also SUV design DNA, including the manufacturer, shifting the deal in 2010 and is currently
drive’ and that the concept is “aims to be an SUV for the straight, sleek lines, clamshell 2.88 million cars globally involved in arbitration to get
designed to be personalised present day: light in weight hood and five-slot front grille”. last year and 2.27 million the shares back from VW.
New Gallardo takes Sesto Elemento design cues

THE REPLACEMENT FOR the test mule, which appears the replacement for today’s
Lamborghini Gallardo has longer than the current Audi R8, due in 2015. The new
been spied out in the open Gallardo, while the wheelbase spaceframe will result in a
SPY SHOT
NEW GALLARDO ITALY
for the first time ahead of its also appears to have grown, much lighter kerb weight than
expected launch in 2014. increasing interior room. the 1500kg of the current car.
The new two-seat supercar, The mule also reveals Power is set to come from
which carries the internal inspiration from the dramatic an updated version of the
codename LP724, is said Sesto Elemento concept car, Gallardo’s naturally aspirated
to have grown marginally. with a bold, angular front end 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine
Length is almost 4500mm, and similar treatment for the with around 600bhp and
or 16mm longer than its rear of the car. 400lb ft of torque. Manual
predecessor, with width and The new model follows and automatic gearboxes will
height remaining close to the example of its Gallardo be offered alongside standard
the 1900mm and 1165mm predecessor in sharing key four-wheel drive.
respectively of the current components, including a Rumours suggest that the Next Gallardo is
car, according to insiders. carbonfibre and aluminium Gallardo replacement will rumoured to be
This is backed up by the spaceframe structure with take the name Cabrera. called ‘Cabrera’
ANSAR ALI’S NEW SPORTS CAR EXTREME CATERHAM PLANNED

Former Caterham boss Ansar Ali has secured Caterham’s entry-level Seven 160 has been
funding for a 650kg mid-engined sports car. launched at the Frankfurt show. It uses a 660cc
Power will come from a 197bhp 2.0-litre Ford Suzuki engine with 80bhp and 79lb ft of torque.
engine. An aluminium tubular chassis features, Caterham will also reveal plans for a “new, ultra-
with recycled carbonfibre for the bodywork. high-performance model” later this month.

OFFICIAL
THIS WEEK
PICTURE
Matt Prior
Tester’s notes End of the nice steering wheel
Niro heads suite

of new small Kias
KIA’S NEW NIRO mini-SUV supermini-SUV segment.
concept is being used to “Right from the start,
preview a new platform this B-segment project was
that will underpin a whole about looking at where Kia
suite of future new models might take its contenders
from the firm in the in this part of the market,”
supermini segment. he says. “This is a growing
Full details of the Niro sector in Europe, and Niro
have been revealed to is just as much about our F40’s steering
coincide with its Frankfurt thinking for the future as wheel looked and
motor show debut this week. Provo [a compact sports felt just right
The concept is 4185mm hatch shown at the Geneva
long, 1850mm wide and show earlier this year] was.” he excellent steering wheel But the excellent steering
1558mm high, with a
wheelbase of 2590mm.
Features include large,
20in alloys and scissor
doors, but despite the
The Niro has a 2+2 cabin
with a large cargo area.
Power comes from a 158bhp
1.6-litre turbocharged petrol
engine for the front wheels
T is, sadly, an endangered
species. Where it once
roamed and rotated freely
within the motor industry, it
survives now solely in a few
The difference
between an F40
and F12 shows
wheel would never thrive again.
First came the volume control –
a simple extension of wiring
already installed for a horn.
Harmless enough, surely? If
radical looks, designer and a part-time hybrid secure reserves in Dartford in only we knew.
Gregory Guillaume claims
the concept is a serious
system to recover energy
lost under braking and power
Kent, Crewkerne in Somerset
and Weissach in Germany. a path of true We should have seen the path
that lay ahead of us, then. A path
declaration of Kia’s plans
to enter the booming
the rear wheels when road
conditions call for extra grip.
It never used to be this way.
Once, the excellent steering ruination for the that, as the difference between a
Ferrari F40 and an F12 shows, is
wheel – clean of design, round
in nature and thrice-spoked –
could be found everywhere.
steering wheel one of true ruination. After
volume control came the option
to station flick and control the
New Nismo GT-R will Yesterday I was in the Autocar

archives, when I realised just
how common the excellent
steering wheel once was. From
community with the viciousness
and indiscrimination of ash
dieback disease.
Fixing the airbag problem
cruise. And when electronics,
rather than just electrics,
arrived, that finished things.
Only then did we realise: no
be ‘very special’
NISSAN’S UPCOMING NISMO version of the GT-R has broken
hot Ford Sierra to Ferrari F40,
there was a good chance that
any driver’s car had an excellent
steering wheel, because it
was simply an enabler for
designers and engineers. Soon
a solution to massive airbags
came, and with it a belief in our
wheel looked or felt dynamic.
The feel had gone. The
appearance would have to be
designed back in.
cover doing development work at the Nürburging. The GT-R Nismo was a time before they were own cleverness. If we could I’m reluctant to apportion
will be the ultimate version of Nissan’s technical and performance intensively farmed to squeeze make airbags very small and blame, but I think Audi’s R8
flagship, with Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn already talking more muscle, bulk and function still go off at the right time, struck first. Racing cars have
up the model as “very special”. from this most fundamental of we could do anything. For the flat-bottomed wheels. So why
It is understood that Formula 1 team Williams is working with car control devices. first time, we saw the steering not road cars? It’ll make them
Nismo engineers on the project. The Nürburging test mule hints So, what happened? First, wheel’s true potential. We saw look racy. Curse that nugget of
at the aerodynamic package of the car, with a large, fixed rear the airbag, of course, striking it as an exotic, in the way the an idea in a designer’s brain
spoiler and body kit featuring. through the steering wheel Victorians saw the grey squirrel. that would forever render the
Williams’ carbonfibre nous is also likely to result in a big weight- most sporting cars’ steering
saving programme for the GT-R Nismo over the standard car, F12 wheel “ruined” wheels un-round in some kind of
while chassis upgrades and more performance from the 524bhp by its shape and effort to compensate for their
twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 are also certainties. mass of buttons bulk and ugliness.
The excellent steering
wheel has been chased to
near-extinction. Where it now
survives and is nurtured, it
thrives and excites. Perhaps
one day we will manage its
reintroduction into the wild.
Meantime, cherish those places
where it can still be found.
SPY SHOT matt.prior@autocar.co.uk @matty_prior

GT-R NISMO GERMANY

SPOTLIGHT
HYBRID SPACEFRAME CHASSIS

The basis of the Sarthe is what Luuk Potze refers
to as “a hybrid spaceframe chassis”. It is made of
high-grade tubular steel, with a safety structure
and rear subframe made of chrome-molybdenum
and an aluminium honeycomb floor structure.
The
W
back-to-basic
hen CDs went on sale
in the mid-1980s,
music industry
sages sounded
there’s an argument that a
mid-engined car equipped with
a large-capacity combustion
engine and six-speed manual
Vencer came into being in
2010 after chief executive
Robert Cobben had sold
his plumbing, heating and
began pulling together a team
of like-minded people.
“I didn’t really know
anyone I could call upon in the
any more; a manual-shifting
car, but with a modern finish’.”
Vencer grew to a team of
eight full-time employees
the death knell for vinyl. transmission is outmoded. electrical businesses and was automotive industry, but I had working out of the company’s
Three decades later, LPs However, start-up Dutch hunting for a new challenge. my plan and I spread the word base in Vriezenveen in the east
continue to hold sway among car maker Vencer believes an “As a car lover, I was inspired that I wanted to accomplish of the Netherlands. Freelance
connoisseurs, who maintain “analogue sports car”, stripped by all the brands around the a new brand. From then on, specialists were drafted in to
that music recorded on of all but the most basic of world, but there wasn’t the car people reacted to my search.” assist with specific aspects of
analogue equipment loses electronic assistance, is more that I really liked. So I started Lead project engineer Luuk the Sarthe’s development.
its purity when converted to relevant than ever. That’s what investigating how to start a Potze was the first employee. Vencer quietly developed
compressed digital files. it has set out to prove with brand myself,” he says. He says: “The first thing its car for more than two
In 2013, with Ferrari, the Sarthe, a new €265,000 Cobben sketched out his Robert said when I came in was, years, before unveiling a pre-
Porsche and McLaren all (about £224k) supercar vision of a back-to-basics ‘I only have one objective: to production version at Monaco’s
developing highly advanced, shown off at the Salon Privé supercar, inspired by Le Mans build a real analogue supercar Top Marques event in April.
hybrid-powered supercars, exhibition in London last week. racing cars of the 1980s, and of the type that you can’t buy From the outset, Cobben
LARGE-CAPACITY V8
The mid-mounted engine is
a GM-derived 6.2-litre V8
unit that produces 510bhp
and 480lb ft. It is mated to
a six-speed manual gearbox
with a limited-slip differential
and twin-plate clutch. The
company puts the Sarthe’s
0-62mph time at 3.8sec,
with a top speed of 202mph.

CARBONFIBRE BODYWORK THIS WEEK
Body panels are carbonfibre,
contributing to an impressively
low weight of 1390kg. “We used
a lot of materials to achieve all
of the objectives we had, like
torsional stiffness, crash safety
and so on,” says Potze.
s supercar
was adamant that he wanted
to develop and build a road-
ready car, as opposed to a
wildly styled one-off prototype
Cobben says the Sarthe is
“made to be driven on a daily
basis”, and some thought has
been given to refinement and
year and we want to deliver
them to car lovers and build
something special for them.”
Potze adds: “We have
Dutch firm Vencer thinks that there
is a market for ‘analogue supercars’
stripped of today’s electronic driver
aids. Matt Burt takes a closer look
rate of one car per month, with
deliveries to customers due to
start next year.
Long term, Cobben would
The Netherlands isn’t
renowned for its bustling car
industry, but Vencer prides
itself on using local parts
that would then have to be comfort in the hand-crafted put the car into a corner of like to see the company suppliers where possible, and
toned down for production. interior, which features the market where there are celebrate its 10th birthday, about 60-70 per cent of the
The Sarthe adheres to Vencer’s own infotainment not a lot of exclusive cars because that would be a sign car is built using components
European low-volume type and display system. around it, because if you that it has done things the sourced or made within an
approval regulations. The appeal, says Cobben, want the exclusivity of this right way. He is coy about hour of the company’s HQ.
Cobben says: “You see a will be to “distinguished car car, you have to go to Pagani, committing to future models And the name? ‘Vencer’
lot of small start-ups like us, enthusiasts who love the old Koeniggsegg and so on, and until he has had time to gauge means ‘to overcome’ in
but only a few have started to days of analogue technology, the price will be four or five reaction to this one, although Spanish and was inspired
build their cars. We started manual gearboxes and hand- times higher.” Vencer has launched a car by those who doubted
with the development of the built cars. Everything can be Vencer’s short-term design competition on its Cobben’s convictions when
car, and that’s a big difference bespoke. We are only building ambitions are modest: website that could throw up a he first stated his intentions
in mindset.” and selling a few cars each production is under way at a potential Sarthe successor. to build a supercar.
SELF-DEPLOYING SPOILER
The Sarthe utilises double
wishbone suspension all
round. At 62mph, the rear
spoiler rises for additional
high-speed stability, but there
are no driver aids apart from
compulsory systems such as
anti-lock brakes.

THIS WEEK
Joe Saward
Unearthing the juiciest stories from the world of Formula 1
Räikkönen (above) could well replace Massa (left)
Shake-up of Ferrari
F1 team was part of
Monza’s back story Renault feels forgotten, thanks to Infiniti livery
A giant game of musical chairs

hese are fascinating times is going to make, but there are Frank rebuild Williams. One executive vice-president Andy enable both firms to share
T in the world of F1. There

are countless rumours
about what is going to
happen, both in the sport and
the political background. It is
whispers that Ferrari’s chief
aerodynamicist, Nicolas Hennel
de Beaupreau, a Frenchman
who has been there since 2010,
will be departing Maranello. It
suggestion is that Brawn might
buy into the team, but in my
experience people in his
position prefer to be given
shares, rather than having to
Palmer and the head of Infiniti
itself, Johan de Nysschen, not to
mention Nissan’s corporate VP
of marketing, Simon Sproule,
who now holds a similar
the technology, while using
different brands. If all goes to
plan, engines being supplied to
Red Bull Racing and Scuderia
Toro Rosso in 2014 would be
very hard to know what is true seems that Hennel is going to pay for them, unless they can position at Renault. badged as Infiniti V6s, whereas
and what is not true. It is truly be replaced by South African- use that most perfect of The word is that the French Renault would continue to
a ‘silly season’. While most born Dirk de Beer, who has been currencies: OPM, or other firm is in talks with Nissan for supply its Renault-badged
of the focus is on the drivers the head of aerodynamics at people’s money. the partners to become joint engines to Lotus and Caterham,
and whether Lotus’s Kimi Renault since 2007. He was also It was interesting to see a owners of Renault Sport F1, while having more cash to help
Räikkönen will be signed by employed for a while at Sauber, very heavy Infiniti presence the celebrated engine-making these operations become more
Ferrari, there is a lot more going where he made his name. at Monza (besides US TV star operation in Viry-Chatillon, competitive. On paper it is a
on in the background in relation There are rumours that David Hasselhoff, who was which has won a long string win-win-win situation.
to the technical staff, whose Mercedes team principal Ross wandering around in Red Bull of world championships with With the FIA World
movements these days are just Brawn could head off to help Sir team gear), including Nissan the likes of Red Bull Racing, Endurance Championship soon
as significant in the overall Renault F1 Team, Benetton getting rules that will allow
fight for race victories. and Williams. Renault wants F1 engines to be raced in long-
Monza saw the first
appearance of James Allison
in Ferrari gear. He started
There are rumours that to increase its exposure from
F1 because the Red Bull cars
are covered in Infiniti livery
distance events, the engines
may also be seen in the LMP1
classes, where Nissan has plans
the year wearing Lotus black
but has since become the
technical director (chassis) at
Ross Brawn could head off and people forget that it is the
French who are building the
engines. If Nissan buys into
to make a major assault to win
Le Mans and where it is logical
to use the Alpine-Renault brand
Maranello. James is not saying
much about changes that he to help rebuild Williams the engine company, it will
reduce Renault’s costs and
to promote Renault’s revived
sporting brand.
BRIT WINS GP2 AT MONZA CHILTON’S CALIFORNIAN WIN

Britain’s Adrian Quaife-Hobbs scored his first Team Aon Chevrolet Cruze racer Tom Chilton
GP2 Series victory in the Formula 1 support racked up his inaugural victory in the World
races at Monza on Sunday. He outdragged Touring Car Championship event at Sonoma
pole-sitter Alexander Rossi and was never in California on Sunday. Honda’s Gabriele
headed thereafter. Tarquini claimed race two.
joe.saward@autocar.co.uk @joesaward
LAT

FIRST DRIVES
This week’s new cars
QUICK FACTS
PRICE £17,500 (EST)
ON SALE SPRING 2014
Volkswagen e-Up
8.9.13, Cologne Battery-powered Up brings Volkswagen into the electric car game
THE EV PIONEERS from Nissan, entirely familiar. Its 81bhp, 155lb ft much to put the 12.4sec 0-62mph
FIRST VERDICT Renault, Tesla and the like are firmly electric motor sits up front, while the time to the back of your mind. As a
Highly competent, but viability established; now, it seems, is the 18.7kWh lithium ion battery pack result, the car feels swift and special.
depends on price and intended use time for the next wave of players weighs 230kg and lies in the floor, so It’s a surprise, too, how little the
AAAAC to establish their credentials in

the electric car market. Hence, the
Volkswagen e-Up you see here, and
the centre of gravity is lower than in
a combustion-engined Up. There are
no interior space compromises, and
additional weight impedes the car.
At 1139kg all in, it is far from light,
but there are palpable benefits in
the Ford Focus Electric on p39. the interior fittings are near identical ride quality. Handling is reasonable,
SO GOOD Crucially, VW and Ford have to standard, save for the charging and even if the suspicion is that the extra
QInstant torque taken a different approach from the eco-orientated instrumentation. weight negates any benefits from the
QNear-silent drive opposition by basing their EVs on As ever, it’s the on-the-move lowered centre of gravity. Only the
QRunning costs existing cars. The benefits, they argue, experience that sets an electric car steering’s lack of feel disappoints,
come with the ability to drive costs apart. The Up’s silent progress is although VW is far from alone in
NO GOOD down through shared parts, and to
have the flexibility to build as many or
broken only by road noise, and the
instant torque is a revelation that does
facing that accusation.
VW reckons that it has stolen a
QInitial cost as few cars as they choose. march on its opposition via its energy
QCharge time VW isn’t used to following trends, recovery system, which at first sounds
QRange limitations of course, but its electric car strategy daunting but is quickly intuitive to
has long been one of biding its time, use. Via the gear selector, you can
the reasoning being that there is choose from four energy recovery
TESTER’S NOTE no economic case for rushing in, modes of varying aggression, the
VW has dropped as customer demand has been too lightest of which gently slows the car
the steering wheel- small. Now, though, sales are growing while the harshest is the equivalent of
mounted paddles in tune with political pressure and a good press of the brake. Examples
for setting energy a need to establish a pioneering of opportunities to use the modes
recovery levels. JH reputation in the field. include downhill runs or when
Drivetrain aside, the e-Up is almost e-Up’s electric motor produces 81bhp approaching traffic lights, and if

Some minor controls aside, the cabin is identical to that of a standard Up. Floor-mounted batteries mean space isn’t compromised
The e-Up feels quick and refined thanks to the electric motor’s instant, seamless torque; the ride is good but the steering lacks feel
Realistic about range

MEASURED ON THE New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), the e-Up
has a theoretical range of 160km, or 99 miles. VW, however, wary
of overstating the case and being pilloried by stranded customers,
has revised that figure, suggesting a more realistic 75–103 miles
in summer and 50-75 miles in winter.
On a 70-mile eco rally last weekend, however, with my mind
and right foot firmly aimed at economy (and hitting the required
30mph average speed), I managed to use energy at the rate of
9.3kWh/100km. That gave the Up a genuine range of 112 miles
from the 18.7kWh battery. Exceeding the stated claims was both
a surprise and delight. If car makers were free to quote beyond
(or below) the NEDC figures for combustion engines, the whole
VOLKSWAGEN E-UP
business of economy claims would be more trustworthy. JH Price £17,500 (est, after gov’t grant)
Top speed 81mph
0-62mph 12.4sec
you anticipate the road you soon charge time and your daily mileage. It weigh up the benefits of owning their Range 103 miles
find you hardly need the footbrake. will take nine hours to fully charge via battery, as in this case, or paying out CO2 Zero (tailpipe)
There are also three driving modes a standard socket, while a fast charger less initially and leasing the battery, Kerb weight 1139kg
– Normal, Eco and Eco Plus – which will do the job in half an hour. The as with the Renault Zoe. What’s clear,
Engine Electric motor,

progressively reduce power and infrastructure around you is crucial. though, is that the arrival of more 18.7kWh lithium ion battery
electrical systems depending on how The final assessment of the e-Up, competition, and smaller electric Power 81bhp
energy minded you want to be. however, must wait until we know cars, is bringing EV prices down and Torque 155lb ft
As in all cars, the range depends on its exact price. In Germany it will sell widening their niche, for which they Gearbox Direct drive with reducer and
how you drive, and the suitability of for around £22,500 pre-grant, which have a practical benefit. forward/reverse inverter
the e-Up to your life depends on the suggests that buyers will have to JIM HOLDER

QUICK FACTS
PRICE £9549
ON SALE OCTOBER
MG 3
3.9.13, Bognor Regis Chinese-owned MG takes on Dacia’s Sandero with its new budget supermini
MG MOTOR’S MG 6 has missed by a it finishes at £9999 for the range- company is hoping that the MG 3
FIRST VERDICT mile. It sells in numbers small enough topping MG 3 Style. Even if you order might divert some buyers from doing
Sharp, well mannered and neatly to shock even MG Rover in its dying every option, roof box included, it’s their Dacia maths to take an inquiring
styled, but dated engine lets it down days, and its price-to-desirability ratio not possible to spend more than look. MG is also targeting Skoda
AAACC isn’t remotely strong enough to tempt

despite its roomy cabin and sharp
handling. Its impact has been so
£12,000 on this car. And in three out
of its four trim levels it comes pretty
decently equipped, with appealing
Fabia owners and those who like
dressing up Citroën DS3s and Fiat
500s. Which might be a taller order.
minor, in fact, that many buyers have detail features such as a coverable What the curious will find is a
SO GOOD no idea that MG is still alive. dashtop sat-nav mount. surprisingly spacious hatch that,
QValue for money MG Motor hopes its MG 3 will Apart from competing in the in the right colours and with the
QTidy handling change that, despite the fact that the market’s biggest segment, the right decal kit (yours for £199 to
QRoomy inside formula underpinning its creation
QImaginative decor is much the same as the MG 6’s.
So it’s a little bigger than average
NO GOOD for the segment. It’s conceptually
and mechanically conventional. It
QUnrefined when stretched presents a mildly sporting overlay
QHigh CO2 output with its MG badging and a chassis
lightly tuned to suit. And many might
be surprised to hear that it has been
TESTER’S NOTE designed and engineered in Britain
With all the decal for MG’s Chinese owner, and is even
packs, there are part-assembled here.
1,117,600 potential But there’s one big difference,
variations. Not all and that’s price. This five-door, five-
will be built. RB seat, five-speed, 1.5-litre supermini
starts at £8399. More impressively, Sporty-looking seats offer a good driving position; alloys add extra aesthetic flair

FIRST DRIVE
The MG 3’s overall styling lacks flair, but decal options bring an eye-catching garishness. The price is its most attractive feature
Some of the dashboard plastics feel brittle, but the cabin is otherwise spacious and well equipped, with some neat detail touches
£225, depending on kookiness), can

look more modern than its quite
basic silhouette would suggest. It
also comes with a neatly finished,
quietly contemporary interior
that’s unexpectedly pleasant. Yes,
the dashboard feels hard, but it’s
pleasingly grained, the seat trim
is subtly imaginative and much of
the detail design, such as the stereo
and air-con controls, is of modest
‘surprise and delight’ calibre.
It also moves like an MG should. A well damped chassis and quick steering make for tidy handling and an entertaining drive, save for the ageing, asthmatic engine
The ride is taut yet well damped and
rarely turns uncomfortable despite That’s less true of the 105bhp kitted. This MG is no Ford Fiesta MG 3 FORM SPORT
over-audible bump-thump. The 1.5-litre engine, whose unfashionably challenger, but neither is its price.
steering is swift and turn-in obedient, vertiginous torque peak arrives after And few of its rough edges are sharp Price £9549
it’s grippy and at moderate to brisk some toeboard-thrumming boom to enough to be instantly off-putting. 0-62mph 10.9sec
speeds it corners as flat as a flounder. deliver performance as scintillating It’s taken two years to prepare the Top speed 108mph
Push it hard and throttle lift-off will as a second cup of tea. But it gets MG 3 for Europe, but the polishing Economy 48.7mpg (combined)
quell the understeer and move the about. The controls are well matched, has paid off. This lightly sporting,
CO2 136g/km
tail. True, the hydraulically assisted, the driving position is good and so exceptionally roomy, pleasingly Kerb weight 1150kg
moderately feelsome steering can is forward visibility. All models get insurable low-cost supermini is worth Engine 4 cyls, 1498cc, petrol
feel odd, the ride gets busy over six airbags, a hill holder and LED more than the sceptically quizzical Power 105bhp at 6000rpm
challenging roads and speed turns running lights, all bar one get hassle- cursory inspection that its decals Torque 101lb ft at 4750rpm
tyre and wind noise assertive, but this free Bluetooth, air-con and a DAB might initially inspire. Gearbox 5-spd manual
car is quite amusing when pressed. radio, and top models are generously RICHARD BREMNER

FIRST DRIVE
QUICK FACTS
PRICE £26,750
ON SALE NOW
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi

30.8.13, Vienna Frugal new-generation diesel engine makes debut in Vauxhall’s seven-seat MPV
THE SEVEN-SEAT ZAFIRA Tourer the fact that peak torque arrives at uncomfortable and there’s minimal
FIRST VERDICT is the first car in Vauxhall’s range to just 2000pm, and even in top gear it roll in corners.
Commendable new engine boosts receive its new all-aluminium diesel will – admittedly slowly – accelerate The Vauxhall’s steering is fairly
the capable Zafira Tourer’s appeal engine. Developed entirely within without bucking or hesitation. precise, but it’s not as consistently
AAABC
GM, the 1.6-litre unit is equipped Drop to a more appropriate gear weighted or as confidence-inspiring
with a single variable-geometry and it is suitably eager up to around as a Ford S-Max’s. ‘Fit for purpose’ is
turbocharger, advanced fuelling and 4000rpm, without becoming the key phrase here, and it can equally
exhaust gas treatment systems, and excessively harsh, and is capable of be applied to the Vauxhall’s brakes,
SO GOOD measures designed to quieten the propelling the Zafira Tourer along which pull it up with ease but could
QSmooth, quiet diesel engine combustion process. with ease. It doesn’t feel as muscular do with a bit more initial bite and feel.
QDAB radio fitted as standard Vauxhall has also revised its six- as the equivalent 2.0 CDTi, but The Zafira impresses elsewhere,
QCapable of decent economy speed manual gearbox, with new it doesn’t leave you wanting and with a comfortable and quiet cabin,
internals. These upgrades are claimed appears capable of averaging around myriad practical touches and decent
NO GOOD to reduce shift travel and effort.
The new engine is claimed to be
50mpg. In conjunction with a 58-litre
fuel tank, that should ensure a useful
kit levels (cruise and climate control
and DAB radio are all standard).
QObstructive gearshift action can capable of averaging 68.9mpg – range of around 640 miles. Crucially, though, the new engine
be annoying impressive given the Zafira Tourer’s Acceleration is hardly rapid, but the delivers what’s claimed, being quiet,
QBluetooth is a cost option on SE dimensions and 1626kg kerb weight. six-speed manual ’box benefits from tractable and economical. As a result,
More notably, its CO2 emissions are well spaced ratios and a long-legged those after a cosseting, enormously
rated at 109g/km, meaning a road top gear. The downside is that its practical and efficient MPV should
TESTER’S NOTE tax cost of just £20 per year and action is quite baulky and hampered take a good look at the Zafira Tourer.
You might baulk at appealing company car tax rates. further by an ungainly gearlever. The 1.6-litre diesel commands a
the price, but it’s The Tourer’s diesel engine is a On the road, the Tourer delivers a £1325 premium over the existing 2.0
unlikely you’ll ever remarkably smooth and quiet affair, pliant ride, its suspension dispatching CDTi 130, but the new engine is much
pay list for one of despite its modest displacement and potholes and ruts in a quiet and more sophisticated and could work
these MPVs. LK – for its size – relatively high output. controlled fashion. Smaller bumps out cheaper to run over several years.
Its power delivery is linear, despite can jar slightly, but it rarely becomes LEWIS KINGSTON
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER 1.6 CDTI SE

Price £26,750
0-62mph 11.2sec
Top speed 125mph
Economy 68.9mpg (combined)
CO2 109g/km
Kerb weight 1626kg

Engine 4 cyls, 1598cc, turbodiesel
Power 134bhp at 3500-4000rpm
Torque 236lb ft at 2000rpm
Gearbox 6-spd manual
Improved economy and emissions for new GM engine make a strong case for 1.6 over the old 2.0-litre engine. Cabin is quiet, too

FIRST DRIVE
QUICK FACTS
PRICE £23,549
ON SALE NOW
Even in top trim cabin is rather ordinary
admirable precision and even a little

zest. The power steering is quite direct
and feels substantial, and spring rates
are slightly higher than the crossover
norm, for a nicely clipped B-road ride.
You wouldn’t call the S-Cross
particularly refined, but it is a likeable
device, with charm, poise and value
making up for what it lacks in interior
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.6 DDiS Allgrip decoration and passenger space.
MATT SAUNDERS
SUZUKI SX4 S-CROSS 1.6 DDIS

The new S-Cross five-door a range that undercuts equivalent
ALLGRIP SZ5
FIRST VERDICT hatchback, just landed here, is from Qashqais by almost £2000. Price £23,549
Brings verve and value to the Qashqai that same mould. Technically, it’s an The car is quite low by crossover 0-62mph 13.0sec
class, but could be more practical SX4 S-Cross, but this new car is going standards, but it has a raised driving Top speed 108mph
AAABC head to head with crossovers in the
class above: the Peugeot 3008, Nissan
position and a big, split-level boot.
In equipment-rich SZ5 trim, the
Economy 64.2mpg (combined)

CO2 114g/km
NO ONE DOES cheap and cheerful Qashqai and Kia Sportage. panoramic sunroof eats into second- Kerb weight 1305kg
as well as Suzuki. With budget cars so Our first UK drive came in a range- row headroom, but passenger space Engine 4 cyls, 1598cc, turbodiesel
often worthy and one-dimensional to topping four-wheel-drive diesel is competitive with a normal roof. Power 118bhp at 3750rpm
drive, the Japanese firm has a knack which, at £23,500, might seem like Cabin quality is a bit ordinary, but it’s Torque 236lb ft at 1750rpm
of delivering cheap cars that don’t a deserter to Suzuki’s value-first all functional, hard-wearing stuff. Gearbox 6-spd manual
seem so cheap dynamically. philosophy, but it sits at the head of The S-Cross handles well, with

FIRST DRIVE
QUICK FACTS
PRICE £33,500
ON SALE NOW
Ford Focus Electric

4.9.13, Frankfurt Ford’s favourite family five-door appears in emission-free form
WE ALL KNOW how divisive and of the electric powertrain and its rate cabin refinement as a match for
FIRST VERDICT impractical electric cars are, but the battery, whose lithium ion cells are luxury limos costing north of £100k.
It raises the dynamic bar for EVs, reality is that they are actually quite concentrated over the rear axle, and Acceleration is brisk, at least in the
but its high price is disappointing fun to drive and possess impressive together raise the five-door hatch’s urban speed ranges. But approaching
AAABC
levels of refinement. So they should, kerb weight to 1700kg – 415kg motorway speeds, the Focus Electric
you might say, since Ford’s new Focus heavier than a 2.0 TDCi Focus. runs out of puff.
Electric costs £33,500 – or £28,580, The weighty battery pack, located Braking characteristics are
when the government’s £5k subsidy over the rear axle, might affect higher- pleasing though, which is not always
SO GOOD is factored in. That’s enough dosh speed handling, too, but we’ll need a the case with EVs or hybrids. Tuning
QSilent powertrain makes the to put the keys of a BMW 3-series in track evaluation to look into that. the transition of braking effort as the
cabin tranquil and refined your hands, but the comparison is The 23kWh battery pack is made motor switches to regeneration mode
QSteering and ride are well judged pretty meaningless for the bulk of us. up of soft ‘pouch’-type cells, with is a black art that Ford’s engineers
Ford expects to deliver about 30 internal chemistry by LG Chem. Ford have nicely mastered.
NO GOOD Focus Electrics next year, all of them
bolted on to fleet deals so that big
builds the battery pack in the US into
a sub-assembly, complete with its
A niggle might be the boot space,
which is reduced by the battery
QBattery pack compromises boot corporations can boast about their own liquid cooling system. pack to 237 litres, 126 fewer than
QRange is 20 miles shy of a Leaf’s green credentials. From this technology, Ford claims a standard hatch’s. But there’s still
QPrice is a real deterrent Which is unfortunate, because the a 100-mile range – that’s 20 miles enough room for a couple of cases.
Focus Electric displays best-in-class adrift of the Leaf ’s – although on our Given a more competitive list price,
dynamics, particularly steering feel short test we couldn’t put this vital the Focus Electric would make a
TESTER’S NOTE and ride sophistication, and in a measurement to the test. much better case for itself. A superior
The Focus Electric private buyer’s hands would make a Instead, the Focus Electric set of dynamics lift it towards the top
does have a gearbox compelling case for itself against less demonstrated a remarkably hushed of the class. But as it is, just a handful
— a single-speed dynamically impressive rivals like the cabin, with a barely audible whine of drivers among Ford’s corporate
reduction drive with Nissan Leaf and Renault Fluence ZE. from the motor matched by some customers will ever experience a
a 10:1 ratio. JR The ride, incidentally, is most tyre rumble and wind noise from the Focus Electric, which is a pity.
likely boosted by the extra weight wing mirrors. It is no exaggeration to JULIAN RENDELL
FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC

Price £33,500
0-62mph 11.7sec
Top speed 85mph
Kerb weight 1700kg
Motor AC electric motor
Battery 23kWh lithium-ion

battery pack
Power 143bhp
Torque 184lb ft
Gearbox Single-spd red
The dashboard display is tailored to the choice of motive power; 143bhp AC motor and 23kWh battery pack give a 100-mile range

Mercedes-Benz reckons a frugal A-class diesel can
lap the 780-mile perimeter of Iceland on a single tank
of fuel. Richard Bremner takes up the challenge
PHOTOGRAPHY BARRY HAYDEN

here’s a long curve coming CDI seven-speed automatic, yielding
BLONDUOS
FLJOTSDALHERAD
T and with luck, we should
just get through it without
throttling off. The view
ahead is good, so I straighten
the bend by cutting it. The
Mercedes settles as it steers, but at
the tightest point I can hear its tyres
scrabbling and wait to hear the
ra-ta-tat chatter of ESP. But no, we’ve
a slightly less helpful 64.2mpg. So
we have an 11-gallon tank and
780 miles to cover, which means
averaging 70.9mpg. And almost
every car falls short of its official
combined consumption in realistic
use. There’ll be no cruising at 85mph
on this trip, then.
Still, this is a 2014 model year
REYKJAVIK made it, and at all of 48mph. Only A-class, so we’ll get the chance for
START/FINISH JOKULSARLON
48mph? Yes, because this road is a some 50mph musings on the modest
gravel road. And we’re running on bundle of improvements Mercedes
cruise control, in seventh gear, with has wrought on its smallest model.
ROUTE MAP a mission to stay this way for as long The most interesting of these is
A clockwise lap is just shy and as far as possible. recalibrated suspension for a calmer
of 800 miles. Iceland’s
The reason for such low-speed ride, the adoption of conventional
Route 1 is a bit like a
longer version of the M25, excitement is a slightly peculiar tyres rather than the stiffer-walled
but with more volcanoes mission, and one that actually runflat variety and some upgrades
provides plenty of teeth-gritting to the multimedia system. There
moments. The goal is to complete a is, however, only one display we’ll
lap of Iceland in a Mercedes-Benz be looking at on this trip, which is
A-class on a single tank of diesel. the bar-graph readout detailing our
Why? Because someone at Mercedes minute-by-minute fuel consumption.
has calculated that an A180 CDI Brimmed to the point that diesel
should go that far, given its 50-litre drizzles down its wing and empty
tank and official combined fuel of baggage apart from its driver, the
economy of 74.3mpg. And we liked A-class is ready. The Sunday Times
the sound of the challenge. says you should take a fortnight to
Which turns out to be tougher still, savour the spectacularly picturesque
because the only A-class Mercedes- Icelandic circumnavigation, this
Benz Iceland can provide is an A220 island home to no less than 10,000 ◊

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A-class in Iceland | Drive
The trip’s initial

range estimate
doesn’t bode well
Fuel station marks Bremner scans the

the journey’s start road ahead for fuel-
and finish point wasting obstacles
Δ waterfalls and 130 volcanoes. But won’t be going fast, you’ll often need and grippy tyres, which should allow promising 500 at 33 miles and 600
we’re going to lap it in a philistine to be as vigilant as a sniper, reading us to tackle such intersections at after 49 miles, by which time the
two days. And our chances are not the road, the traffic and the displays, quite ambitious speeds. Why 51mph? average fuel consumption is 67.2mpg
looking good, according to the trip and never mind the fact that you’re Because this, or something close to – 3mpg more than the official figure.
computer, which estimates our range oozing along at 50mph. it, appears to be the optimal speed at Of course, ambling alo0ng at 51mph
at a discouraging 311 miles. That Our journey starts at a Reykjavik which to run a seven-speed A220 CDI is pretty tedious on most roads, but
won’t even get us to the icebergs on fuel station, where we brim the automatic. Combining the lowest in Iceland there’s plenty of scenery to
the other side of the island. Benz which will take us clockwise engine speed with the highest gear is quell the boredom.
Driving a car for economy around this volcanic island on the object; if the revs fall to 1200rpm, Sometimes this country looks a
requires a different mindset. You Route 1. And while the traffic is the Merc drops a cog to sixth, little like unspoiled rural Britain,
must press the accelerator as if your nothing to London’s, there’s enough instantly increasing its thirst. with grey cloud cover to go with it,
face was beneath it. Try never to to concentrate the mind, including In the meantime, cruise but more often it reminds you that the
use the brakes. Anticipate traffic some busy roundabouts. My aim is controlling at 51mph in seventh earth is a geological phenomenon –
situations to minimise your loss of to enter them without slowing much does wonders for its range. From the and an active one at that. Naked hills
momentum, and keep a beady eye on from 51mph, helped by the Merc’s initial ‘we’ll never make it’ 311 miles, vault from the ground, their strata
consumption. So even though you new, lowered ‘comfort’ suspension it rises to 373 after eight miles, a more exposed as if the erupting had ◊
YOU WON’T BE GOING FAST BUT YOU’LL

NEED TO BE AS VIGILANT AS A SNIPER

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A-class in Iceland | Drive
AFTER 123 MILES, THE MERCEDES IS

SCORING AN IMPRESSIVE 70.6MPG
Iceland has a monopoly on bleak, windswept waterfalls; fuel consumption bar chart doubles as terrain elevation map; handy mist prevented a spectacular scenery overload
Δ occurred mere decades ago. Rivers percentages rating your acceleration, on the other hand, is excellent and Early in these experiments with
churn a chemical aquamarine and smoothness and coasting. But at the much-studied. And at 123 miles the transmission and cruise control,
the landscape often smoulders with speeds we’re doing we soon score 100 Mercedes is scoring an impressive I find myself repeatedly flapping
the steam of distant geysers. per cent on the first two, the coasting 70.6mpg at an average speed of the right-hand paddle to trigger an
But there’s only so much time metric climbing to maximum after 48mph after 2.3 hours. Our 48mph upshift, before realising that you can
to admire all this, even at 51mph. we’ve rolled down a couple of hills. average underlines Iceland’s lack of simply pull back and hold and the
Sometimes, there’s a surprising After that it stays at 100 per cent the traffic, given that we’re rolling along change will eventually come. There
amount to concentrate on. The whole day; such a feature is likely to just three miles per hour faster. are other diversions, too. Trying to
Mercedes’ displays, for example. be more instructive in the cut and On these often twisted roads, score a full run of 15 identical bars
Besides the multimedia screen’s thrust of a daily commute. even that pace can be fast enough on the big screen’s consumption
fuel consumption bar graph, the The instantaneous economy to entertain, especially when there graph readout, for instance. Each
economy-promoting readouts readout is even less useful, on this are hills. The Benz just gets on bar represents a minute, and on one
among the instruments include an journey at least, because its scale with it going up ’em, but coming section we score 13 minutes at four
eco display and an instantaneous runs from zero to 40mpg. That’s down I realise that if you knock it litres per 100km, or 70.6mpg. That’s
economy reading, though oddly, only 62 per cent of the A220 CDI’s out of cruise, it might run faster the closest we ever get to the full line
they turn out to be of little use on official consumption and well short than 51mph, gathering precious of 15, but when you’re doing 51mph,
this trip. The eco display measures of its 70mpg-plus potential. So in momentum in the process. The trick it’s fun trying to get there.
your driving style, with bar graph effect it’s useless. The trip computer, is to judge the gradient right. The need to idle time away has ◊

Δ me realising that the bar graph hours at an average of 47mph. Our of 236 miles. We’re 44 miles short, a trip distance of 580 miles and a
also represents a contour map of the consumption: 72.4mpg. with 280 miles left to improve. 163-mile range. We’re 37 miles short
terrain you’ve just covered, a tall bar More important, though, is the When we arrive at the car park for of our target. The gap is narrowing,
recording a steep hill, a short one range, and at the start of day two it our compulsory stop at Jökulsárlón, but not by enough, and the traffic
a plain and no bar at all a descent. reads 314 miles. Add to that the 398 I leave the Mercedes as close to is thickening. Soon I’m making it
Most Icelandic roads are smoother miles already covered and we’re the road as I can to save fuel. Why heavier still, cruising at 48mph when
than Britain’s, too, but occasionally 68 miles short. Which is why we’re compulsory? Actually, it’s not, but if everyone else wants to travel 15mph
they’re bumpy enough to reveal a experimenting with lowering the you want to experience the drama faster. Doggedly staring straight
better-riding A-class for 2014, even if Merc’s cruise-contained pace in of standing 20 feet from an iceberg, ahead is the best strategy for heading
some choppiness suggests it ought to seventh, and why we’re now running it’s unmissable. This is the lake this frustrated, 20-vehicle queue. At
be better still. More impressive are its at 48mph on that dirt road. Except formed by the Breiðamerkurjökull 200 miles into today’s drive we’re
exceptionally comfortable front seats this track is turning hillier and glacier when it retreated from the scoring 68.8mpg – good, but short of
and a tempting ability to corner flat knottier now, killing all hope of using coast 65 years ago, a sizeable pool yesterday’s 70.6mpg. Then, after 700
on its new, lower-riding suspension, the cruise and, it seems, our hopes that’s become a way-station for these miles, the range estimate disappears
an advantage exploited at every of achieving the lap as the range fantastical, blue-streaked shards as with a goodbye beep and a fuel pump
empty roundabout and through tumbles well below 300 miles. Our they drift slowly oceanwards. symbol. It last read 62 miles, 18 short
plenty of bends. And at the end of day economy drops, too. After 102 miles Almost as arresting as the icebergs of where we need to be.
one we’ve covered 398 miles in 8.5 it’s 65.6mpg, with an indicated range is a fuel gauge reading a quarter full, The tension is rising, especially as

we climb a long, twisting hill. The we head to the next roundabout and
fuel warning beeps again, and we turn back. But there’s no faltering.
hunt for run-off areas in case the We pull up to a pump at 782.8 miles,
tank runs dry. We’re almost a traffic engine running, at a trip-computer
hazard, but I take my mind off it by average of 72.4mpg. Our adjusted
staring at another chunk of Iceland’s economy is 69.6mpg. The Mercedes’
other-world scenery, its volcanic 50-litre tank gulps down 51.09 litres,
terrain turbulent with a jumble of so we must have been running on
violently green, lichen-sheathed rock. little more than diesel froth. Despite
But this is all forgotten as we reach spending 17.13 hours at the wheel
the edge of Reykjavik at 770 miles. at a 45mph average, we now wish
The warning beeper sounded its last we’d driven until the car stopped, to The overnight
miles back, apparently abandoning see how much farther it would have stop left a lot
hope of a refill. And then, when we gone. But instead, I get in the Benz to be desired…
see the fuel station that marked the and drive it with abandon, using
start of our trip, I miss the entrance. revs, gears and speeds untouched in
Punishment, surely, must come for celebration. It’s a shame to trash our
this error, and I wait for the stutter as numbers, but it feels good. L
Must-see scenic
diversions dented
AT 700 MILES THE economy a little
RANGE ESTIMATE
DISAPPEARS WITH
A GOODBYE BEEP
Volcanic dust
cloud posed no
threat to safety
A220 CDI beat

Mercedes’ own
economy claims
If you enjoyed this feature, go to

autocar.co.uk/puredriving, where we’ve
teamed up with Dunlop to celebrate some
of the world’s best driving experiences

ime changes everything. Our 1967 road test of
T the Jensen Interceptor described a spell on the

Continent thus: “On autoroutes, 120mph is a
comfortable and very relaxed cruising speed,
and even on a blustery day with teeming rain,
stability was excellent.”
As I stepped from an Interceptor after a low-speed
bumble through Oxfordshire, if you’d promised me
the car’s signed V5 document in return for taking it
to 120mph, even in the dry, I’d have thought long and
hard. I could live with the shockwaves over urban
ridges, the overly light, steer-by-mail helm and the
initially disconcerting absence of seatbelts, but the
loose body control, and the confidence that robs,
would be the killer gripe (not that the breathy, carb-
fed 7.2 I tried would likely reach 120mph, anyway).
That short stint in the Interceptor was still a treat,
though – Italian styling (by Carrozzeria Touring) and
American V8 muscle (by Chrysler) alchemised by a
maverick British manufacturer made a heady cocktail
that has become stronger with age.
But, for most, a stint is all you’d want. We’re so
spoiled by modern chassis dynamics, drivetrains and
safety kit that driving such a car wears quickly, not to
mention inevitable reliability issues.
Enter the ‘Interceptor R’ you see here, built to
order by Jensen specialist Cropredy Bridge Garage in
Oxfordshire. Following the ‘S’ models commissioned
in 2007 that featured General Motors’ LS2 6.0-litre V8
with 414bhp, the R is the most thoroughly modernised
Interceptor to date. At its heart is a 429bhp 6.2-litre
LS3 V8 (Chrysler’s Hemis could also be used for
heritage value; GM lumps were chosen for ubiquity).
But this conversion isn’t just about modern
horses, as the 1500 man-hours that it required would
indicate. The shell from an early Mk3 was chemically
stripped and irredeemable panels replaced. Then
resealing, primer, paint and Waxoyl allowed a ◊
Jensen Interceptor R | Drive
JENSEN
INTERCEPTOR
REBOOTED
The world’s most distinctive hatchback now has the ability
to match its looks following a detailed and comprehensive
modernisation. Richard Webber drives the Interceptor R
PHOTOGRAPHY PETER SPINNEY
Wheeziness and splutters have
been traded for an aggressive growl
Δ vastly improved fit and finish, while a new front A thorough interior retrim trades patina for
spoiler adds aesthetic balance. plushness, using plump piped and stitched leather
Jensen was partial to parts bins, with Jaguar and precision-fitted carpet. The GM-spec gear
a major source, so there’s some lineage in the R’s lever and start button are glaringly incongruous,
largely E-type and XJS-based independent rear but the button is optional and the lever can
suspension that replaces a live rear axle and be subbed for the original shifter if preferred.
leaf springs with lower wishbones, stressed Elsewhere, modern kit is seamlessly integrated.
driveshaft upper links and trailing arms. There’s The stock air-con pump – a known problem area –
a pair of adjustable custom coilovers on each has been replaced but utilises the original finned
side, and existing panels designed to strengthen dials and chunky toggle switch, and there are
convertible Interceptors are re-employed as period-faced but digitally operated instruments,
suspension mounts. Up front, a custom coilover on a reassuringly thicker Moto-Lita steering wheel
each side works with reconditioned original double and a retro stereo head with modern functionality
wishbones. Castor has been ramped up to increase (additional audio controls are hidden beneath the
self-centring and stability, and the rack and pinion central armrest). There are seatbelts now, too.
power steering is reconditioned, too. The car sits On the move, the upgrades are transformational. Its General Motors LS3 V8 delivers 429bhp and 424lb ft
about 30-40mm lower than before. Does it drive like a brand-new luxury GT? Not
Although the Mk3’s brakes were advanced for its quite. But do the changes make it real-world
day, with ventilated discs all round, the R’s much driveable, reliable and enjoyable? Absolutely.
bigger front discs and AP Racing six-pot calipers The throttle is bitey when manoeuvring, but
– accommodated by a two-inch gain in wheel pick-up is smooth once under way. There’s a
diameter – mean solid rotors suffice at the rear. metallic engine chatter that faintly echoes the
Among Cropredy Bridge’s 18 modernised previous incumbent, but wheeziness and exhaust
Interceptors (16 hatchbacks and two drop-tops), splutters have been traded for an aggressive growl
there have been a few Tremec T56 six-speed and deeper tailpipe note. A 480bhp spec is also
manuals, but most have the programmable four- offered, but 429bhp doesn’t disappoint, the hearty
speed GM torque converter fitted here (a six-speed shove of muscle-car brawn heightened by an
auto is optional) that replaces the original Chrysler irresistible wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing thrill.
three-speeder. A Salisbury Powr-Lok rear limited- The gearbox is slow to kick down following
slip differential matches original hardware but is a sudden throttle requests and does so a little
reconditioned XJS unit. roughly, but upshifts are smooth and gears are The new suspension transforms its on-road behaviour

1972 Jensen 2012 Jensen
Interceptor Mk3 Interceptor R
Price £6500 (approx) £150,000 (approx)

0-60mph 6.4sec 4.5sec (claimed)
Wheels are 17 inches; originals were 15s Top speed 137mph Over 167mph (claimed)
Economy 14mpg 20mpg (est, touring)
Kerb weight 1675kg 1775kg (est)
Engine layout V8, 6276cc, petrol V8, 6162cc, petrol
Installation Front, longitudinal, RWD Front, longitudinal, RWD
Power 330bhp at 4600rpm 429bhp at 6600rpm
Torque 425lb ft at 2800rpm 424lb ft at 3800rpm
Power to weight 197bhp per tonne 242bhp per tonne (approx)
Specific output 53bhp per litre 70bhp per litre
Compression ratio 10:1 10.7:1
Central cubby features a maker’s plaque Gearbox 3-spd auto 4-spd auto
Front suspension Double wishbones, coil Double wishbones, coil
springs, anti-roll bar springs, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension Live axle, leaf springs, Lower wishbones,
Panhard rod stressed driveshaft upper
links, radius arms
Brakes 273mm ventilated discs (f), 330mm ventilated discs (f),
273mm ventilated discs (r) 280mm discs (r)
Wheels 6.5Jx15in 7Jx17in
Tyre 205/70 VR15 235/55 VR17
Roof lining is period-look stitched leather
held as long as you’d wish during a sprint. Twisting

A-roads reveal mid-corner ratio-hunting when
pushing on, and unexpected downshifts aren’t
welcome when governing 424lb ft on a constant
throttle. An electronics remap (or, dare I say it,
paddle shifters) could address the problem, but
reverting to slow in, fast out settles the ’box nicely. Behind the 1970s facing lies 21st century air-con, audio system and digitally operated dials; you get seatbelts, too
Unexpectedly, it’s this gearbox quirk that curbs
your pace rather than the chassis. You can lean
on the Interceptor R through corners in a way THE LURE OF A MODERNISED INTERCEPTOR
that’s unimaginable in the original. There is
some roll, but it quickly settles into stability, and JENSENS HAVE frequented borne of demand from alumni key and go, then have the
although there’s still a little floatiness, it’s perfectly Cropredy Bridge Garage since of the car’s boyhood fan club. reliability to get home again,”
acceptable. Urban niggles aren’t overly intrusive 1972, when the owner bought A paid-up member of that gang says Robins. “Then it’s about
and bigger bumps are parried, not amplified. The an Interceptor for himself is the R’s owner, Mike Robins, usable performance, braking and
steering lacks modern directness but offers much and wanted it maintained whose father ran a business watertight bodywork. The idea of
more confidence than before. in-house. He sent a mechanic opposite the Jensen factory in modern mechanicals in a classic
Motorway stints reveal improved refinement for work experience at Jensen, West Bromwich. car is hugely appealing. Some
thanks to better panel fit and sound deadening. sparking a specialisation that “We’d see and hear these purists think it’s sacrilege, but
There’s some exhaust drone at 70mph and wind subsequently flourished. Four cars thundering up and down the reality is I saved my car from
noise is still evident. But this is one Interceptor years on, with Jensen bankrupt, Kelvin Way,” he says. “The death. It was not on the road and
you’d be perfectly comfortable taking to 120mph. two mechanics from the factory Interceptor’s space-age looks, never would have been.”
The stoppers are certainly more powerful now but and a huge stock of spares were with its long nose and sweeping Robins’ next project? A
require careful modulation. taken on by Cropredy Bridge. rear window, stuck in my mind, barn-find Jensen FF that’s
Forty-four years ago, we said the Interceptor was After decades of maintaining and the idea of a V8 muscle car slated for concours restoration,
“more for the successful tycoon than the sporty and restoring Interceptors, the was aspirational.” but not before a supercharged
playboy” and “an invigorating way to get about. garage now also modernises Why spend on a modernised ‘rat rod’ tune-up that is expected
All it lacks for the moment is better handling”. them to order. Interceptor when solid originals to dispatch 1000bhp through
On that basis, our gripe has now been addressed, The Interceptor Ss cost about £20,000? “I just its original four-wheel drive
while the car’s merits have been retained with care commissioned in 2007 were wanted to jump in, turn the transmission.
and enriched with modernity. L

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ROAD TEST No 5131 ad you asked us 10 years ago for
H our bet on which manufacturer

would be the first to introduce
a viable, fast, practical and
Tesla Model S
In theory, this all-electric luxury car looks a hit. So is it in practice?
competitively priced all-electric
luxury saloon to the UK, we would
have looked to Germany or Japan or
even South Korea for a credible tip.
The fledgling upstart from Palo
Alto in the US, only just incorporated
in 2003, would not even have been a
MODEL TESTED Model S Performance blip on the radar. But, within a decade,
Tesla has gone from CEO Elon Musk’s
O Price £78,900 (est, including £5k government grant) O Power 416bhp O Torque 443lb ft O 0-60mph 4.7sec brainchild to deadly serious player in
O Fuel economy 411Wh/mile O CO2 emissions 0g/km O 70-0mph 44.9m O Skidpan 0.95g the unpredictable business of building
(and selling) zero-emissions cars.
WE LIKE Practical real-world range Q Sense of class QThe level of comfort and ease of use
PHOTOGRAPHY STUART PRICE
OThe door handles are one of the Tesla’s OThe Model S comes with 19-inch OA mix of halogens and LEDs make up OFolding door mirrors are another
many party tricks. On the move or parked alloy wheels as standard, with these the base headlight cluster, but xenons of Tesla’s options, although they will
up, they remain flush with the metalwork, far prettier 21-inch wheels on the are also on the options list, as are full come as standard on the forthcoming
but go to use them and they electronically options list. The ride suffers a touch, LED headlamps. Signature models.
sprout from the body. but the trade-off is worth it.

Following the now-defunct HISTORY
Roadster, the Model S is the first DESIGN AND ENGINEERING New car makers are a rare
prong in a plug-in trident of a plan phenomenon. The industry
that includes a smaller saloon and a AAAAA is too big, sophisticated
crossover SUV in the not too distant and vertically integrated to
future. On paper, the Model S is ideally The Model S may look like a permit new members to sign
placed to take sizeable bites out of the conventional – albeit intensely stylish up on a whim. But Tesla
market share of Audi, BMW, Jaguar – executive car from the outside, but CEO Elon Musk probably
and Mercedes-Benz. Unlike anything only because Tesla has opted to make thought that doing it
we’ve seen before wearing a tax disc, it visually follow convention, in part better would be one of that
it has the size, pace and, yes, range because that’s what buyers are used to. afternoon’s easier tasks. Elise-based Roadster was Tesla’s first model, in 2008
to compete with a conventionally The truth is, though, that beneath It hasn’t been all plain
powered rival. Does it have the finish, its skin lies a mix of technologies sailing, though. The Roadster, launched in 2008, was generally well received,
panache, quality and character, too? whose positioning doesn’t actually but it was a novelty rather than a game-changer. Accordingly, it’s only with the
Read on to see if Tesla’s latest qualifies relate to the straightforward bonnet, Model S’s US sales orders that the company has been able finally to post a profit.
as current landmark or future landfill. underneath which is a generous ◊
WE DON’T LIKE Charging time Q Steering inconsistency Q Overly protective drivetrain
OIn true Silicone Valley style, the Model OThe Model S’s badges take OThe carbonfibre accents on OA panoramic roof is also added
S comes with a reversing camera as advantage of an as yet untapped the body — most noticeably the only via the options list. Without it, you
standard, but only in standard definition. source of naming: the size of your rear spoiler — are exclusive to the get a solid ceiling and a much darker
If you want to see what’s behind you in battery. In this case, it’s 85kWh. Performance edition of the car. interior to go with it.
high definition, you’ll have to pay extra.

ON THE INSIDE
O Alongside the glovebox, this central cubby is
the only place into which front seat occupants can
empty their pockets. There are no cupholders,
no centre console storage and, ironically enough,
nowhere special for your phone, either.
O It should be no surprise to find Mercedes

O This single round dial relays speed, throttle switchgear in here; Daimler remains Tesla’s
position and energy regeneration level. It’s easy third-largest shareholder. And it’s all solid,
to decipher. ‘Ideal range’ means what you’ll get if functional stuff. The column shifter, in
you proceed at 55mph. particular, frees up welcome space elsewhere.
COMMUNICATIONS secondary system can fill the entirety

Specify the optional Tech Pack of that 17-inch touchscreen and relies
and you get Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a on a decent 3G connection to access
permanent 3G data connection, which Google mapping. This can make
feeds information into the sat-nav, web programming a bit slow when you’re
browser and audio system. It will even out in the sticks, but it works brilliantly
connect to your home Wi-Fi network where there’s good mobile coverage.
when updating its firmware for a faster
transfer speed. Bluetooth connection ENTERTAINMENT
takes less than five seconds. You get an AM/FM/DAB tuner but no
CD player. You can stream music via
NAVIGATION Bluetooth or USB. The radio accesses
It’s a ‘buy one get one free’ deal. The internet radio, and the web browser
primary system operates via the offers endless amusement value —
instrument binnacle. It’s low on detail where the data connection allows.
but reliable and easy to use. The Audio quality is good.

Δ amount of luggage volume rather the air suspension (which features
than an engine or even motor and double wishbones at the front and
power converter. multi-link at the rear). Performance
The Model S has an aluminium Plus brings uprated dampers,
and steel monocoque, whose front bushings, anti-roll bars and 20mm
reinforcement and generous crumple wider rear tyres and is said to improve
zone afford it great crash strength. both ride and handling.
The battery pack sits beneath
the cabin floor and its subframe INTERIOR
contributes to torsional rigidity,
although the entire pack (see ‘Under AAAAB
the Skin’, p59) can be swapped out
by a special automated jig within The advantages of the Model S’s
two minutes. powertrain become as plain when
Our test car came with the highest you begin to explore the cabin as they
specification of three battery options, are every time you drive past a fuel
which comprise a 60kWh pack station. The extravagant freedom
(claimed 208-mile range, 5.9sec from convention is almost worthy of
0-60mph time), an 85kWh pack a concept car. You’ll find evidence of
(265 miles, 5.4sec) and an 85kWh it the first time you open both bonnet
Performance pack with the same 265- and boot and see the cargo volume
mile range as the conventional 85kWh that’s split between them: an estate-
battery if driven in the same way but trumping 1795 litres. Only a pure EV
with a higher-capacity drive inverter could deliver packaging like it.
that allows greater performance – a But you’ll be even more struck by
claimed 4.2sec 0-60mph time. The the enormous touchscreen on the OThe front seats are a bit flat and unsupportive, but there’s plenty of legroom.
drive motor in this spec gives 443lb ft centre of the fascia. Like an extra- However, the provision of headroom could be more generous.
of torque from rest and 416bhp. large iPad turned portrait, it’s used
To add further complication, there’s to control everything from the air
a Performance Plus pack, which conditioning to the selectable ride
doesn’t affect the battery but does alter height of the air suspension. It ◊
HOW BIG IS IT?

0.24
930m m min
m max
m
880m
800m
690-1645 litres
n
1445mm
n
mi ax mi x
m ma
150 mm m 0m m
litres 79080mm 67 00m
10 10
1005mm 2960mm 1005mm

Typical rear
46% 4970mm 54%
39% legroom 890mm
VISIBILITY TEST
Front
Very good. Pillars
seem quite slim and
the driving position OThe accommodation levels aren’t quite limo grade back here, but they are
is more raised than close. The lack of rear-seat entertainment options is a disappointment.
Turning circle: 11.3m
the norm. Rearward

1964mm
view is not so good. 1662mm 1700mm
Headlights
The adaptive
bi-xenons (part
of the Tech
Pack option) are
excellent.
WHEEL AND PEDAL ALIGNMENT Width 1000-1550mm

Spot on in both cases. The pedals are
perfectly positioned for your right foot 20mm 155mm
and there’s more adjustment than
you’ll need on the steering column. The Length 1100-1900mm
Height 220-420mm
footrest for your left foot seems a bit
misplaced, though.
OTwo occasional third-row seats cost about £1400, but they’re for smaller
children only. The boot itself is large — and there’s another one up front.
Centre

ON THE ROAD
T3 Δ relays information about battery
Track notes charge, energy consumption, the
sat-nav and the audio system and,
DRY CIRCUIT T6 at a stroke, eliminates the need
Tesla Model S T2 T5 T7 for individual buttons for the
Performance sunroof, demister and charging port
1min 19.9sec door release. In some cases, this
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 T1 convergence adds complication to
1min 18.3sec T4 Start/finish what ought to be simple processes.
The powertrain entered But mostly it seems light years ahead
safe mode before we of ordinary cockpit functionality.
could complete a flying lap The interior is comfortable and
— possibly due to potential O The steering weights up attractive, with a few caveats. The
overheating — but before suddenly through high-load seats should be more supportive and
that the car was within O It breaks through the 100mph barrier before corners like T7, but grip oddment storage more generous.
1.0sec of BMW M5 pace. slowing into T3, which is the hallmark of a fast car. levels are good. Headroom is a bit tighter than we’d
like, although it is still sufficient for all
but the tallest occupants.
WET CIRCUIT O Long bends at T5 and T6 bring Material quality could be better.
Tesla Model S the worst out of the stability control, The veneers and accent trims on the
Performance costing the car at least a second. T5 T6 fascia look pleasant from a distance
1min 22.3sec but don’t stand up to close inspection.
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 T7 That could have been because our test
T3
1min 16.0sec car was a prototype. Whatever the
Skinnier front tyres cause, it’s a quibble in a roomy, bold,
and an unimpressive T4 T8 fresh and singularly modern cabin.
stability control system
limit the lap time here. O Understeer is most obvious into T2 PERFORMANCE
The car tends towards T2 T1 and T3, and it limits how much apex
understeer. Start/finish speed you can carry. AAAAB
It wouldn’t be possible to combine
ACCELERATION 20deg C, dry the Model S’s remarkable refinement,
Tesla Model S Performance potency and calming ease of use in
Standing quarter mile 13.4sec at 105.2mph, standing km 24.9sec at 125.6mph, 30-70mph 3.7sec, 30-70mph in fourth na one combustion-engined saloon.
30mph 40 50 60 70mph 80mph 90mph 100mph 110mph 120mph Install a sufficiently large piston
2.2s 2.9s 3.7s 4.7s 5.9s 7.3s 9.2s 11.7s 15.3s 21.7s engine to deliver the same outright
0 5s 10s 15s 20s speed as this all-American EV and
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 – unless you’re Rolls-Royce – you’re
Standing quarter mile 14.1sec at 102.4mph, standing km 25.3sec at 132.2mph, 30-70mph 5.0sec, 30-70mph in fourth 7.1sec likely to end up with noise, vibration,
30mph 40 50 60 70mph 80mph 90mph 100mph 110mph 120mph complication and even physicality in
2.1s 3.1s 4.1s 5.6s 7.1s 8.9s 11.0s 13.5s 16.5s 20.0s the driving experience. None of which
0 5s 10s 15s 20s the Model S suffers in the slightest.
Modern performance saloons
are made better by some of that, of
BRAKING 60-0mph: 2.71sec course – but that’s not what the Model
30mph-0 50mph-0 70mph-0 S is about. Rather, it’s like the 21st
DRY 8.6m 23.2m 44.9m
century’s equivalent of the old V12
0 10m 20m 30m 40m 50m
Jaguar, BMW or big Benz: torquey,
WET 9.5m 26.4m 52.7m
suave, relaxing – a privilege and a rare
30mph-0 50mph-0 70mph-0
pleasure to just waft around in.
On the limit
The Model S can’t sustain being flat tripped into safe mode and cut peak the mix, the steering can load up, The stability control needs
out for very long. For short bursts of output by at least 50 per cent. momentarily becoming so heavy that development. It’s intrusive and
full-power acceleration, the electric The chassis also runs into it’s almost immovable. Reduce your unhelpful at times. But the robustness
powertrain works brilliantly. But we immediate difficulties when you ask effort levels to about eight-tenths — of the powertrain and the consistency
couldn’t complete one flying lap of of it things that quite commonly get as high as they’d ever be on the road of the helm are the biggest limiting
the dry handling circuit before the asked of a super-saloon on a track. — and the car exhibits reasonable factors to exploring what a Model S
battery, inverter and electric motor With high lateral cornering load in balance and good body control. can do when pushed to extremes.

The genius of its delivery is all The Model S gains
about instant, perfect accelerator speed effortlessly
response. Flatten it and the Model and rides well enough
S takes off from standing with the
ferocity of a super-saloon. We timed
the car at a 4.7sec two-way average to
60mph, which is marginally slower
than Tesla’s claim. But it’s also faster
than the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
we timed in 2011 – a car that was
burning fossil fuel at a rate of 7.8mpg.
So the Model S likes to stretch its
legs. But even more wonderful is
how precisely and effortlessly you
can meter out that pace. Surges of
force from that electric motor carry
the Tesla forwards like a stiff breeze
does as it hits the spinnaker of a
racing yacht. And response borders
on the incredible at that most normal Model S is every bit as good as you’d it undoubtedly is, you want this car it’s probably enough to work with,
of speeds – 40mph – where the expect it to be on both fronts, given to be quiet as well. Its appeal comes balanced against one key reward:
reduction gearing puts the that it’s Tesla’s first proper fist at a from that unlikely juxtaposition of you’ll never need to buy petrol or
powertrain simultaneously at peak car. It’s also probably every bit as remarkable pace and incredible calm. diesel again. A full charge, at average
power and peak torque. good as it needs to be for something off-peak rates, costs less than a fiver.
At motorway speeds, where most whose ultimate selling point is largely BUYING AND OWNING Add to that the Tesla’s other big lure
EVs are out of their depth, the Model S unrelated to how perfectly it rides a – zero per cent benefit-in-kind tax
strides on comfortably, able to pick up bump or sweeps around a corner. AAAAB as a fleet car, whereas other similar
an extra 20mph in a moment. Driven as fast as its powertrain saloons might cost a 40 per cent tax
will allow, the Model S’s chassis can Our touring economy test isn’t payer upwards of £10,000 a year –
RIDE AND HANDLING certainly hack the pace, but it doesn’t designed to bring the best out of and you can see why Tesla expects the
bring much sporting engagement. an EV, yet it produced a result from better part of its volume to eventually
AAAAC The air suspension allows the usual the Model S of 383Wh/mile, giving come from businesses. ◊
few degrees of gently bumbling, a 222-mile range on a full charge.
If the Tesla’s armour has a chink, this constant body movement on a testing Including our performance tests, the
is it. On a mixed route across typical road, but nothing too discouraging. car averaged 411Wh/mile overall but,
UK roads, the Model S conducts itself Ultimately, it controls pitch and roll out on the road, we frequently saw trip
with more than acceptable dynamic very well. But it never makes you feel economy of less than 300Wh/mile.
competence, but it’s nothing special. connected to the contact patches. On a typical motorway run, expect a
Even fitted with Tesla’s Performance There are three assistance settings for range of 220 to 250 miles. If you’re
Plus chassis mods (wider rear tyres, the power steering, which is sensibly prepared to cruise at 50-60mph
stiffer anti-roll bars and uprated paced – but, similarly, none of them A-road pace, 300 miles would be
dampers), this is a fairly softly sprung provides much road feel. ‘Comfort’ is routinely achievable.
saloon that does isolation better than by far the most pleasant. That’s about three times the
driver involvement. And that’s exactly Our test experience suggests that real-world operational range of any
as it should be. a smaller wheel and tyre, combined EV we’ve tested before. It won’t be
Without the suspension with Tesla’s softer chassis set-up, enough for everyone, particularly
modifications, the car’s cosseting would be the way to configure your considering the time that the car takes
rolling refinement might have better car. On the 21-inch rims, a bit of road to charge (15 hours from a 32-amp
stood out. As it was, the test car roar took the edge off the car’s natural UK public charging point; half that
neither rode nor handled with any advantage on mechanical refinement from a fitted high-output Tesla home
particular brilliance. That said, the above 40mph. Above all else, quick as charger). But for most UK drivers,
Under the skin

HOME ON THE RANGE
O The 60kWh battery option has an If you’re wondering how the Model S can come with such a leggy
eight-year, 125,000-mile warranty. The claimed range, look no further than the battery. It uses conventional
85kWh battery has an unlimited-mileage, lithium ion battery cells, just like most electric cars, but here they have
eight-year warranty. It’s unaffected by a capacity of 85kWh. Think of it as a big fuel tank; a Renault Zoe’s
whichever charger you use. usable range is provided by 22kWh of battery technology.
As a result, the Tesla will take relatively longer to charge if you’re
pushing the same level of current into it. And a Model S will accept
charge from a regular household socket (at 11kW) if you want it to.
In the US, a basic 110V supply is capable of providing it with about
30 miles of range for each hour of charging, doubling that for 240V
sockets that can be found in the US and which are standard on a
high-ampere UK socket.
However, the Model S is also capable of being charged by much
higher inputs. A range of 80kW ‘Supercharger’ sockets is being
rolled out in the US and something similar is available if you have
a more industrial supply here, in which case half a charge can be
delivered in just 20 minutes. Because of the way that batteries charge,
a full one can take 70 minutes.

DATA LOG
TESLA MODEL S TECHNICAL LAYOUT
PERFORMANCE The chassis and superstructure are built predominantly from aluminium, with boron steel reinforcements in
On-the-road price £78,900 (inc crucial places. The battery sits flat under the car’s floor, lowering the centre of gravity and adding stiffness. The
£5k gov’t grant) motor, current inverter and gearbox are cradled in a compact transaxle immediately behind the rear wheels.
Price as tested £97,600
Value after 3yrs/36k miles na
Contract hire pcm na
Cost per mile na
Insurance/typical quote na
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
Front, side, curtain, knee airbags Q
17in colour touchscreen Q
200W,7-speaker audio with
AM/FM/DAB radio, Bluetooth Q
Heated leather seats Q 85KwH
Carbonfibre body accents Q
85kWh lithium-ion battery Q
Active air suspension Q
Metallic paint, grey £690
21in Silver Performance alloy wheels £3960
Performance Plus Pack (inc sport
suspension, Michelin PS2 tyres) £5627
Panoramic sunroof £1380
Tech Pack (inc sat-nav, xenon
headlamps with LED cornering lights,
powered tailgate, memory seats,
reversing camera, Wi-Fi) £3419 ENGINE CHASSIS & BODY
12-speaker premium surround audio £905 Installation Rear, transverse, Construction Aluminium monocoque
Rear-facing third row of seats £1378 rear-wheel drive Weight/as tested 2108kg/2175kg
20kW onboard twincharger £1378 Type Liquid-cooled 3-phase, Drag coefficient 0.24
Options in bold fitted to test car 4-pole AC induction motor Wheels 9Jx21in (f), 10Jx21in (r)
Q = Standard na = not available Battery pack 85kWh, lithium ion, Tyres 245/35 ZR21 (f),
liquid-cooled 265/35 ZR21 (r),
RANGE AT A GLANCE Power 416bhp at 5000-6700rpm Michelin Pilot Sport 2
ENGINES POWER FROM Torque 443lb ft at 0-5100rpm Spare Puncture repair kit
Model S 60kWh 302bhp £57,580 Red line 16,000rpm
Model S 85kWh 362bhp £66,590 Power to weight 197bhp per tonne TRANSMISSION
Model S Performance Torque to weight 210lb ft per tonne Type Single-speed reduction gearing
85kWh 416bhp £78,900 Specific output na Mph per 1000rpm 8.7
Final drive ratio 9.73
NB: All prices are estimated, based on current euro
prices, including VAT
ECONOMY SUSPENSION BRAKES SAFETY

TEST Usage Range Front Double wishbones, air springs, anti-roll bar Front 355mm ventilated discs ABS, ESP, EBD, ASR, Brake Assist
Average 411Wh/mile 207 miles Rear Multi-link, air springs, anti-roll bar Rear 365mm ventilated discs EuroNCAP crash rating Not tested
Touring 383Wh/mile 222 miles Anti-lock Standard with EBD and brake assist
Track 831Wh/mile 102 miles STEERING EMISSIONS & TAX
CLAIMED Type Electrically assisted rack and pinion CABIN NOISE CO2 emissions 0g/km
Combined* 283Wh/mile 300 miles Turns lock to lock 2.5 Idle 39dB Max revs in third gear 72dB Tax at 20/40% pcm £0/£0
Battery capacity 85kWh Turning circle 11.3m 30mph 58dB 50mph 63dB 70mph 67dB
*NEDC driving range. US EPA range = 265 miles
ACCELERATION ACCELERATION IN K’DOWN

MPH
0-30
0-40
0-50
0-60
0-70
TIME (sec)
2.2
2.9
3.7
4.7
5.9
MPH
20-40
30-50
40-60
50-70
60-80
TIME (sec)
1.4
1.5
1.8
2.2
2.7
43.5mph
Where the Model S’s motor hits peak power
and torque simultaneously. By the time you
0-80 7.3 70-90 3.3 pass 45mph, the torque begins to tail off.
0-90 9.2 80-100 4.1
0-100
0-110
0-120
0-130
0-140
0-150
11.7
15.3
21.7
-
-
-
90-110
100-120
110-130
120-140
130-150
140-160
5.3
6.9
-
-
-
-
£7956
What the Tesla might save the driver of a full-
house diesel Jaguar XJ on benefit-in-kind
RPM @ 70/80mph = 8091/9247 tax every year — before fuel is considered.
THE SMALL PRINT Power-to-weight and torque-to-weight figures are calculated using manufacturer’s claimed kerb weight. © 2013, Haymarket
Media Group Ltd. Test results may not be reproduced without editor’s written permission. For information on the Model S, contact Tesla
Europe, Atlasstraat 7-9, 5047 RG Tilburg, Netherlands (01628 450600, teslamotors.com/en_GB). Cost-per-mile figures calculated over three
years/36,000 miles, including depreciation and maintenance but not insurance; Lex Autolease (0800 389 3690). Insurance quote covers
ROAD TEST
35-year-old professional male with clean licence and full no-claims bonus living in Swindon; quote from Liverpool Victoria (0800 066 5161,
lv.com). Contract hire figure based on a three-year lease/36,000-mile contract including maintenance; Wessex Fleet Solutions (01722 322888). Read all of our road tests autocar.co.uk

ROAD TEST No 5131
Tesla Model S
TESTERS’ NOTES
MATT
SAUNDERS
Its touchscreen
AUTOCAR VERDICT AAAAB is something

else. You
can devote all of it to
It brings credibility, luxury and useful range to the electric car market a web browser if you
have the optional Tech
Pack. Disabling certain
functions while the car is
in motion would be wise.
MATT PRIOR
A button to
unlock the
charging port
is secreted on
one of the touchscreen
menus — but you don’t
need it. Approach with
the plug in hand, push
a button on it and the
socket opens.
SPEC ADVICE
Stretch to the 85kWh
battery; it makes a
real difference. Avoid
the Performance Plus
pack and the panoramic
sunroof, which eats up
headroom. But have
the Tech Pack, onboard
twincharger and the
f the half-dozen electric cars that we’ve road tested during the re-emergence of the EV, only premium audio.
O two have managed to complete our full set of track tests, photo shoots and road assessments
without the assistance of a trailer. Both have been made by Tesla.
Finally, it seems, here’s a company that understands the workings of the automotive
consumer. Small cars are already cheap and use very little fuel. So making an electric one of those
work for everybody is going to be a very hard task, as their sales, or lack of, demonstrate.
JOBS FOR
THE FACELIFT
O Create a bit more
headroom and more
entertainment options
for back-seat occupants.
O Develop the thermal
With a luxury car, though, Tesla has found it easier to gain price and performance parity with management system
its rivals. It has been able to offer a vast range by fitting vast batteries and has found a customer to preserve outright
base more open to the new technology and with more resources at their work and home to performance levels.
O Improve the feel of
counter the drawbacks. Practical, refined and, above all, desirable, the Model S is a triumph. the cabin materials.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
TOP 5
MAKE TESLA PORSCHE BMW MERCEDES-BENZ AUDI
Model Model S Performance Panamera S E-Hybrid ActiveHybrid 7 L M Sport S400 L Hybrid SE A8 2.0 TFSI Hybrid
Price £78,900 (est) £88,967 £74,570 £69,650 £61,585
Power 416bhp at 5000-6700rpm 410bhp at 5500rpm 349bhp at 5800rpm 333bhp at 6500rpm 242bhp at 4300-6000rpm
Torque 443lb ft at 0-5100rpm 435lb ft at 1250-4000rpm 369lb ft at 1300-4500rpm 273lb ft at 3500-5250rpm 354lb ft at 1500-4200rpm
0-60mph 4.7sec 5.5sec (claimed, to 62mph) 5.7sec (claimed, to 62mph) 6.8sec (claimed, to 62mph) 7.7sec (claimed, to 62mph)
Top speed (claimed) 130mph 168mph 155mph (limited) 155mph 146mph
Fuel economy (combined) 283Wh/mile 91.1mpg 41.5mpg 44.8mpg 44.8mpg
Kerb weight (claimed) 2108kg 2095kg 1995kg 1945kg 1870kg
CO2/tax band 0g/km, 0 per cent 71g/km, 5 per cent 158g/km, 23 per cent 147g/km, 21 per cent 147g/km, 21 per cent
Low on usual EV drawbacks. Big Only real alternative to a Model S A bit more lively to drive than Great limousine with a not-so- Just about shades the diesel on
on speed, refinement and space. arrives this autumn. Impressive; the average economy limo, but great powertrain. Promising tax and economy, but dull to
Verdicts on every And big enough on range. 22-mile EV range disappoints. little advantage versus a diesel. plug-in S500 due next year. drive. Boot space compromised.
new car, p78 ++++B ++++C +++BC +++BC +++CC

YOUR VIEWS
LETTER OF THE WEEK
Write to Autocar, Teddington Studios, Broom Road,
Teddington TW11 9BE or email autocar@haymarket.com
WIN
Letter of the week wins a selection
of car care products from
THIS PEUGEOT IS A CLASSIC IN WAITING

Regarding your feature on the Peugeot comfortable full-leather Recaro bucket the car belatedly becoming recognised
Car-Skin worth over £65.
pro-valets.co.uk
406 coupé (Used buying guide, 21 seats in a roomy interior, a large boot and as a medium-term future classic?
August), I have owned a 3.0-litre SE auto a willing 210bhp engine. Time, I think, to search for a handful of
since 2002. I was totally seduced by its However, I am a wee bit puzzled. Given the better ones and snap them up.
attractive looks, which still turn heads. such universal acclaim, why has the Hugh McCallum
It is also an excellent car to drive: four depreciating value not stabilised, with Ringwood, Hants
SUBARU UK NEEDS THE WRX There is a market in the UK for the Are steering, handling and driving
It was with real sadness that I read on WRX if it looks like the concept. If they enjoyment important? To us, yes, they
your website that the head of Subaru UK bring it over here, I’ll be the first one are but they are just one part of the
had stated it was now an SUV brand. down to my dealer with a cheque. package that can make or break a car.
What a waste of that fantastic rallying Jim Smith That’s why our road test assesses
heritage, I thought. Then I saw pictures Via email many aspects of a vehicle, not just the
of the new WRX concept, which looks ride and handling — MB
fantastic, and heard rumours that it may YOUTH DRIVE
be coming to the UK after all, if Subaru The research in Jay Nagley’s article HAVE CAKE, EAT IT
believes the demand would be there. on young drivers surely suggests an As a long-term subscriber to Autocar
When I was younger, watching additional conclusion (‘Why young Alpina B3 got our nod over the Audi RS4 and Classic and Sports Car now living in
Richard Burns, Colin McRae and Petter people no longer want to drive’, 28 Canada after emigrating from Scotland,
Solberg beating the world, I dreamed of August). If young people aren’t buying would fill car manufacturers with even I have the best of both worlds, because
owning a WRX. I finally got my hands – or even wanting – cars, then over the more dread — MB I have a Porsche Cayenne Turbo and a
on one, running it from 2004 to 2009 next decades, we will see a reduction in Range Rover Sport Supercharged. Both
with nothing but a smile on my face. the number of cars on the roads. STABLE CAN BE FUN, TOO are fantastic. In my view, the Cayenne
Despite that, I could not bring myself Patrick Peal Matt Prior writes of steering, handling has the edge on equipment and fit and
to buy the replacement. It was plain ugly. via email and driving enjoyment and, by and finish, but the Range Rover is better for
No wonder they didn’t sell many. Good point, Patrick. It’s a scenario that large, I agree with him. I wonder, sheer all-round driving.
though, if it isn’t a bit overplayed. William Mitchell
You recently picked an Alpina over an London, Ontario
Audi RS4, when it was a full 9sec slower
round the wet handling circuit that you CONCERNED BY E NUMBERS
road test cars on. I’m puzzled about the environmental
You often talk of the ‘driftability’ of credentials of the electric Formula
a Toyota GT86. Do you really mean on E racing series. How can a race held
local roundabouts? in the evening during the winter
I am not immune to, in particular, months in either London or Rome be
the handling benefits of rear-wheel considered a green project? Think of all
drive. However, on real roads, in real the energy that will be required for the
conditions, particularly a wet Scottish floodlighting to enable drivers to see
winter, I’ll take a nice, stable front- where they are going and spectators and
wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive car any TV cameras to see the cars. Where is all
Rumours suggest time. I still enjoy driving. that power going to come from and how
that Subaru’s WRX Angus MacEachran much pollution will it cause?
may reach the UK via email Surely, more joined-up thinking is

LETTERS
Goodwin’s Email to the management
Dear Ron,
To: Ron Howard, film director
Subject: Rush and what next?
NEXT
I’VE JUST COME back from watching
your film Rush. It was at a private
screening hosted by McLaren as part
of its 50th anniversary celebrations.
I should really have watched it at a
proper cinema so that I could have
judged viewers’ reactions and picked
up comments about the film on the
WEEK
INSIDE THE MAGAZINE
way out of the auditorium. But never
mind, it was a good evening.
On sale 18 September
Clearly, I’m not the ideal audience
Rush is about James
because I know a little bit too much
Hunt: who would you
about the story and also know people
make a biopic about?
who knew James Hunt very well
so I have quite a bit of background
knowledge about his personality. trimming history to suit but not enough A tricky subject for me because I
That said, I think you’ve done a very of them to spoil the experience. worshipped the man (even our cat is
good job and I can imagine people Since you’ve done a really good job, called Hailwood) so I would be a hard
coming to the film without knowing I’m wondering if there are any other film-goer to please. I think that you’re
the punchline (99 per cent of the US motor racing subjects that you could the man for the job though, not least LATEST NEWS
audience) thoroughly enjoying it. have a go at. There was once a rumour because I think that you’re good at Frankfurt motor show
I went to the showing with a mate that Hollywood was thinking about a using a pipette to drop a person’s All the news, views and pictures
with whom I used to race bikes and film of the life of Mike Hailwood. Now personality on to celluloid. from the motor show floor.
we annoyed our neighbours by there’s a thought. F1 racer, motorcycle
pointing out all the British club racing god, Hunt-grade womaniser, the Yours sincerely,
circuits that you used in the filming. amazing return to the TT races and
Nerds. There were a couple of bits of then the tragic death. C Goodwin
GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS? Contact Colin at colin.goodwin@autocar.co.uk
When in Rome: will Monica’s replacement squeeze suffered

Formula E change the same gremlins.
the image of EVs? Justin Stanton TWO-CAR TEST
Croydon, Surrey MG 3 vs Dacia Sandero
MG’s new supermini takes on
THE GRIFFIN LIVES the budget standard-bearer.
In response to William Talbot, who
suggested scrapping the ‘Vauxhall’
brand in favour of ‘Opel’ (Your views,
21 August), I couldn’t disagree more.
The Vauxhall name is one of the last
British motoring brands with a long
history. Former Opel-Vauxhall boss Nick
Reilly fought to save it and secure UK
manufacturing jobs, and rightly so.
Vauxhall has made huge strides in
both design and reliability, in addition FIRST DRIVE
to having one of the best fleet New Vauxhall Insignia
programmes in the business. Stay proud, Facelift brings less cost and more
required here. There are some great mid-20s. However, your article brought stay British, keep Vauxhall. refinement. We deliver our verdict.
ideas involved that could help with back painful memories: not of car Mike Westwood
future technologies, but it doesn’t seem ownership, but of a woman. Via email
like a green project in itself. A few years after the coupé’s launch,
Andy Sherratt I found myself the proud owner of POSITIVE VIBES
Pontefract, West Yorkshire anAudi 80 2.0 E, and in an all-too brief Was it me, or did the letters in the 21
Formula E could be crucial in relationship with a woman at work. Just August issue seem to be very negative?
transforming the staid image of electric as the 406 coupé was a dead-ringer for Thankfully, the rest of the magazine was
vehicles. It might not be perfect to begin a Ferrari, so this woman was Monica full of uplifting articles and pictures
with but Rome wasn’t built in a day — MB Bellucci’s body double. However, all too from around the world. I felt the need
soon, I found myself casually cast aside. to apologise on behalf of the majority of
SEDUCED BY A COUPE My Monica Bellucci had started dating readers, who are too busy (or not boring ROAD TEST
The Peugeot 406 coupé (Used buying an older, less exciting colleague… who enough) to nit-pick on whether you let the BMW 4-series
guide, 21 August) is a fabulous-looking drove a 406 coupé. clutch in or out. We are not all like that. We find out just how good BMW’s
motor that I could only dream of owning Having read about the car’s electrical Kristian Stuart renamed 3-series coupé really is.
when it first emerged and I was in my gremlins, I now find myself hoping that Via email

OUR CARS
A week in the life of Autocar’s fleet
CATERHAM DACIA
SEVEN
Nic Cackett Jim Holder

FORD JAGUAR JAGUAR
SANDERO FIESTA ST F-TYPE
Gary Lord
XKR-S
KIA
PROCEE’D
MAZDA MERCEDES MITSUBISHI
6 CLS SHOOTING OUTLANDER
BRAKE
Matt Prior Steve Sutcliffe Richard Bremner Lewis Kingston Andrew Frankel Stuart Price
Jaguar
F-type
FIRST REPORT We know
the V6 S F-type is a cracking
car to drive, but what’s it like
to live with day in, day out?
Will its tiny boot frustrate or
its immediate charm fade?
We’re about to find out
wenty-six hours. That’s all it took handler. The purely mechanical limited- We’ve opted for 20-inch alloy wheels
T for the keys to be snatched by a
colleague. “Mate, I’ve driven this
BMW 4-series a lot, and I know you
needed a steer in it. I’ll swap with you.
Oh, you’re in the F-type, are you?”
slip differential is more consistent
and quicker to respond than the
electronically assisted e-diff in the V8 S.
And although the V8 is respectably agile,
the V6 feels a little more alert.
because, I was advised, the steering is a
touch keener than on the standard 19s
And so it begins. Our time with I was reminded of that during our first
Jaguar’s sportiest sports car, which day with the car. The F-type arrived, it The V6 S is the
we’re running because it’s one of the was sunny, so I naffed off to the B-roads sweetest-handling
biggest stories of the year, has started. of Sussex in it. We’ve opted for 20-inch F-type, in our view
During reviews, features and road tests, alloy wheels because, I was advised,
we’ve established that it can stand tall the steering is a touch keener than on
among its peers. This is our chance to the standard 19s, without too much
see what it’s like to live with one for a detriment to the ride. That seems true so
while, how much of an issue its limited far, and the engine’s 375bhp is ample. It
luggage volume is, and whether it retains sounds lively, too. I think sometimes we’ll
its visual and aural appeal over time. regret not specifying the fireworks of
We’ve opted to run one in a middling the V8, but just as often, I hope, the V6’s
mechanical specification: a V6 S, extra dynamism will shine through.
rather than the lesser-powered V6 or The rest of the specification? Blue
the ballistic V8 S. In our tests to date, paintwork (£700) that’s a little darker
we’ve decided that this is the sweetest than I thought it might be but has loads

OUR CARS
MORGAN RANGE ROVER RANGE ROVER RENAULT RENAULT SEAT SEAT TOYOTA VOLKSWAGEN MCLAREN MAZDA LAND ROVER BMW
USED CARS
PLUS 8 EVOQUE TDV6 CLIO TWIZY LEON FR MII AURIS CC GT 12C MX-5 DEFENDER 728i
Jim Holder Stan Papior Steve Cropley Darren Moss Allan Muir Stuart Milne Mark Tisshaw Matt Burt Tim Dickson Steve Cropley Lewis Kingston Matt Prior James Ruppert
WHEELS
I think the 20in ‘Turbine’ alloys
look genuinely terrific. As does
the blue paint in strong sunlight.
These seats, carpets

and paintwork are
all (stylish) options
HOOD SWITCH
Roof goes up or down extremely
quickly and on the move. There
are few better systems.
All F-types have swish door handles, but we’ve got a V6 S for its mix of pace and agility
The F-type is still
a relatively rare GEAR SELECTOR
sight on UK roads I prefer it to the rotary dial in other
Jags. But to engage ‘D’ you must
pull a trigger and press the brake.
LOVE IT
LOATHE IT
of metallic content, so it really shines fact that the screen, seats and steering even when there are more on the roads,
in strong sunlight. I think the Camel wheel are all heated. We’d hoped for a are unlikely to diminish quickly. Besides,
premium leather interior (£2445 with space-saver spare wheel to be fitted, even when F-types become more
Performance seats, £350 for matching but I suspect Jaguar couldn’t quite common, the sight of an available set of
carpet) complements the outside countenance sending out a car with no Jaguar keys hanging in the Autocar key SEATS
pleasingly — dark blue and tan like an boot at all, so we’ll have to settle for the cabinet will be a rare old thing. They’re supportive, but you have
Italian suit with brogues, or something. repair kit (thereby not spending £255). matt.prior@autocar.co.uk to spend £2445 before you can get
We’ve also specified the Configurable And it’ll take time, rather than a day in them in this Camel leather.
Dynamic Mode (£400), which lets you the country with the roof down and the Jaguar F-type V6 S
pick the elements that you want turned engine turned up, to fully appreciate
up to 11. Engine, gearbox, steering and the richness of the (£1700) Meridian Price £67,500 Price as tested £77,010
damping response can be altered and, sound system. Ditto the uprated brakes Options Metallic paint £700, 20in turbine
instead of the factory settings, you can (£1000), which, I hope, will prove their wheels £1000, Performance seats with Camel
choose to have only the bits you want at worth when we have more serious premium leather £2445, Meridian sound
their most ‘sportif’. I haven’t played with features to throw the F-type’s way. system £1700, Camel carpet £350, heated
it all yet but, on most British single-lane All of that takes the total retail cost steering wheel £250, Configurable Dynamic
roads, the dampers are best left in their for this F-type to £77,010, which is quite Mode £400, heated seats £350, heated
softer setting. I’ll see how it goes if the lumpy, but then this car does feel quite windscreen £250, auto dim/fold mirrors with BOOT
other bits are placed more aggressively. special. Partly that’ll be the novelty of puddle lamps £450, xenon headlamps £615, The luggage area is shallow and
Other options we’ve specced fall into it, I’m sure; seeing an F-type in the wild uprated brakes £1000 Economy 26.3mpg short, even without a space-saver
the background for now, but I know is still a rare experience. But partly it’s Faults None Expenses None spare wheel sitting in here.
that, come winter, we’ll appreciate the also the sight and sound of it, which,

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OUR CARS
Stu’s enjoying Outlander’s auto ’box
the rear seats to expand the capacity

again became a godsend. Being able to
move the parcel shelf into a secondary
position helps to keep precious gear
hidden from prying eyes, too.
With all the tools loaded — including
a rattling ladder in the boot — and 100-
plus miles of motorway to negotiate,
the Outlander managed a fuel economy
figure of 39.8mpg — still slightly short
of what I’d hoped to achieve. But given
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mileage | 18,468 There’s been no end of workhorse duties for our big, utilitarian SUV
that the car was transporting half of
a ScrewFix store, it can be forgiven.
Having an automatic transmission
also relieved some of the stress of
spending a morning driving from store
to store to pick up more tools and
materials, which is what often happens
he past month has been an extra- at the start of a building project.
T busy one for our Outlander, being

called upon for camping holidays in
Cornwall, moving house and seven-
up family days out. And most recently
the Mitsubishi was transformed into a
In many ways, if I had continued in
the building trade I could see myself
with an Outlander; its big load capacity,
hard-wearing materials and ability to
seat seven make it supremely useful
commercial vehicle for the weekend. as both a workhorse and a weekend
In my previous life, during college family hack. It made light work of
holidays, I worked as a carpenter. Being the renovation job — and having an
in possession of such a useful side skill automatic tailgate really helped out
means you’re never short of friends with the loading and unloading.
looking for favours. And sure enough, The Outlander’s next task is to take
a mate asked for help in renovating a the Holder family off to France; we’ll
property on the south coast recently. see how it handles that.
The Outlander’s load bay was turned stuart.price@autocar.co.uk
from a mobile photography studio into
a mobile joiner’s vehicle. With a dust Mitsubishi Outlander GX5 auto
sheet lining the vast space, it was time Price £33,999 Price as tested £34,494
to load the gear. The plastics around the
Economy 36.5mpg Faults Perished wiper blade
boot proved resistant to scratches from
Outlander had no trouble swallowing all the tools needed for a house renovation job Expenses Service £223.38 Last seen 31.7.13
the tools, and having the ability to move
stop-start still hasn’t been cured it on). Not that these issues have
of its habit of occasionally failing to changed my view of the Procee’d,
restart. Tower Hill Kia at Kings Langley which, despite its mild dynamic
in Hertfordshire reckoned it was the character, continues to satisfy with
switch at the base of the gearlever, and its style, build quality (rather than
asked me to waggle the stick when the electrical reliability), convenience
car wouldn’t fire. Sure enough, this kicks and general capability. I have yet
the starter motor into life, confirming to see another one on the road, but
a defective switch. It’ll be a while-you- that’s not how it should be.
wait moment to have this fixed, said the richard.bremner@autocar.co.uk
dealer, but not when the part turns out
to be the wrong one. I’m waiting for their Kia Procee’d 1.6 GDI SE Ecodynamics
call when the correct switch comes in, Price £19,500 Price as tested £19,965
although with almost three weeks gone I
Economy 42.1mpg Faults Stop-start can fail
think I need to remind them.
Kia Procee’d Meanwhile, another small electrical

oddity has surfaced, in that the folding
door mirrors don’t always come out to
to restart; foldaway mirrors occasionally
malfunction Expenses None Last seen 7.8.13
play when you unlock the car, which

Mileage 4433 last fill it scored 42.1mpg — not bad at they normally do. Tripping the switch
As its mileage has built up, so has the all for a petrol 1.6-litre hatch of this on the dash stirs them, but they should
Kia’s economy. Following my self- size. And this has included high-speed do it automatically. These little glitches
imposed running-in period of 1000 motorway running, although much are a little disappointing, especially
miles, it dipped from 42.2 to 37.4mpg of it was of a stop-start nature, which as this is a car that I like and have
with the freer use of its 133bhp engine, tends to knock it back more. recommended to several people (who
which needs revs to come alive. But Speaking of which, the Kia’s ISG place less emphasis on the steering feel
Mirrors need a button click to pop out
that number has now climbed. On its (Integrated Starter Generator) and handling that the Ford Focus shades

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OUR CARS
THE LOG BOOK
Jaguar XKR-S convertible

Mileage 11,287 Last seen 24.7.13
The first service has just been done
without any extra problems arising,
except for a recall issue on the power
steering system that was carried out
for free, obviously. Seems some XKs
developed a slight thunk when on full
Morgan Plus 8
Mileage | 4399 Sublime customer service is making up for some reliability issues
lock, not that I ever noticed this in the
ones we’ve run. It cost £385, which I
don’t think is too bad for a car like this
after 10,000 miles. SS
mm. Remember the engine
H warning light that came on in the

Plus 8 a few weeks back? The man
from the RAC initially managed to
extinguish it after checking the car and
deleting an errant fault code, but the
light came back on 24 hours later and
the engine developed a lumpy idle. Time
to call the RAC again and send a flatbed
in the direction of Malvern.
Now, I can hear some of you chuckling Caterham Seven
already, wondering why I’m surprised Mileage 7390 Last seen 28.8.13
that a small-volume British sports car The Seven currently smells like a
manufacturer could possibly fail to build stagnant pond. This is my fault.
anything other than a super-reliable Instead of being tucked up like an
car. But here’s the thing: the Plus 8 had Eskimo baby in a blizzard, it endured
proved faultless right up until it was sent a storm wearing just its tonneau
up Goodwood hill at full pelt three times
Recurring warning
cover — which is about as watertight
a day for three days, at the Festival of
light called for a trip
as a bikini — and was then left to cook
Speed. A coincidence? I suspected not.
back to the factory
in the sun. If the odour doesn’t go, I
And while niche manufacturers may might have to superglue Magic Trees
have their shortcomings, customer touch and eagerness to get the problem person on the other end wasn’t so to the underside of the seats. NC
service is clearly not one of them. Sure, sorted with as little fuss as possible. enthusiastic. That warning light was
Autocar might find it easier to get The choice was between returning back on, although the engine was
Charles Morgan himself on the blower the car to base or one of the 20-odd running fine. Time to park up and put
than some (although his hectic lifestyle dealers in the UK. The spread is actually another call through to Morgan.
promoting the company makes even quite impressive, meaning that most Thankfully, they thought they knew
that claim optimistic), but everyone we people in England aren’t more than an the problem — and enthusiastic track
encountered in this sorry saga covered hour from a dealer wherever they live. driving was again suspected. A trip
themselves in glory for their personal Around London they are plentiful. With to the new Bell & Colvill (of Lotus fame)
this being Morgan’s ex-Geneva show Morgan dealership in West Horsley,
display car, though, they decided they’d Surrey provided the answer within
like to take a look themselves, rather literally 30 seconds. It turned out
than putting the burden on to a dealer. that the lambda sensor wasn’t keeping
So it was that the Plus 8 returned up with abrupt switches from track
to London a few days later sparkling driving to pottering, triggering the Volkswagen CC GT
and seemingly in good health. For a warning light. A quick reset was all that Mileage 16,700 Last seen 21.8.13
couple of days it was driven here, there was needed, and a couple of hundred Ten months in and I’m on p129 of the
and everywhere by a gaggle of people miles of problem-free motoring CC’s owner’s manual. Turns out it’s
eager to sample its unique delights. As suggests that the Morgan’s V8 is got ‘synchronous mirror adjustment’,
ever, they came back bubbling about ready to rumble again. whereby adjusting one mirror
the engine, the sheer character of the jim.holder@autocar.co.uk also adjusts the other by the same
car… the list goes on but will be entirely amount but in, er, mirror fashion. I
familiar by now. Suffice to say that the Morgan Plus 8 tried it out, but to me it seemed only
Plus 8 really is rather special and would Price £85,200 Price as tested £91,722 of use to those who drive solely in
sit in the outer reaches of many of the the middle lane of motorways. I’ll be
Economy 22.0mpg Faults Recurring engine
Autocar office’s dream garages. leaving that function switched off. TD
Dealership access in UK is surprisingly good But then the phone rang and the
warning light Expenses None Last seen 14.8.13

DEALS
WHEELS, TYRES
AND BODYWORK
Rust is increasingly common on all
300ZXs. Check around the sills, the top
CHASSIS
Bargain new
and used motors
Standard suspension is set up nicely,

but many will have had original parts
replaced with coilover kits, although
TRANSMISSION
Choice of five-speed manual or four-
speed automatics. The autos work better
with an additional cooler added for
mounts, under the radiator and inside these are often too hard. Standard £140. Autos sold well, but manuals are
the wheel arches. It’s relatively easy dampers cost £130 each. The 300ZX popular; ZX specialist Zedworld does an
to repair, though; bank on £200 a side features rear-wheel steer; the arms for auto to manual conversion for £1980.
for sills. Popular bodywork upgrades it can wear out but only cost around Imported autos have additional control
include retrofitting the front bumper £132 fitted. Polyurethane bushes via the Sports, Normal and Hold switch.
from the 1999 model. sharpen up the handling and are A new clutch costs £625 fitted.
cheaper than standard bushes.
BRAKES
Check for corrosion of the brake lines
where they join the ABS unit above
the rear diff. Tricky access makes it an
expensive fix. Standard pads costs £54
fitted; high-performance discs start
at £200 a pair. Many fit the calipers
and discs from Nissan’s Skyline GT-R
R33/34 for improved stopping power.
NISSAN 300ZX FROM £1500
Japan’s giant killer

The 300ZX delivers impressive punch in a reliable, easy-to-use package. Kyle Fortune finds out more
he list of contemporaries that The original UK stock has been added Fairlady models, and it’s worth checking be evident around the rear sill and
T Nissan’s 300ZX faced when it came

to the UK in 1990 was a formidable
one. Its £34,600 list price pitched it
directly at Audi’s £33,819 Quattro, while
Autocar’s original test pitted the Nissan
to with Japanese imports, which means
there are plenty of cars to choose from.
The 300ZX in second-generation Z32
guise came with either the 280bhp
twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, or a naturally
that all the relevant paperwork regarding
its import is present in a sale. If there is
any question of an import’s model year,
it’s possible to check via the VIN code,
although the seatbelts, rear boot carpet
returns, the inner and outer double skin
sections, rear quarter and rear wheel
arches, as well as the front turrets
and front bumper mounts. Sill repairs
will cost £120 to £180 and turrets £85
against Porsche’s 928 S4 and its 944 aspirated version of the same engine and rear light covers all have the year of to £145, depending on condition. The
Turbo relation, as well as Renault’s GTA with 227bhp. Official UK ZXs were manufacture stamped on them. crossmember under the radiator is also
V6 and Mazda’s RX-7 Turbo II. Against targa-topped twin-turbo cars with a long Jeff Turner, owner of 300ZX specialist prone to rot and is a £300 part, so check
the clock, the 300ZX’s 0-60mph time wheelbase and manual or automatic Zedworld (zedworld.co.uk, 01675 it as it’s a £500 all-in fix.
of 5.6sec was only bettered by the transmission. Rarities include the 463134), has seen them all. Imports used Turner also highlights the rear brake
£60,792 Porsche 928 S4’s 5.5sec. import-only short-wheelbase models, to be less coveted than original UK cars, lines as an area to check. They rot where
Access to that performance today is most of which do without the T-bar roof. says Jeff, due to insurance difficulties, they meet the ABS unit above the rear
possible from just £1500 for the earliest, The few cars without the targa panels but for a while the reverse was true, as diff, and if they are corroded it’s a £300
highest-mileage, naturally aspirated are known as ‘slicktops’ and they’re rare imported cars tended to feature less fix, as the differential needs stripping out
examples, although even the best low- — as are full convertibles, which again are corrosion than UK ones. That’s no longer to get at them. If you’re doing any work
mileage cars are rarely listed for more import-only, with a short wheelbase and really the case, however. at the back, it’s worth checking the brake
than £6000, and most are typically a naturally aspirated engine. “All are now of an age where corrosion lines’ condition while you have access.
around the £3000 to £4000 mark. Japanese imports were sold as is a factor,” says Turner. It tends to The 300ZX is reputedly among the

USED CAR EXPERT NEW CAR EXPERT DEALS EXPERT
USED BUYING GUIDE

James Ruppert Lewis Kingston Nic Cackett
How to live the high life in David or Goliath? New Fiat Keeps his head buried in
a luxurious, low-priced, Panda 4x4 vs used Mercedes the classifieds, to pick out
previously loved Audi A8 p74 G-Wagen for £15,000 p77 the keenest prices p78
CABIN
Aside from the usual wear and tear
you’d expect on a car more than 20
years old, the interior is robust. It’s
worth checking the roof for leaks,
though. Also check that all the heating
and air conditioning works, as the
blower motors are behind the dash
and tricky to get at if they’ve failed.
Cabin layout works

well, but the steering
wheel doesn’t adjust
What to look out for

A red warning light on the instrument display in an import car
means unburnt fuel is getting into the catalytic converter. It’ll
also be signalled by a low-level misfire.
Any skittishness at the rear end points to either worn rear
suspension bushes or problems with the HICAS four-wheel
steering system. Both are relatively inexpensive fixes.
Check the service history to find out when the cambelt was last
ENGINE changed, as well as the oil, spark plugs, filters and gearbox oil.
Engines are robust if they get regular Smoke from the exhausts under power suggests turbo issues.
maintenance. Starting problems point
to issues with the ignition’s Power Noise from the transmission could mean worn clutch throwout
Transistor Unit (PTU). It’s a common bearings. The clutch itself should last around 70,000 miles
failure; later PTUs are more reliable
and cost £180 fitted. Always use the
without problems. A crunching or grinding from third to fourth
correct spark plugs and check for points to worn synchros.
smoke under power or on the overrun,
as it could point to turbo issues. Looseness, steering wobble or poor turn-in points to worn
tension rod bushes, which will also increase tyre wear. Zedworld
can replace the bushes for around £150.
Even the best low-mileage 300ZXs

are rarely listed for more than £6000.
Most are typically £3000 to £4000
first cars to be fully designed on a Given the heat under the bonnet, it’s
computer, and it’s evident under the worth upgrading the radiator to one with
bonnet, where Nissan has managed to a thicker core, although the standard
cram a lot in. Turner says the naturally fans don’t needing upgrading. Turner
aspirated cars are easier to work on also recommends regular oil changes
as a result of less plumbing, although with high-grade oils (again due to those
both the turbo and non-turbo cars do high temperatures), suggesting 3000
generate a lot of heat, which in turn miles or every four months on a twin-
causes all sorts of issues with the wiring turbo car and 4500 miles or every six
loom. Patch leads for the injectors and months on non-turbos. It’s easily done
coil packs are available, while a fix many at home, or Zedworld charges £58 for a Engines are strong,
take is to get a left-hand drive wiring change, including a new filter and a new but regular oil
loom from the US. It fits, says Turner, copper washer for the sump plug. changes are a must
and costs around £420 to do so. Cambelts should last 60,000 miles, ◊

:OLS]PUN )H`Z
DEALS
USED BUYING GUIDE

The ZX handles
well but can be ONES WE FOUND
tricky in the wet
Price £3200 (1995, 92,000 miles)

Imported 300ZX Fairlady, manual, in
silver and in good condition with no
rust. It’s got a new radiator, HKS fully
adjustable suspension and a stainless
steel exhaust. MOT until March.
Call 07979 791525
Head to autocar.co.uk
for more used car
buying advice
Price £2325 (1991, 69,000 miles)
Blue twin-turbo automatic 300ZX.
Tax until January, MOT until July
Δ or four years, with prices for a belt and the twin-turbo models, those on the comfortable grand tourer, although and a good service history. Totally
change at Zedworld starting at £294. latter, unsurprisingly, being larger. many will have been modified with dump standard, too, and with recently
It’s also worth replacing the water pump Running costs shouldn’t be too valves and bigger exhausts and turbos. refurbished alloys.
for an additional £108 and ancillary worrisome, but if the turbos go you’ll Fitting dump valves can be problematic, Call 01753 655566
belts for around £85 while doing the be looking at a repair bill in the region says Turner; they don’t work well with
job. Regular service items aren’t too of £2000, as it’s an engine-out job to the airflow meter, making the fuelling
expensive, either, although the 300ZX is do it properly. Turner recommends go wrong by causing it to run rich.
sensitive to spark plugs. Turner says it’s genuine parts, and aside from minor Get a good, well cared for standard
essential to use the correct specification modifications such as that larger example and the 300ZX can still
of platinum plugs, which cost £92 fitted. radiator core, a supplementary cooler shock today with its performance. It
An air filter costs £39 fitted and the fuel for the automatic transmission and an may not be as coveted as many of its
filter the same, while a radiator flush and HID upgrade for the “weak” standard contemporaries, but if you’re after lurid
refill is around £18. The brakes differ in headlights, he likes his 300ZXs original. tail slides and slingshot acceleration on a
size between naturally aspirated cars Turner describes the ZX as a fast and budget, it takes some beating. L Price £3950 (1994, 63,000 miles)
Manual twin-turbo 300ZX in dark
blue. Low mileage, imported in 2003
What we said then Test date | 16.5.90

and same owner since. Fantastic
condition throughout, with recent
Nissan 300ZX cambelt, water pump and brake lines.
Call 07716 917802
Design and engineering
The 300ZX sports one of the most aggressively
attractive shapes on the road today, and it has the
brawn to back up its beauty. The twin-turbocharged
2960cc V6 produces 274lb ft and 280bhp.
Interior
Nissan has created a driving environment that looks
good and works well but is marred by a non-adjustable Price £4995 (1996, 32,000 miles)
steering wheel. The ergonomics are otherwise Very low-mileage naturally aspirated
adventurous, with all minor controls operable from two V6 targa in red, freshly imported
satellite pods on either side of the steering wheel. from Japan with no rust or body
damage. It’s an automatic with grey
Performance cloth interior. Excellent condition.
Off the line, the 300ZX gives best only to the Porsche in the boot. Other goodies include electric front windows, Call 01708 862123
928. Dropping the clutch at just under 5000rpm creates central locking and cruise control. The only options are
prodigious wheelspin and fearsome thrust. You’re past leather seats and a four-speed automatic transmission.
60mph in 5.6sec and the quarter mile is up in 14.4sec.
Verdict
Ride and handling What it lacks in bloodline breeding it more than makes
A multi-link system at each end is complemented by up for with its stunning power, stupendous presence and
the most advanced four-wheel steer system available. tremendous dynamic ability.
Suspension is stiff and the ride is firm but dry grip easily
matches supercar performance. Wet grip is poor, though, Nissan 300ZX Price £4950 (1992, 92,000 miles)
and is compounded by steering that lacks feedback. Red UK manual car with 24 dealer
Years produced 1989-2000 Price £34,600 Engine V6, 2960cc,
twin-turbo, petrol Power 280bhp at 6400rpm Torque 274lb ft at services, all MOTs and new cambelts.
Buying and owning Totally original, perfect condition.
3600rpm 0-60mph 5.6sec 0-100mph 14.5sec Top speed 158mph
Standard fitments include air-con, a CD player and a MOT to February and four new tyres.
detachable T-bar roof whose panels can easily be stowed Fuel economy 17.0mpg
Call 020 8891 6007

James Ruppert Used car bargains
Go large with Audi’s

luxurious barge
Audi’s A8 is spacious, well equipped, desirable and increasingly affordable
as a big German barge war broken though, you’ll pay
H out? I only ask because following on

from the super-über new Mercedes
S-class comes a revised Audi A8,
which of course means it’s time to take a
look at the older ones. I love the A8; only
£1500-plus for 3.7s
and 4.2s, which will take
you through to the last
of the 2001 models.
They can run up to
the other day someone asked a friend of £2999, at which point
mine why he had one and he nodded in you will even find some
my direction. So what’s the appeal? LPG conversions.
The A8 is satisfyingly complicated, Second-generation
although that’s a slight worry when A8s look a bit sharper,
you look at the older examples. Inside, although some buyers
though, there’s masses of space, and it aren’t impressed until
is so well screwed together. You can buy they get to the 2007
into the late 1990s examples — say, a 3.7 ‘beardy’ grille that Audi
V8 — for around £1000. I did see one with may or may not have
100,000 miles and a full service history, pinched from Rover.
which didn’t seem bad at all. Usually, Anyway, a tidy 2003-2004 example, 3.0 TDI and 4.0 TDIs with big mileages one with a full history will be comfortably
without the beard and in 3.7 trim, can be from 2003-2004 are just shy of £5000. £3750, which is only to be expected.
on your drive for £3950, which is cheap Spend £5500 or more and the mileage Indeed, a 2002 S8 that has just had the
Better to spend for a 100,000-mile car with sat-nav that
should still be accurate. But it’s better
drops and there are some really tidy
ones to be had. To be on the safe side,
big cambelt service is going to be around
£4000, and then there are some mint
£5500 and to spend £5500 and up, at which point though, pay £9k-£10k and get some of ones at up to £6950.
up, where you’ll you can get some lovely 3.0 examples
and tidy long-wheelbase numbers. Here,
the nicer just-out-of-warranty examples.
And then there’s the S8, which is living
For the ultimate luxury barge-like
driving machine, that doesn’t sound
get some lovely £6995 is top money before the high-
mileage beard grilles kick in.
proof that a great big barge of a car can
be fun. This super-hot version has been
like much money at all.
3.0 examples Then there are the diesels, of course. around for ages now, and a late 1990s car For more used car advice, go to
jamesruppert.com
Diesel is vital to some buyers, and the is going to be £2000. However, a mint
Three that caught my eye
Tidy V8 for big-car small change Tasty S8 packs a luxury punch ADiesel decent diesel dips under £10k
If you’re going to buy a cheap executive barge, it Those seeking an A8 with some punch should look A8s can cost a substantial amount to keep
might as well be a V8. This 1997 4.2-litre quattro no further than the 4.2-litre V8-powered S8. This running. This 2008 car has done 97,000 miles
is claimed to be in excellent condition and is on sale dealer-offered 2002 example has done 84,000 but it has a full history and is said to be in superb
at a dealer for £1500. It’s got plenty of kit, lots of miles and comes with a private plate and full condition. It comes with sat-nav, Bluetooth and
history and 10 months’ MOT. service history, all for £5999. grey leather. It’s a private sale and up for £9950.
Call 01243 201011 Call 07760 766752 Call 01992 522466

DEALS
USED CARS
Don’t like those? Try these...
An affordable front-drive Cadillac

THE CADILLAC STS appears to tick all a usable late 1990s STS for as little as
the luxury saloon boxes. First, it’s big, £800, but it’s worth spending £1500
so you get plenty of cabin space and or so for a really clean example with
an imposing road presence. There are around 60,000 miles on the clock.
acres of leather, stacks of gadgets Besides the usual checks, inspect
and it’s comfortable. the cooling system carefully, as the
Secondly, there’s a 4.6-litre V8 V8s are prone to head gasket leaks.
under the bonnet. However, the STS If you do run out of coolant, mind,
may cause some enthusiasts’ toes to have no fear, because the STS has a
curl because it’s front-wheel drive. ‘limp-home’ system that allows you
First-generation Overlook that, though, and you’re to drive it for 100 miles without any.
A8s cost from in for a treat. These days you can get See, it’s both big and clever.
£1000-£3000
A Lexus LS that won’t let you down

And another thing… BUYING AN OLDER German luxury
car can be a potential nightmare, with
for the Lexus LS. It was well received
when it was launched in 2000, being
APPARENTLY, MORE THAN half of the used cars in the UK many capable of generating crippling praised for its cosseting interior,
break down once they reach the 60,000-70,000-mile mark. bills at the drop of a hat. Some repairs extensive kit list and ease of use.
That’s the point at which the level of most manufacturer are even costly enough to make you It may not be the most interesting
warranty cover decreases, because the car is likely to be think about writing the whole car off. thing to look at, but at least you can
So if reliability matters to you, go leave it in dreary car parks and not
three years old or over. worry so much about someone
Warranty Direct’s analysis remodelling it with a key. Plus
of 50,000 policies found it’ll never let you down.
that the average failure rate You won’t find it lacking
in performance, either,
on cars of that mileage was
with a 4.3-litre V8 capable
50.7 per cent. A good reason of propelling the LS from
to buy a warranty, then, or 0-62mph in just 6.3sec.
find the 49.3 per cent of cars Around £6000 should net
that won’t break down. you an early 2000s car with
70,000 miles on the clock.
CAUGHT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS More quality used cars and cherished numbers on p94 | To advertise here, call 020 8267 5706
1972/K Beacham E-Type 4.2 V8 SC 1962 Jaguar E-Type S1 3.8L FHC 1970/J Jaguar E-Type S2 4.2L Roadster 1971/J Jaguar E-Type S3 5.3L V12 2+2 Coupe
SAVE £15,000, ONLY 370 Miles. £154,995 2012 Championship Winning Car. £94,995 ONLY 47,700 Miles. £74,995 Auto, 63,000 Miles. £39,995
01252 894790 / 07817 270931 01252 894790 / 07817 270931 01252 894790 / 07817 270931 01252 894790 / 07817 270931
WWW. RACINGGREENCARS .COM WWW. RACINGGREENCARS .COM WWW. RACINGGREENCARS .COM WWW. RACINGGREENCARS .COM

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DEALS
NEW VS USED
Lewis Kingston New vs used
NEW: £14,995 USED: £14,000

Power 74bhp Torque 140lb ft 0-62mph 14.5sec Top speed 99mph Economy 60.1mpg Power 168bhp Torque 177lb ft 0-62mph 13.5sec Top speed 103mph Economy 17.4mpg
Fiat Panda 4x4 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen

Diminutive yet capable diesel-powered Panda 4x4 or a classic German off-roader?
WHAT IS IT?
It’s Fiat’s charismatic city car with a few tweaks and a four-wheel A classic off-roader that was originally conceived as a military
drive system. It’s much more of a pumped-up supermini than an vehicle. The G-Wagen entered the civilian market in 1979 and,
out-and-out mud plugger, but for many it will be just the ticket. because it proved so capable and tough, production hasn’t stopped
It’s got some proper off-road credentials, too, thanks to a 50mm since. For around £14,000 you can get a clean, early 1990s 300 GE
suspension lift, skid plates and a flexible 1.3-litre diesel engine. with a 3.0-litre petrol engine and around 100,000 miles on the clock.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Off road, the Panda is far more capable than most will ever need it to be, The G-Wagen is a rather archaic machine, with solid front and rear axles and
even if it isn’t a proper ‘utilitarian’ 4x4. On road, the taller suspension causes body-on-frame construction. Consequently, its on-road manners are pretty
a bit of extra body roll in corners, but it does smooth the regular Panda’s abysmal, with a rough ride, sluggish steering and occasionally alarming
fidgety ride somewhat. It’s not as quick or as economical as the standard handling. It’s good fun in its own way, though, thanks to an imperious driving
car, but overall it’s quite engaging and good to drive. position and the knowledge that little will stop you in your tracks.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

The Fiat Panda 4x4 has distilled four-wheel drive flavour packed into it It’s very much a product of its time, but all the important Mercedes hallmarks
like an SUV stock cube. It has a cabin full of infectious charm that is are evident: it’s incredibly well built, neatly trimmed and relatively refined. You’ll
covered in facsimiles of the Panda’s trademark ‘squircle’ design feel suitably secure, too, thanks to its robust construction, and all-round visibility
motif. It isn’t particularly roomy, though, and there are a few cheap is good. Kit levels should also be pretty acceptable, with most at this price point
plastics in places, but it does come with a decent amount of kit. including air-con, leather seats, electric windows and remote central locking.
WHERE’S MY MONEY GOING?

Into a reliable and economical car. Problems should You’re buying a durable, capable off-roader with a premium
be few and far between, and it should be capable of badge. It’ll cost a fair bit to run, but it shouldn’t depreciate
clocking up major mileages with only routine servicing. much, since the G-Wagen is now a borderline collector’s
It’s claimed to average 60.1mpg, too, although in the real item and popular among those who know its capabilities.
world you’ll probably be doing well to average 50mpg. Reliability should be fine, but repairs won’t be cheap.
WHY SHOULD I BUY ONE?

Because the little Panda is economical, rewarding to drive and easy to live with — A G-Wagen is one of those cars that’s great just to have on hand for when
and it makes a great rough-and-tumble second car. In 4x4 form, it’s even more the going gets rough. Driving up to an Alpine resort in heavy snow? No
engaging than the standard model and, more importantly, is one of the few cars of its trouble. Towing a stuck car out of a muddy ditch? Got it covered. Carrying
size and class that’s so equipped. Rivals are few and far between, with only the Dacia a load of scrap down to the local tip? Consider it done. It’s also an
Duster and Suzuki SX4 presenting themselves as genuine alternatives. endearing car to drive and own, despite its various flaws.
AND THE WINNER IS… NEW

The G-Wagen is a real classic with amazing off-road ability. In daily use it’s likely you’d
tire of its on-road manners and running costs, however. The Fiat, on the other hand,
would continue to put a smile on your face. It may not be big, but it’s the clever choice.
WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Let us know at autocar.co.uk/facebook

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CONCEPT TO COMPLETION
Richard Bremner
THEY WERE THE FUTURE, ONCE
The original car magazine, published
since 1895 ‘in the interests of the
mechanically propelled road carriage’
EDITORIAL
Tel +44 (0)20 8267 5630
Fax +44 (0)20 8267 5759
Email autocar@haymarket.com
Editor Jim Holder
Editor-in-chief Steve Cropley
Deputy editor Matt Burt
Managing editor Allan Muir
Digital editor Stuart Milne
Senior editor (news and features) Mark Tisshaw
Associate editor Hilton Holloway
Chief sub-editor Tim Dickson
Production editor Gary Lord
Road test editor Matt Prior
Deputy road test editor Matt Saunders
Road tester Nic Cackett
Deputy digital editor Lewis Kingston
Digital reporter Darren Moss
Art editor Amar Hussain
Deputy art editor Sarah Özgül
Chief photographer Stan Papior
Photographer Stuart Price
Picture editor Ben Summerell-Youde
Videographer Andrew Coles
Group editorial manager Olivia Pina
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Editor-at-large Steve Sutcliffe
Senior contributing writer Andrew Frankel
Industry editor Julian Rendell
Senior contributing editors Richard Bremner, Colin Goodwin
European editor Greg Kable
Grand prix editor Joe Saward
Used car editor James Ruppert
Special correspondents Mauro Calo, Keith Howard,
Peter Liddiard, Richard Webber
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Tel +44 (0)20 8267 5553
Contact Karen Parry (karen.parry@autocar.co.uk)
SUBSCRIPTIONS
No 81 Maybach Exelero
Tel 0844 848 8816
Overseas +44 (0)1795 592 972
E-mail autocar@servicehelpline.co.uk
SYNDICATION ENQUIRIES
Grace, style and compact charm: this aesthetic monstrosity had none of it Tel +44 (0)1962 867705
Contact Simon Fox (syndication@autocar.co.uk)
LICENSING ENQUIRIES
he cartoonishly Gothic Exelero was
T
Tel +44 (0)20 8267 5110
Maybach’s last creative gasp. There Contact Jim James (jim.james@haymarket.com)
were variations on this faux aristo BACK ISSUES
Tel 0844 8488816
brand’s slow-selling 57 and 62 Email autocar@servicehelpline.co.uk
limos, but this startling 2005 coupé was ADVERTISING
the only fresh model to emerge during Classified +44 (0)20 8267 5574 Display +44 (0)20 8267 5715
Production +44 (0)20 8267 5219 Fax +44 (0)20 8267 5312
Maybach’s failed 15-year revival. Sales director Julia Dear
It was built to honour a little-known Commercial director — creative solutions Mark Hanrahan
Commercial brand manager Ashley Murison
experimental coupé launched weeks Ad director (retail) Catherine Rowe
Senior display sales executive Fiona Bain
before the outbreak of World War 2 in Display agency sales Kylie Mckie
order to showcase a Fulda tyre. Tyre Motoring retail sales manager Marcus Wincott
Motoring retail sales leader Sam Liggett
maker Fulda had collaborated with Retail sales executive Nabila Moughal
Maybach to build the experimental 1939 Classified sales executives Adrianna Haynes
Maybach 38SW, and the two companies PRODUCTION
Tel +44 (0)20 8267 5219
co-operated again to make the Exelero. Production manager Suzanne Wiseman
Both pre-war and post-war cars The Exelero’s muted cabin was in contrast to the shocking vulgarity of its exterior Senior production controller Katie Walton
Production controller Lee Brister
harpooned your attention like a whale
PUBLISHING
in a fishing town’s harbour. The ’39 car escape the scene with decisive alacrity.
probed the frontiers of aerodynamics
with a silhouette worthy of an aircraft
A 5.9-litre V12 yielded And yet this car had even more drama
than it did horsepower. Its bonnet was
Marketing manager Darren Pitt
Publishing executive Niki Sorabjee
Direct marketing manager Karen McCarthy
maker’s wind tunnel, while the Exelero

stress-tested the boundaries of good
700bhp and enough longer than a billiard table, and there was
as much visual intrigue in its bizarrely
Newstrade marketing manager Nick Lyon
Head of events Wendy Stonebridge
Special projects director Derek Redfern
taste. It was named after Fulda’s ultra-

high-performance tyre, and the possibly
thrust to propel the angular tail. Tasteful? Hardly, and
certainly not with a tacked-on grille that
MANAGEMENT
Group publisher Alastair Lewis
Group director Patrick Fuller
feverish mind behind it belonged to

Fredrik Burchhardt, then 24, a student
Exelero to 218mph gave it the cow-catching prow of an Old
West railroad locomotive.
© 2013, Haymarket Media Group Ltd. Autocar, Motor, Autocar & Motor are registered
trademarks. Circulation enquiries: Frontline Ltd, Park House, 117 Park Rd, Peterborough
PE1 2TR (01733 555161). Repro by FMG, London N1. Printed by Wyndeham Peterborough.
Registered as a newspaper with the Royal Mail. Member of the ABC. ISSN 1355-8293. No
part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
of Pforzheim Polytechnic’s transport assigned to Italian coachbuilder Stola, Surprisingly, the Exelero’s interior was any form except by permission. The publisher makes every effort to ensure contents are
correct but cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Unsolicited material is
design course and the winner of a which built this monster tyre testing as disappointing as its economy. You’d submitted to Autocar entirely at the owner’s risk; the publisher accepts no responsibility
for loss or damage. With regret, competitions and promotional
competition to design the car. device as a fully functioning prototype. hope for a mysteriously lit, fantastical offers, unless otherwise stated, are not available to readers
outside the UK and Eire. North America: Autocar, ISSN number
His bold coupé was based on a The plan was to use the 57’s 550bhp, cavern of mad auto tech, but instead you 135589X, is published weekly by Haymarket Media Group,
Teddington Studios, Broom Road, Teddington TW11 9BE, United
shortened Maybach 57, although it was twin-turbo 5.6-litre V12, but the Exelero’s got an unexpectedly tame cabin splashed Kingdom. The US annual subscription price is $249. Airfreight and
mailing in the USA by agent named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet
still unmissably long. Burchhardt was colossal 2.7-tonne heft was too much with crude patches of red. Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY
11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431.
Autocar is a
member of the
organising
aided by Maybach’s own design studio, for the performance targets, so the Still, the Exelero was all about that Subscription records are maintained at Haymarket Media Group,
Teddington Studios, Broom Road, Teddington TW11 9BE. Air
committee of
Car Of The Year
Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent. caroftheyear.org
and the project team was surprised to motor was bored out to 5.9 litres. That eye-paralysing body. Only one was
discover that although the Exelero was yielded 700bhp, 738lb ft and enough built and, besides smashing 200mph, it ADDRESS
Autocar is published by
lengthier than the old 38SW, the two thrust to propel the beast to 218.4mph starred in the German TV series Cobra 11 Haymarket Consumer Media
Teddington Studios, Broom Road,
shared the same width and height. around Italy’s Nardo test circuit, which as well as Jay-Z’s Lost One video. It now Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9BE, UK
Achieving the Exelero’s tank-on-the- must have made a thunderous sight. belongs to a certain Arnaud Massartic. haymarketgroup.com
Tel +44 (0)20 8267 5000
lawn presence required relocating the The Exelero was also capable of 4.4sec Who is presumably an unretiring type. 3()&&HUWLILHG
Editorial director Mark Payton
Maybach 57’s steering column, pedals, bursts to 62mph, enabling any driver Creative director Paul Harpin 7KLVSURGXFWLV
gearchange and door mountings, a task embarrassed at its immodest aura to NEXT WEEK BMW GINA Strategy & planning director Bob McDowell
Managing director David Prasher
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Chief executive Kevin Costello
Got an opinion? Email us at autocar@haymarket.com Haymarket is certified by BSI to

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30 NEW CARS SPECIAL

11 SEPTEMBER 2013 £3.30 | AUTOCAR.CO.UK

New MG 3 first drive

is a revelation. The car Richard Bremner Maybach Exelero revisited 98

feels swift and special’

54 Tesla Model S fully road tested

64 Jaguar F-type joins the fleet

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Why Jaguar has

needed, that the company has never autocar.co.uk/mag

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C overhaul all of its

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Suzuki lines up new baby 4x4

S the iV-4, made its global

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