Autocar magazine 17 June - on sale now

This week: Volkswagen’s ID 3 driven, Focus vs Golf showdown, Lamborghini’s archive and much more

Volkswagen is close to signing off plans for a hot, R-badged version of the upcoming ID 3 electric hatchback - and Autocar sources suggest the performance machine will be launched in 2024.

The fiery EV is set to pave the way for a diverse line-up of new VW electric vehicles. From the ID 4 SUV to the retro-inspired ID Buzz, we’ve got all the details.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Also in this issue, Seat has upgraded its Ateca, adding more efficient engines and new technology to the bestselling SUV.

Then, we catch our first glimpse of the all-new Nissan Qashqai, Alpina launches new versions of its hot 5 Series quartet and Jaguar fuels speculation that the brand’s next sports car will be electric - the British marque is seeking to trademark the name ‘EV-Type’, suggesting its long-awaited F-Type successor could do away with a combustion motor.

The Mercedes-AMG E63 faces a fresh challenge as BMW updates its M5 performance saloon with an exterior makeover and chassis updates. Meanwhile, Fiat has revealed the hatchback version of its now all-electric 500, and Land Rover celebrates 50 years of the Range Rover with a limited-run special edition as Citroen pins hopes on its new C4.

In our business section, we ask: what’s next after lockdown? Scrappage schemes, a transport rethink and urban road closures are all in the offing. Finally, Jim Holder investigates how car makers can break into Europe, traditionally the toughest but also one of the most lucrative markets.

-Reviews-

Could the Volkswagen ID 3 be the car to take the EV into the mainstream? We drive a production-ready model ahead of launch to find out.

Then, we try the revamped Skoda Octavia on for size on UK roads for the first time. It gains a spruced-up interior while keeping its trademark fuss-free handling and ride. Then, when it comes to luxury, our testers give the palm to the new Bentley Continental V8 GTC.

This week’s road test sees us slip into the Audi A8 to find out if Ingolstadt’s flagship cruiser, which now has hybrid power as well as its usual arsenal of advanced technology, can still hang with the best premium cars. We also wind back the clock to 2016, when the Ferrari 488 GTB earned a coveted five-star rating in our latest road test rewind.

-Features-

It’s a tussle worthy of comparison to Ali vs Frasier. Matt Saunders catches up with the latest Volkswagen Golf to see whether it gets the knockout over the Ford Focus.

The treasure trove of artefacts inside Lamborghini’s heritage division would grace any museum collection. But for its archivist, as we discover, they’re also tools of the trade.

Next, we explore the delights of cars which perform better than they look, then pick out twelve inspirational figures from the motoring industry: six from the present, six from the past.

In this week’s motorsport section, Damien Smith explains why cockpit safety will always count for more than good looks in racing, we round up five of the best F1 season openers, and find out why Prodrive has decided to go all in with an entry to one of the most demanding motorsport events in the world: the Dakar Rally.

Opinions

A scale model Citroën DS proves almost as exciting as the real thing for Steve Cropley this week. In fact, so tasteful is its shape, that even his usually long-suffering family is onboard with the buy. The rest of the week is spent exploring the fascinating technology of tyres, and musing on the intricacies of ride comfort. Meanwhile, Matt Prior considers why people drive cars into cities, and what should (or should not) be done about it.

-Deals-

What’s the best thing to do when your car’s finance deal is up? James Ruppert reckons then’s the time to twist on a new old car, like a £1999 Nissan Qashqai. Then, in our nearly new guide, we show you how to pick up a Range Rover Evoque for £10k, before Felix Page navigates the rough terrain of third-generation Corvettes. £12k will net you a ‘Vette, but choose carefully to avoid a money pit.

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