Autocar magazine 1 July - on sale now

Autocar magazine 1 July - on sale now

Autocar

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This week: Defender-baiting Ineos Grenadier revealed, Ferrari SF90 Stradale driven, BMW M car mega-spread and much more

Something muddy this way comes… But it’s not a Defender. This week’s cover star is the Ineos Grenadier. 

You may know Ineos as a famous petrochemicals group, but it’s also been developing a 4x4 inspired by the original 1948 Land Rover Defender. Now the eagerly-awaited off-roader has broken cover. This week’s Autocar has all the technical details. 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Bentley is also making moves in the SUV segment this week. Now that Aston Martin has revealed the DBX, the luxury marque has shot back with an update to its best-selling Bentayga.

Elsewhere the Volkswagen Tiguan, Europe’s favourite SUV, gains a hybrid and hot R version. Another two SUVs also feature in this week’s news section, with the ‘real’ Land Rover Defender (sorry, Ineos) receiving a new Hard Top variant and the Kia e-Niro getting a mid-level offering for more affordable electric motoring.

Ford also speaks out against the UK government’s plot to ban sales of all new combustion engined cars by 2035, warning that there is “no silver bullet” solution.

Speaking of bullets, Lamborghini has lined up a new hypercar for Le Mans. Called the SCV12, this could be racing in the famous 24-hour endurance event by 2021. We also catch a glimpse of the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar.

Then we take an in-depth look at the Volkswagen Group’s new Car.Software division, before Jim Holder analyses the relationship between the most dysfunctional of automotive families: car makers and car retailers.

-Reviews-

Does Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid, the SF90 Stradale, do things conventionally? Don’t be daft. We set the latest prancing horse on a canter to find out what this means for performance.

And because you can never have too much of a good thing… We also take a drive in the Ferrari F8 Spider on the UK roads, before turning our sights to the Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe to find an authentically sporty V8 SUV that sits between the ‘regular’ Cayenne variants and the crazy Turbos. 

In the road test, it’s the turn of the BMW 3 Series 330e. Is this crucial plug-in hybrid version of the big-selling saloon a true BMW to its core? Welp, there’s only one way to find out...

-Features-

This week’s issue is themed around the BMW M car, one of the true ‘icons’ (that much overused word) of the performance car world. Kicking us off is the M2 CS. It promises much, but does it deliver? Next, we ponder the future of BMW’s M division’s offerings by trying out a prototype of the new BMW M3 (it’s set to be revealed this September).

Thirdly, if you’re seeking an alternative to a traditional, slick Beemer, how about an Alpina? The tuner provides a more exclusive and bespoke twist on the standard German saloons. The histories of BMW’s M division and Alpina are also inextricably intertwined, and filled with incredible creations; Richard Lane picks out the best.

Finally, the UK Government is considering banning sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 (or perhaps even earlier). And they want to hear the public’s view. This is important. How this transition is handled will have huge effects on the car industry and much more besides. Here, we explain what they must do and why. 

Opinions

Beaulieu may not be fully open, but the Palace House gardens can be viewed and Lord Montagu has thoughtfully stocked them with classic cars - Steve Cropley enjoyed taking a peek. Later in the week, our columnist opines on an inspirational interview with Williams F1 team deputy team principal Claire Williams. Elsewhere, Matt Prior is in a dour mood. Sadly, he’s reflecting on the closure of UK speedways.

-Deals-

Let James Ruppert introduce you to The Undesirables. No, this isn’t a dating show for the aesthetically challenged, nor a family-fun movie about a family of butterfaced superheroes. He’s talking about undesirable cars. But, of course, slow to sell can often mean low to buy…

In our nearly new guide this week, Mark Pearson guides you through the pitfalls of buying a Jaguar I-Pace. Then, Felix Page unleashes his inner 90s teen racer. If you’ve ever wanted to bag yourself a hot Citroën Saxo, now’s the time.

-Where to buy-

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