Motor Australia – May 2019

118 may 2019 whichcar.com.au/motor

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CRACKING THE CODE

• All performance figures are manufacturer claims, those in italics are as-tested by MOTOR.


• Figures for an automatic variant have an asterisk.


• Prices listed are manufacturer RRP, exclusive of on-roads. “DA” denotes driveaway price.


• Italicised fuel consumption figures are those collected on test.


• Engines are listed by configuration, capacity and means of induction. For example, I4/1.6T= turbocharged 1.6-litre
  inline four. Torque figures made by an engine’s over-boost function are contained in parentheses.


• Red^ denotes a new addition. Green denotes a model update.

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MODELTESTED PRICE ENGINE KW/RPM NM/RPMDRIVEKERB KGKW/TONNE0-100 KM/H0-400MFUEL

CONS RATING

Abarth http://www.fiat.com.au/abarth

(^595) $26,990 (5m) $28,990 (5s) I4/1.4T 107/5500 206/2000 front 1035 103 7.8 – 5.8 2.5 Abarth entry point now cheaper with a rorty engine, but barely qualifies as a performance car
595C $29,990 (5m) $31,990 (5s) I4/1.4T 107/5500 206/2000 front 1075 100 8.0 – 6.0 2.0 Stylish and torquey urban runabout struggles for fast car cred
595 Competizione May 18 $31,990 (5m) $33,990 (5s) I4/1.4T 132/5500 250/3000 front 1045 126 6.7 – 5.8 3.0 Recent power hike and price cut welcome, though serious ride/handling issues remain
595C Competizione $35,990 (5m) $37,990 (5s) I4/1.4T 132/5500 250/3000 front 1085 122 6.9 – 6.0 2.5 Monza exhaust is fantastic with the roof down, just avoid the MTA gearbox like the plague
124 Spider Aug 17 $41,990(6m)$43,990(6a) I4/1.4T 125/5500 250/2500 rear 1060 118 7.31 15.24 – 4.0 Sounds great, looks cool and feels faster than an MX-5, but actually isn’t
Alfa Romeo http://www.alfaromeo.com.au
Giulietta Veloce (^) $42,000 (6dc) I4/1.7T 177/5750 340/2000 front 1299 133 6.0214.29*6.8 3.5 Involving handling and impressive pace blighted by poor ride, intrusive ESP and flawed driving position
4C May 15 $89,000 (6dc) I4/1.7T 177/6000 350/2200 rear 1025 173 4.5 – 6.8 4.0 Clever construction and a proper driving event, but we’re suspicious about its ride on Aussie roads
4C Spider $99,000 (6dc) I4/1.7T 177/6000 350/2200 rear 1035 171 4.5 – – 4.0 Carbon monocoque means there’s almost no dynamic penalty, or room to put the roof
Giulia Veloce Sep 17 $72,900 (8a) I4/2.0T 206/6000 400/2200 rear 1429 144 5.71 13.92 6.1 3.5 Impressive road car, but QV looks and fine handling undermined by light steering and unkillable ESP
Giulia Quadrifoglio May 19 $145,900 (8a) V6/2.9TT 375/6500 600/2500 rear 1585 246 4.31 12.20 8.2 4.5 Alfa returns to form in style with great engine, brilliant chassis, just lacks that final few per cent
Stelvio Quadrifoglio $148,900(8a) V6/2.9TT 375/6500 600/2500 all 1830 205 3.8 – 10.2 4.0 Like a Giulia SUV, with extra 250kg and all-wheel drive, though we’re promised a rear-drive feel
Alpina http://www.alpinaautomobiles.com.au
(▼$25,910) (^) B3 Biturbo S May 19 $116,990 (8a) I6/3.0TT 324/6250 660/3000 rear 1705 190 4.3 – 7.9 4.0 If you want a fast BMW 3 Series but find the M3 too full on, this could be the car for you
B3 Biturbo S Touring $149,900 (8a) I6/3.0TT 324/6250 660/3000 rear 1780 182 4.3 – 7.9 4.0 Too soft to truly be an M3 Touring, but given its intended role that’s not a bad thing
(▼$25,910) (^) B4 Biturbo S Nov 18 $123,990 (8a) I6/3.0TT 324/6250 660/3000 rear 1690 192 4.2 – 7.9 4.0 Superb road manners and stylish looks, but you’ll have to continually explain why you didn’t buy an M4
B4 Biturbo S Convertible $159,900 (8a) I6/3.0TT 324/6250 660/3000 rear 1915 169 4.3 – 8.3 3.5 Arguably a more sensible choice than an M4 Cabriolet, but very heavy and expensive with options
B5 Biturbo $210,000 (8a) V8/4.4TT 447/6250 800/3000 all 2015 222 3.5 – 10.5 4.0 Beat new M5 to market with epic torque and acceleration, but it remains an unknown quantity
B7 Biturbo Feb 18 $369,720 (8a) V8/4.4TT 447/6250 800/3000 rear 2035 219 4.5 – 10.4 4.0 If you value exclusivity and care not for resale, this V8 limo is worth a look
Alpine http://www.alpinecars.com.au
Pure $97,000 (7dc) I4/1.8T 185/6000 320/2000 rear 1103 168 4.5 12.7 6.2 4.5 Stripped back, driver-focused version to go up against the S55-powered BMW M2 Competition
Legende $103,500 (7dc) I4/1.8T 185/6000 320/2000 rear 1103 168 4.5 12.7 6.2 4.5 Pays homage to the 1960s-era A110 Berlinette 1600S with two-tone wheels and adds more luxury
Premiere Edition Feb 19 $106,500(7dc) I4/1.8T 185/6000 320/2000 rear 1103 168 4.79 12.9 6.2 4.5 Superbly light and fun coupe sits above 4C, but below Cayman – though is it too close to the latter on price?
Aston Martin http://www.astonmartin.com
Vantage V8 Sep 18 $299,950 (8a) V8/4.0TT 375/6000 685/2000 rear 1530 245 3.6 – 10.5 4.5 Looks fantastic and pairs beastly AMG V8 with a playful rear-drive chassis
DB11 V8 $374,995 (8a) V8/4.0TT 375/6000 675/2000 rear 1760 213 4.0 – 9.9 4.0 Sportiest DB11 benefits from AMG twin-turbo V8 and revised suspension for a sharper drive
DB11 V8 Volante $398,495 (8a) V8/4.0TT 375/6000 675/2000 rear 1870 201 4.1 – 10.0 4.0^ V8-only for now, with the ability to whip the soft-top off in 14 seconds via remote
DB11 Apr 18 $395,000 (8a) V12/5.2TT 447/6500 700/1500 rear 1770 253 3.9 – 11.3 4.5 Exactly what a luxury GT should be; magnificent engine, chassis finely judged
DB11 AMR Jul 18 $428,000 (8a) V12/5.2TT 470/6500 700/1500 rear – – 3.7 – 11.4 4.5 AM-Racing version replaces Launch Edition with more power, faster performance, same price
DBS Superleggera Sep 18 $517,000 (8a) V12/5.2TT 533/6500 900/1800 rear 1693 315 3.5 – – 4.0 Drop-dead gorgeous; stunning acceleration; very comfortable; it’s no 812 Superfast in the corners
Vanquish S $489,950 (8a) V12/5.9 444/7000 630/5500 rear 1739 255 3.5 – 13.1 4.0^ Vanquish is now better than ever in its twilight years, though the ride isn’t very GT-like
Vanquish S Volante $526,950 (8a) V12/5.9 444/7000 630/5500 rear 1844 241 3.5 – 13.1 3.5 Very heavy, a little wobbly, but you’d forgive it for those looks and that engine note
Vanquish S Ultimate $518,995 (8a) V12/5.9 444/7000 630/5500 rear 1739 249 3.5 – 13.1 4.0 175-unit farewell edition gets no extra power, but plenty of extra toys
Vanquish S Ultimate Volante $555,995 (8a) V12/5.9 444/7000 630/5500 rear 1849 234 3.5 13.1 3.5 At this price, we’d (much) rather a DBS Superleggera, thanks
Rapide S $382,500 (8a) V12/5.9 411/6650 630/5500 rear 1990 207 4.9 – – 3.0 When you want to be James Bond but need to take the kids to school, as only kids will fit in the rear
Rapide AMR $459,950 (8a) V12/5.9 433/7000 630/5500 rear 1990 218 4.4 – – 3.0 A more rapid Rapide grand finale looks as hot as ever, but feeling its age against newer rivals
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