Car UK May 2019

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NEW IN THIS MONTH

Two new names and the inexplicable return of an old one

MAY 2019 | CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK 143

ABARTH

595 ★★★★★

> Pricey pocket rockets with divine details, dodgy

dynamics and a choice of 1.4-litre turbocharged

engines in various stages of steroidal over-

compensation > VERDICT Like a small yappy dog:

noisy, excitable and likely to give you a headache

124 SPIDER ★★★★★

> Tuning division’s take on Fiat’s take on the Mazda

MX-5, with tweaked brakes, engine, steering and

suspension > VERDICT A delight to drive, but the

rational decision is to go for a better-value Mazda

ALFA ROMEO

GIULIETTA ★★★★★

> Looked like a credible Golf rival for a while but

now the game has moved on. Keen prices, but

several alternatives are roomier, classier and more

fun to drive > VERDICT Miles better than a Mito.

Miles better than a 4C, even. But, unfortunately,

miles behind a Golf

4C/4C SPIDER ★★★★★

> Sexy carbon two-seater over-promises and

under-delivers on a double-your-dong-length web-

scam scale. Spider a step in right direction

> VERDICT Shoots for the moon, hits itself in the

foot. Lotus Elise more fun, Porsche Cayman a

better bet

GIULIA ★★★★★

> Good grief – an Alfa Romeo we can finally

recommend that you buy. Auto-only 3-series rival

has sharp steering, sultry looks, great driving

position. Bellissimo! > VERDICT Note to dealers:

don’t cock it up

STE LV I O ★★★★★

> Either we’ve collectively entered another

dimension or Alfa has just built two excellent cars in

a row. Now we just need everyone to start buying

them again > VERDICT Worth the risk at least once

in your life

GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO ★★★★★

> Make that three. Like a regular Giulia doped up by

Lance Armstrong, this 191mph, 503bhp rocket is a

quadruple shot of espresso for Alfa’s long lamented

soul. At last > VERDICT The closest you can currently

get to a four-door Ferrari. Really. That good

ALPINA

D3/B3 ★★★★★

> 3-series derivatives with twin-turbo petrol and

diesel stonk and smooth auto ’boxes mated

to a quality chassis, but watch out for some

questionable OAP-spec interior finishes

> VERDICT Try an xDrive D3 Touring – it’s what the

M3 wants to be when it grows up

D4/B4 ★★★★★

> Same blend of fast and frugal as above but

slotted into slinkier 4-series shell. ZF auto not as

snappy as M4’s twin-clutch, but much smoother

> VERDICT 53mpg and 62mph in 4.6sec? And

you’re alright with this, BMW?

D5/B5 ★★★★★

> Twin-turbo B5 petrol V8’s 590lb ft could de-forest

the Amazon while planet-loving D5 doesn’t let a

meagre 155g/km prevent 174mph max > VERDICT

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

You can’t have a real M5 Touring, but this comes

close

B7 ★★★★★

> BMW doesn’t make an M7, but Alpina does.

Twin-blown petrol V8 delivers ’bahn-busting

performance that’s best enjoyed in Germany

> VERDICT Niche Merc-AMG S63 alternative

hamstrung by the ugliness of the raw materials

XD3 ★★★★★

> X3 35d-based high-rise hot rod delivers 350bhp,

516lb ft, and the horizon through your windscreen.

Spoiled by a rock-hard ride

> VERDICT Another niche BMW that Munich leaves

to Alpina. Porsche Macan is better

ARIEL

ATOM ★★★★★

> Only the Pope’s lips get more up close and

personal with the tarmac than an Atom driver, but

there’s zero protection when the heavens open

> VERDICT Spectacular toy. Great on track, barmy

on road

NOMAD ★★★★★

> Not content with terrifying on tarmac, Ariel

also offers the off-road Nomad. Gains a roll-over

structure but, like the Atom, still no doors

> VERDICT Remember to put the hot water on –

you’ll need a long, hot bath when you get home

ASTON MARTIN

VANTAGE ★★★★★

> A truly convincing 911 rival that’s impressively

aggressive and thrillingly quick. Interior is

pleasingly solid but lacks fizz > VERDICT A stunner

to look at and rewarding to drive

DB11 ★★★★★

> Slick aero slinkiness, belting V12 turbo and,

crucially, Merc help with wiring > VERDICT Finally

the right blend of new stuff and classic Aston charm

results in a cut-above GT

DBS SUPERLEGGERA ★★★★★

(^) tingle of a Ferrari Superfast, but stunning to look at, >^ Superlight it isn’t, and can’t match the spine
incredibly quick and dripping with prestige

VERDICT A proper flagship GT, but softer-edged
than an 812
RAPIDE S ★★★★★
Take that, Panamera! Aston shows Porsche how
to make a supercar/saloon cocktail. Forget all
the limo pretensions, though: it’s a four-door 2+2
VERDICT Pretty, but interior more dated than
a New York socialite and almost as hard on your
wallet
ALPINE
ALPINE A110 ★★★★★
Desirable, cleverly packaged and dynamics to
die for. A bit pricey and the interior lacks wow but
the Cayman should be seriously worried
VERDICT Reborn Alpine has smashed it clean
out of the park
AUDI
A1 ★★★★★
Second-generation Mini rival is five-door only
and ups the dimensions, tech and maturity,
although you can spec it in brash two-tone colour
combos. Best at its simplest > VERDICT The
Evoque of superminis: stylish, posh and will sell
like hot cakes
A3 SPORTBACK/SALOON ★★★★★
King of quality, but adrenalin isn’t specified
among the standard kit, although S versions are
generally livelier all round > VERDICT Classy five-
door hatch and four-door saloon, and not much of a
financial gulf to a Golf
A3 CABRIOLET ★★★★★
Premium sun-grabber without macho sports-car
posturing. A bit tight in the back, but pretty tight
in the bends too. Try a 1.8 TFSI Sport > VERDICT
Definitely worth the £2k premium over a VW Golf
Bentley Continental
GT Convertible
Gorgeous, swift
and built like a
Chesterfield sofa.
Cue shock and awe
at the country club.
Page 144
V W T- Cross
Wait, which one is this?
Smaller than a T-Roc.
Polo-size, not Golf-size.
Like the Seat Arona
and some Skoda or
other. Probably. People
will buy it anyway.
Page 152
Toyota Corolla
One of Toyota’s better
designs and one
of its better driving
experiences too. What
makes it a Corolla rather
than an Auris remains,
however, a mystery.
Page 152
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