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Hatchbacks are back: three familiar names reborn
145
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 the planet-loving D5 doesn’t let
a relatively meagre 155g/km prevent 174mph max
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
> VERDICT 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 ★★★★★
NEW
ENTRY
> A torquey straight-six diesel X3 with
more cows inside than a tannery. Fast,
fun and leftfield in the good kind of
way > VERDICT Now actually quite good, but
flanked by cheaper rivals
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
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 a Ferrari 812
RAPIDE AMR ★★★★★
> Last, and rather glorious, outing for AM’s old-
school V12. Forget all the limo pretensions, though:
it’s a cramped four-door 2+2 > VERDICT Pretty and
still very fun to drive, but the interior is more dated
than a New York socialite and almost as hard on
your wallet
AUDI
A1 ★★★★★
> Second-generation Mini rival is five-door only and
ups the dimensions, tech and maturity on the first
gen, 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
Mercedes-AMG A45
The hot-hatch
arms-race
front-runner
stretches its lead.
Smallest AMG packs
a punch and drifts like
a Ford Focus RS.
Page 150
BMW 3-series
Touring
Classic case of
the estate being
even better than
the saloon. It’s
a 3-series with
a bigger boot -
what’s not to like?
Page 146
Mazda CX-30
Let down only by a
limp engine range,
this is pretty, with a
swish interior, and
it steers well – but
all that’s also true
of the 3 hatch it’s
based on...
Page 149
GBU
Totally unique
guide to EVERY
car on sale in
the UK, with a
punchy view
on all of them –
yours included
OCTOBER 2019 | CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK
