Marie Claire Australia — June 2017

WINNER

marieclaire.com.au 191

WATCH OUT FOR:

AUDI A1 SPORTBACK

Proving small cars don’t

have to be dull or slow,

Audi’s A1 Sportback (from

$27,300) is both pretty and

premium. The smallest

Audi ever is too petite for

family duties, but perfect

for upwardly mobile singles.

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streets, while the VW Beetle had

also returned from the dead. But

only the Fiat 500 (from $18,000)

stayed true to its retro style.

However, the 500’s classic

Euro design can’t hide the high-

tech gadgetry of this makeover,

with touch screens and button-

festooned steering wheels

peppering the entire range.

Yes, it’s uncomfortable for

any adult-sized humans forced to

sit in the back seat. But it’s also

stunning to look at, a dream to

park and will inject la dolce vita

into the most dull commutes.

FASHION CRED: With special

collaborations already rolled out

with Gucci, Paco Rabanne and

Diesel, watch for more hook-ups.

WINNER

Winner: HYUNDAI i30

WHO IS IT FOR: Coin-saving

couples; young families.

WHY WE LOVE IT: While some

of Hyundai’s old cars looked like

crumpled chip packets (hi, Excel)

a recent design revolution – led

by former Audi style chief Peter

Schreyer – has injected some

cool into Hyundai’s look.

As a result, the Korean brand now

produces some of the best-looking

cars on the road, and that formula

has been tinkered with – and

improved – for the i30 hatch.

Its street appeal joins a technology-

packed offering, with a larger and

more practical interior, and a

bigger boot that will swallow all

a family can throw at it: car

seats, groceries, sports gear.

As Australians downsize from

Holden Commodores and Ford

Falcons, an i30-sized vehicle is the

obvious car choice for new families.

It’s one of the country’s most

popular cars and also one of its

best valued (from $21,450).

TECH ALERT: Check out the

massive touch screen in the centre

console, which can cleverly mirror

your iPhone screen.

CITY SLICKER

Winner: FIAT 500

WHO IS IT FOR: Style mavens;

lovers of Italian cool; singles;

young couples.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Fiat’s funky

two-door 500 first rolled into the

hearts of fashion-focused motorists

in 1957. Relaunched in 2007, it

washed into Australia from the

catwalks of Milan riding a wave

of nostalgia – and it wasn’t alone.

Mini’s equally old-school Mini

Cooper was again prowling the

WATCH OUT FOR:

BMW M140i

Not all hatchbacks are

created equal, and BMW’s

speed-hungry micro-machine

is setting a new pace. The

M140i’s potent turbocharged

engine provides plenty of

power, while its burbling

exhaust and performance-

focused interior complete the

hot hatch experience. This is

one very good small package

indeed. From $64,000.

CAR GUIDE