2019-04-01 CAR UK (1)

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NEW IN THIS MONTH

The names may be familiar but the cars are all new

APRIL 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

STELVIO 

> 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, >^ uperlightS 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 HATCH/S’BACK/SALOON 
King of quality, but adrenalin isn’t specified
among the standard kit > VERDICT Classy hatch
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
Porsche 911
The 992-gen 911 could
have been phoned in but
Porsche has done it again:
unrivalled as a do-anything
sports car.
Page 150
Mazda 3
Most stylish family hatch
on the market right now?
Great to drive, too. But
wait for the compression-
ignition petrol.
Page 148
Lamborghini Huracan Evo
Spine-tingling V10, beguiling
looks and enhanced dynamic
ability make the Evo a proper
performance contender.
Page 147
Toyota RAV4
Space Invaders on wheels
is the only element of
sparkle in a package
that’s otherwise all about
practicality and safety tech.
Page 152

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