Autocar magazine 9 June - on sale now
This week: bumper Autocar Awards special issue, Alfa GTV revival scooped, more uber-luxurious Rolls-Royce models on the way and much more
This week’s issue is a 2021 Autocar Awards special edition, in which we reveal the best cars of the past twelve months - as well as the industry figures that helped make them great, and who do so much to move our industry forward.
Our most prestigious award is the Issigonis Trophy, presented to the individual who has made the greatest contribution to the success of their company. This year’s winner is Hyundai group chairman Euisun Chung. We meet the visionary leader with a talent for being ahead of the curve.
For the full list of winners and interviews, pick up a copy of this week’s magazine.
-Also in this issue-
Our reporters can exclusively reveal Alfa Romeo’s plan to revive the GTV as an electric four-door coupe this week.
Alfa’s forthcoming flagship will be the header of an ambitious revival plan that will include a revamp of its model line-up, with three SUVs, a saloon, supermini and Spider in the works.
Elsewhere there’s big news out of Germany, as BMW rounds out its second-generation 4 Series range with the new Gran Coupé. Meanwhile, the range-topping M Competition versions of the BMW X3 and X4 have gained a revised powertrain that offers extra torque.
Not content with the £20m Boat Tail, the most expensive new car ever, Rolls-Royce is plotting yet more rare cars, which will be produced by its Coachbuild division. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s upcoming mid-engined hybrid supercar, which has been spied testing in prototype form, is set to be the firm’s first model since the Dino to use a V6 engine.
In the analysis section, we delve into Uber’s decision to become electric-only in London by 2025 - and how it has created a scramble among car makers to secure the business of some 45,000 drivers. They have to dump their hybrids if they want to continue working for the American company.
In the business section, we take a look at how the UK is laying the legal groundwork for self-driving cars on our shores, before Jim Holder reflects on rare positives from the last 18 months. When you can’t fly to spain, why not build a van and sit in a field?
Reviews
After 21 years, Hethel’s intoxicating road-racer gets ready to bow out with new Final Edition models. How much will it be missed? We find out in the first of this week’s drives.
Then, we ask if a more civilised Honda Civic Type R can really work or just dilute what originally made it special? Well, it remains about as subtle as a punch in the face, report our testers. Audi’s luxury seven-seat Q7 SUV also gains a second, less expensive plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Finally, the road test sees the Volkswagen Arteon bring plug-in power and an exotic shooting brake body. The testers give their verdict.
Features
This week’s issue is a 2021 Autocar Awards special edition, in which we reveal the best cars of the past twelve months - as well as the industry figures that helped make them great, and who do so much to move our industry forward.
Opinions
Nobody has yet built the ideal set of wheels. This extraordinary contention belongs to Steve Cropley, who wants a luxury SUV that’s the size of a Suzuki Jimny - essentially, he’s calling for a much smaller Range Rover. Meanwhile, Matt Prior reckons post french cars may be hard done by in the UK, but not by Autocar.
-Deals-
What cars are likely to fail their first MOT test asks James Ruppert in this week’s used column. Maybe you should avoid second-hand Renault Meganes… Happily, there’s an alternative: the Hyundai i30 N, which is keen value new, says Mark Pearson, and even better used. If you’re feeling spicy, Leicestershire’s Noble M12 went down a storm when it was launched in 2001, and it still offers a whole tonne of fun at affordable prices today, as we report.
-Where to buy-
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