Autocar magazine 22 April - on sale now
This week: Land Rover doubles down on plug-in hybrids, new Skoda Octavia driven, 50 years of the Range Rover and much more
Land Rover introduced two plug-in hybrid models that will prove vital to the British marque's prospects. The Range Rover Evoque PHEV and Discovery Sport PHEV are this week's cover stars, pairing three-cylinder petrol engines with electric motors to help the brand achieve lower fleet emissions ahead of tough 2021 EU targets.
The launch of the new models comes hot on the tail of the release of the 2020 Defender and will arguably be as important for the Land Rover in terms of sales. We also speak to the man behind the new hybrid powertrain, Land Rover’s PHEV vehicle engineering manager Chris Carey, only in this week’s mag.
*ALSO IN THIS ISSUE*
Audi has followed up its recently revealed A3 Sportback hatch with the more coupé-like A3 saloon, which gets mild hybrid power and uprated technology. We've got all the details. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is researching multiple technologies to lower its carbon footprint, including radical, environmentally friendly organic batteries. However, it will not be pursuing synthetic fuel, because it does not believe the much touted alternative to traditional power sources is viable.
We spoke to Nissan to get more details on its Ariya concept, revealed in Tokyo last year, as the company prepares to take the next step towards bringing its long-promised Leaf SUV into production. Ferrari is also working on a bold new model; its first EV is set to arrive in 2025 and will feature new technology to ease the firm’s transition to electric power.
Elsewhere, the future of Smart seemed uncertain for a while, but thanks to a joint venture between Daimler and Geely, the brand is now set to thrive. We also get our first look at three new Volkswagen R models, due before the end of 2020, with some early spy shots.
We also analyse the extent new car sales have been savaged by the coronavirus lockdown, and ask what buyers, dealers and car firms will do to mitigate it.
-Reviews-
Leading this week’s first drives is the new Skoda Octavia, driven for the first time in practical estate guise. Skoda has aimed to make the fourth iteration of its best-seller even more versatile, refined and upmarket. But has it succeeded? We find out.
Next, the BMW M8 Competition Coupe, which aims to match the luxurious refinement of a GT with a brawny V8 personality, meets British roads for the first time. Then the Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD gets put through its paces to see if great drivability and aesthetics can take the fight to longtime rival Ferrari.
The Vauxhall Grandland X Hybrid steps up to the plate in the Autocar Road Test. Vauxhall has beaten the pack to the plug-in crossover niche - but is this a niche worth exploring? And finally, in the first of our new ‘road test rewinds’, we turn back the clock to 2007 and our road test of the legendary Ford Mondeo.
-Features-
Hard to believe, we know, but it has now been 50 years since Land Rover released the first Range Rover. To honour the Rangie’s half-century, Richard Webber takes the latest model on a road trip to meet a special ancestor.
Next, John Evans straps on his police cap to investigate the politics of drink driving, while James Attwood gets the lowdown on Toyota’s Burnaston factory, which is responsible for making the Corolla and, in contrast to the dire state of the UK car industry, thriving.
Finally, we asked eleven of our writers to ponder the question of their favourite car that, though built on Albion shores, is the brainchild of a firm from overseas. From Peugeot 206s to Nissan Micras, you might be surprised by some of our choices.
Opinions
You know that EV you’ve had your eye on, but haven’t yet summoned up the wherewithal to buy? Well, now’s the time to order one, reckons Steve Cropley, as everything from Kia e-Niros to Renault Zoes are now available in droves online. There’s immediate delivery, too. Meanwhile, Matt Prior is disturbed by the possible resurrection of car scrappage schemes. Such initiatives sound good in theory, but, as our man explains, the reality can often be less stunning.
-Deals-
Subs are for football, not cars, says James Ruppert. With that in mind, our Bangernomics experts rounds up several top-class bangers you can nab for the price of a year's worth of subscription motoring, including a head-turning Nissan 350Z for under ten grand.
In our nearly new guide, we set our sights on the unreliable but still appealing Mk5 Land Rover Discovery, while the Mercedes W123 takes centre stage in our used guide. Despite hailing from the 70s, the old barge still exudes luxury, though buyers with an eye for pace should look elsewhere.
-Where to buy-
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