Autocar magazine 2 September - on sale now
This week: All-new Rolls-Royce Ghost revealed, Skoda Octavia Estate road test, 2020 Land Rover Defender vs rivals and much more
Rolls-Royce has unveiled an all-new, second-generation version of the most successful car in its history: the Ghost saloon.
Billed as a “slightly smaller, less ostentatious means of owning a Rolls-Royce,” the new model gains bespoke underpinnings, a specially adapted V12 engine and a new minimalist look.
Pick up this week’s mag to find out more.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Skoda has revealed its first bespoke electric car, the Enyaq iV. The Czech brand has hailed the electric SUV as “the start of a new era for Skoda”.
Elsewhere, the Hyundai Kona crossover has been revamped for 2021, ushering in a new look inside and out, and Lister turns Jaguar’s F-Pace SVR into the ‘fastest SUV on sale in Britain’.
Speaking of SUVs, there’s change afoot for the Peugeot 3008. The high-riding compact SUV has been brought into line with its newer 208, 2008 and 508 stablemates with an updated design, upgraded interior technology and a new plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Meanwhile, Seat has published the prices for its facelifted Ateca. Starting at £23,670, it undercuts its predecessor.
In other news, Mercedes has shown the next-generation SL in official prototype shots ahead of its unveiling next year and Porsche has revised the Panamera, introducing a new variant: the 621bhp Turbo S.
This week’s Autocar Business section examines whether UK-China tensions will affect Britain’s motor industry. Finally, we consider the pros and some unexpected cons of incentive schemes.
-Reviews-
The third-generation Fiat 500 isn’t due to arrive until next year, but it leads this week’s first drives in late-prototype form. The popular supermini goes electric only for the first time, but does this come at the cost of charm?
Power is the buzzword for the Volkswagen Golf GTE, and this one’s also kind to the environment as it’s a plug-in hybrid. 242 horses are offered, the same as in the eighth-generation Golf GTI. We see how it performs on the road. We also go pedal to the metal in the BMW M8 Competition Coupe. The latest missile from M Division 616bhp from a twin-turbo V8, and boy do you notice it.
Then in this week’s road test, it’s the turn of the rejuvenated Skoda Octavia Estate to face the tester’s clipboards. The Octavia gains added tech and premium appeal, and is tasked with taking Skoda upmarket. Does it succeed?
-Features-
This is the big one. We’ve tested the new Land Rover Defender in Namibia, put it through its paces on UK roads (and off them). But rivals… In this week’s first feature we introduce the Defender to the Mercedes G-Class and Jeep Wrangler. Which will come out on top?
Sticking with the JLR theme, Steve Cropley catches up with former Jaguar design chief Ian Callum to hear about his life in 12 cars. Then, the subject turns to more current projects, such as Callum’s latest: an update of his original Aston Martin Vanquish. Steve Cropley finds out what he’s done to improve it.
From sports car to supercar now as Ronan Glon drives the £4.5 million Bugatto Divo. With its latest ultra-exclusive creation, Bugatti has shifted its focus from outright speed to handling, although with 1479bhp don’t go thinking that the Divo is slow.
Finally, Tim Dickson investigates the - ahem - grey area of so-called ‘grey imports’. Here’s how to source your next used car from Japan.
Opinions
One of the few upsides of coronavirus pandemic is that headquarters tours have smaller groups and are consequently more informative, as Steve Cropley found on when he visited Rolls-Royce’s HQ in Goodwood to learn more about the new Ghost. He also muses on the effectiveness of his new BMW M235i long-termer and shares some wisdom for those looking to buy a McLaren or a Porsche. Meanwhile, Matt Prior comments on a recent legal battle between 4x4 drivers and environmentalists about access to two green lanes in the Lake District.
-Deals-
Why faff around with a PCP when you can buy a perfectly good Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon from 2009 for £8k? James Ruppert is amazed the question even needs asking. In our nearly new guide, we show you how to buy a good-as-new Nissan Leaf, then explain why you should forget about your Mazda MX-5 and plump for a Nissan 350Z, instead - it’s the star of this week’s used buying guide.
-Where to buy-
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