Currently reading: Autocar magazine 24 July preview
Alfa Romeo Spider details; Aston Martin's centenary celebrated; Mercedes-Benz GL road test; BMW 4-series driven; Audi RS7 tested; BMW Z4 used buying guide

This week's issue of Autocar, dated 24 July 2013, kicks off with an update on Alfa Romeo's forthcoming Spider, which look set to blend lightweight engineering and modern styling with an accessible chassis and a power output of 168bhp when it goes on sale in late 2015.

To tie-in with Aston Martin's centenary, we've dedicated 12 pages to say happy birthday to one of the world's most revered brands. Andrew Frankel takes a V12 Vantage to Goodwood circuit and looks back to Aston Martin's most thrilling sports car race victory at the West Sussex venue. 

Steve Cropley uncovers Aston's secret service department and the man behind it, while Lewis Kingston explains how owning a used Aston doesn't always have to come with a six-figure price tag.

The mighty Mercedes GL gets the most thorough assessment in the business as our road test experts scrutinise every nut, bolt and claimed performance figure. We also provide our first impressions of the striking BMW 4-series, the Audi RS7 and uprated BMW M5 Competition Pack

It's been another busy week for our long-term test fleet. We say an enthusiastic 'hello' to our Seat Leon FR, and get updated on what our Kia Procee'd, Caterham Seven and BMW M135i have been up to recently.

If you're in the market for a sporty second-hand bargain, check out our Used Buying Guide on the BMW Z4. Passable used examples can be found from about £5000, for which you get a lot of style and pizzazz.

Our used car guru James Ruppert extols the virtues of buying second-hand convertibles, and why the prices might not be as soaringly high as you might expect.

Autocar magazine is available through all good newsagents, and available to download from Zinio and the Apple iTunes store.

You can also buy one-off copies of Autocar magazine from Newsstand, delivered to your door the morning after.

Add a comment…