This week’s issue of Autocar, dated 31 July 2013, pits stylish shooting brake against rapid SUV against regular estate in a three-way test to decide the greatest high-speed load-lugger on the market.
Well, we say ‘regular’, but that’s in body shape only, because there’s little that could be described as ordinary about the latest Audi RS6 Avant’s blend of supercar-baiting performance and capacious carrying ability.
Audi has now been breeding high-performance estates for almost two decades, and is one of the best in the business at creating cars that offer both pace and space. But can it keep up with the Porsche Cayenne GTS, which throws high-riding prowess into the mix, or the left-of-field option, the heavily styled Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake?
We’ve also delved deep into the carbonfibre structure of the BMW i3 to assess the impact the German manufacturer’s first electric vehicle could have on the market. The car, revealed in definitive production form earlier this week, features a raft of high-tech, lightweight features that could make it the most desirable EV yet.
Also on an electric theme, Renault’s EV roll-out continues as we put the Renault Zoe hatchback through the full rigours of our road test. Does the new offering establish a new benchmark for full electric power, or is it beset by the same compromises as other vehicles that need to be harnessed to the mains supply to replenish its fuel level?
The opportunity of a trip to Maranello is never one to be turned down, and so it was that Steve Sutcliffe travelled to Italy to look around the Ferrari museum, which features a captivating exhibit tracing the development of LaFerrari. Design boss Flavio Manzoni talks our man through the process of creating the groundbreaking hypercar.
Another Italian institution, the famed ItalDesign Giugiaro styling house, offered Hilton Holloway the chance to drive its stunning Lamborghini-engined Parcour supercar. Find out what he thought about the rugged four-wheel-drive machine in our drive story.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT (also known as the GTO if you’re looking at an imported variant) is the subject of our in-depth Used Buying Guide this week. The car represents a relative bargain as a second-hand purchase, and is lots of fun to drive, although the four-wheel-drive super-coupé can be prone to mechanical issues, meaning careful scrutiny is recommended before you say goodbye to your cash.
Speaking of goodbyes, our long-term fleet has bid ‘adjö’ to the Volvo V40. Read our conclusions on life with the VW Golf-rivalling hatchback, as well as updates on our Morgan Plus 8 and BMW 728i (also known as Shed Seven).
Autocar magazine is available through all good newsagents, and available to download from Zinio and the Apple iTunes store.
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I personally witnessed part
I personally witnessed part of the Audi RS6 vs Porsche Cayenne GTS vs Merc test, so I'll be buying this! Came across you guys in the car park at Bala, then passed you while you were pulled up near Llyn Celyn reservoir and then pulled away on the B4391.
If I'd known you guys were with Auto Car I'd have come over at Bala and said hello! The RS6 was the best looking of the three in the flesh, I'd say.