Autocar is the car nut’s weekly fix, delivering you a unique mix of the latest news, opinion, features, first drives of new cars and in-depth road tests – all complemented by the best photography in the business. No other magazine covers the subject you love with such enthusiasm, insight and quality every week of the year. Autocar stands for the highest quality in car journalism – and is rewarded with access to the best new cars and the biggest news stories before any of the opposition which we share with you, our readers, every week.
PROGRESS CAME FROM ALL QUARTERS IN 2021
Exclusive new Bentley is W12 swansong special • Second model from Bentley’s bespoke coachbuilder previews firm’s first EV
BENTLEY’S FIRST EV: WHAT WE KNOW
CREWE’S W12: THE END OF AN ERA
Volvo backs saloons and estates • Car maker will replace its traditional models, despite sales of S and V series being eclipsed by SUVs
XC90 TO DOVETAIL NEW ELECTRIC SUV
Burnaston to refurbish ex-customer Toyotas
CONFIDENTIAL
How Dacia will buck electric trend • Budget brand to meet CO2 targets via lightweighting, not pricey PHEVs and EVs
Q&A DENIS LE VOT, CEO, DACIA
Safety rap for Renault Zoe and Dacia Spring
HOW AUDI’S DAKAR RALLY-RAIDER PUSHES BOUNDARIES OF EV TECH
The winners and losers of 2021 • After another 12 months of adversity, our end-of-year report reveals which car makers in the UK stood firm and which have it all to do
Jim Holder • INSIDE INFORMATION
Steve Cropley • MY HEROES OF 2021
RUF SCR • Built around Ruf’s proprietary new composite monocoque, this 911-alike combines old-world ingredients to mesmerising effect
AUDI R8 V10 PERFORMANCE RWD • Rear-driver is one of two new models that will take the V10 supercar to its expiry date
MORGAN PLUS FOUR ‘CLUBSPORT’ • Prototype gives us an early insight into the next generation of competition Morgans
BMW iX xDRIVE40 • Battery-electric technology flagship arrives in the UK with less potent motors
CUPRA BORN • How will sporty Spanish sibling of VW ID 3 electric hatchback take to British roads?
PORSCHE 911 CARRERA GTS • We finally get our hands on the hottest Carrera in rear-wheel-drive manual form
Bentley Continental GT • Range-topping two-door gains trick tech upgrades and heads off to hunt Astons
Range at a glance
Weights and measures
Multimedia system
Track notes
Data log
It remains a wonderful GT but can fall short as an entertainer
ROAD TEST RIVALS • Verdicts on every new car, p122
GIVING IT THEIR ALL • The BMW M3 is finally being offered with optional all-wheel drive. Can the latest Audi RS3, revamped for the PlayStation generation, keep it in its sights? Matt Saunders heads to the Peak District to find out
NEW M3 xDRIVE ALTERNATIVES
USED M3 xDRIVE ALTERNATIVES
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ROAD TEST YEARBOOK 2021 • This was the year electric cars truly came of age, from humble hatches to 2000bhp hypercars. But there were also C-word crises (Covid and chips) to navigate, the quickest car we’ve ever road tested, bold plans to reinvent famous brands, great driver’s cars, epic road trips… Relive it all over the next 23 pages
MONSTER MASH-UP • Autocar’s hive mind has chosen the best bits from its favourite motors to create this year’s Frankencar. Richard Lane prepares to reanimate
MY CAR OF 2021 • For a rundown of the best cars of the past year from an objective perspective, look elsewhere. These instead are our writers’ favourite new cars of 2021, very much subjectively speaking, warts and all
PLANS AND PREDICTIONS FOR 2022 • What does the year ahead have in store for...