ESTATES GIANT TEST
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New BMW 320d vs Audi A4 & Merc C220
YE A R S O F
L amboRGHINI 25-page special +New Aventador road st
er driven
Porsche cayman The first drive
Does this brilliant new coupe edge out the 911– for £25k less?
TWO SHOCK rolls-royceS!
We reveal its 4x4 – and mighty supercar
7 MORE DRIVES
Audi R8, Aston DB9, Mustang vs Camaro
BAG AN S UV BAR GAI N!
WINTER WARRIORS from just £9k
First Drives F E AT U R I N G : f o r d k u g a /// a u d i r 8 v10 p l u s /// c at e r h a m r 6 0 0 s ko d a o c tav i a /// a s t o n m a r t i n d b 9
Ford Kuga
Crossing the great divide The new Kuga has a transatlantic job to do – and does its Euro-duty just fine, says Ben Barry
G F WILLIAMS
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istory tells us that a one-size-fits-all policy can be a dangerous thing, especially when you’re dealing with American automotive stalwarts subjected to European interference. Remember the Pontiac Le Mans? 1960s American muscle car hero; V8 powerhouse; father of Iggy’s GTO. Then, in the 1980s, a man from GM had an idea. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘Let’s not make a new one. Let’s just
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put a Pontiac badge on a Mk2 Vauxhall Astra. They’re very good.’ The Americans weren’t fooled. A quarter of a century later and GM’s deadly rival is embracing its One Ford global policy, where model proliferation across markets is out and global homogeny is in; this, the Ford Kuga, is the latest fruit of those pancontinental loins. The new Kuga will replace both Europe’s Kuga and North America’s Escape, which will retain its maiden name. Unlike that Pontiac
debacle, however, neither market is getting re-heated leftovers – the new Kuga/Escape has been cooked up from the start with both markets in mind. The trade-offs that this necessitates leave contradictions at the Kuga/ Escape’s core; the previous European Kuga was a funky, active-lifestyle kind of crossover; the Escape is more of your sturdy, no-nonsense SUV – it’s been on sale for over a decade and shifts 200,000 units annually, so what it stands for really matters in the US.
First Drives
It feels European to drive, like a scaled-up Focus – essentially what it is
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has porsche topped itself?
This is the first drive of the Mk2 Cayman, a coupe so brilliant it could trounce not only its rivals but also its legendary big brother, the 911 Words: Georg Kacher
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Photography: Mark Bramley
cover story
New Porsche Cayman driven
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buying used
£1 bmw x5 5k m f ro
f ro
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r an
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£1 rover spor 3.5 t k
Premium SUVs from under £15k
off-road, but on-budget
A Land Rover Discovery for just £9k? A BMW X5, Range Rover Sport or Audi Q7 for un huge bargains, both literally and physically, but is there a catch? We dish the dirt… Wo 72
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£9 co 3 k dis
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m f ro
nder £15k? These four 4x4s are
ords: Ben Pulman
£1 audi q 4.5 7 k
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Photography: James Lipman
ur good friend depreciation means four of our favourite posh SUVs are now available for less than the price of a new Ford Focus. And because all four are still on sale, there’s little difference between these models and the brand new ones you’ll find in a showroom. Fit a private plate, and your neighbours will never guess how little you’ve actually spent. Of course they won’t be as comparatively cheap to run as they are to buy, but parts are plentiful, any problems are known about, and we’ve spoken to the experts so you know exactly what to look for, and what to be wary of. Admit it: you always wanted to look down on other road users, so turn the page and pick your first 4x4… 4 MARCH 2013 I CARMAGAZINE.co.uk
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The Lambo legend in the metal There haven’t been many new models in 50 years. But every one is slightly epic. By Chris Chilton
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hink Lamborghini and, depending on your age, you’re most likely to be thinking Countach and Miura, or possibly one of the new-era cars produced under Audi ownership. Those cars need no introduction, their stories have been told, their forms gracing millions of bedroom walls. Even the brutal LM002 SUV and four-seat Espada are fairly well known. But what about the other cars from Sant A’gata? Do you know your Islero from your Jarama? And could you tell a Urraco from a Silhouette? Compared with rival Ferrari, Lamborghini has produced very few wholly new cars in its 50 years. Here are the 14 key production models from the back catalogue, from the original 350GT to the current Aventador.
but mighty 455bhp 5.2 QV is the king. Number built 2042 Price at launch £17,285 Value now £200,000 Engine 3929cc 48v V12, 375bhp @ 8000rpm, 269lb ft @ 5000rpm Stats 6.0sec 0-62mph, 170mph
Murcielago 2002-2010
a practical 2+2. Number built 367 Price at launch £6000 Value now £200,000 Engine 3464cc 24v V12, 280bhp @ 6500rpm, 241lb ft @ 4500rpm Stats 6.8sec 0-62mph, 155mph
Espada 1968-1978
The original four-seater supercar Inspired by a couple of earlier concepts – the Marzal and Pirana – Espada was a true four-seat supercar and one of Lambor’s most successful early machines, remaining part of the line-up for 10 years. Front-mounted V12 was mated to a five-speed manual or, from ’74, a Chrysler auto. Lambo hasn’t revisited
the idea, but Ferrari has, with the FF. Number built 1217 Price at launch £10,295 Value now £35,000 Engine 3939cc 24v V12, 325bhp @ 6500rpm, 276lb ft @ 4500rpm Stats 6.5sec 0-62mph, 158mph
Reworked Urraco lost its +2 seats but gained a targa roof panel, becoming the first production Lambo roadster. Competing against Ferrari’s gorgeous 308 GTB it sold like pork in a Kibutz and was canned in ’79, returning two years later as the Jalpa with a shell mildly updated by
Bertone and a V8 stretched to 3.5 litres. Number built 462 Price at launch £13,684 Value now £35,000 Engine 2996cc 16v V8, 260bhp @ 7500rpm, 201lb ft @ 5750rpm Stats 6.5sec 0-62mph, 155mph
Gallardo 2003-date
The first ‘Audi era’ Lamborghini
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Developed from Lamborghini’s 1963 350 GTV concept, the production GT stuck with the front-mounted V12 formula but ditched Scaglione’s lovely pop-up lamps for a pair of TVs for headlamps. Engine grew to 3.9 litres and 320bhp for the 400 GT that followed in 1965. There was even
The first Lamborghini roadster
The uniquely wedge-shaped supercar
First fruit of Audi’s ’98 takeover, Murcielago still used a tubular steel spaceframe, but clothed in carbon panels. Engine stretched to 6.2 litres and joined by a paddle-shift E-gear option for 2003. 2006 facelift bumped power to 631bhp, but wildest was 2009’s SV, a 100kg lighter, 30bhp
The first production road car
Silhouette/Jalpa 1977-1988
Countach 1974-1989
Another Gandini design, Countach looked like a concept car with a tax disc, borrowing scissor doors from earlier Bertone Carabo show car. Early LP400 is most valuable. LP400S from 1978 got flared arches to cover state-of-the-art Pirelli P7 rubber, 1982’s LP500s received a 4.8-litre V12,
350 GT/400 GT 1964-1968
The baby sports car that sired Audi’s R8 stronger goodbye to Lambo’s past. Number built 4099 Price at launch 161,000 Value now £75,000 Engine 6192cc 48v V12, 572bhp @ 7500rpm, 479lb ft @ 5400rpm Stats 3.6sec 0-62mph, 205mph
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First baby Lambo for 15 years had an aluminium spaceframe and outpointed its Ferrari 360 rival with 500bhp V10 power and four-wheel drive. A decade on, a 59bhp power boost and two facelifts later, it’s still with us, via special editions, a Scuderia-style Superleggera, and two-wheel drive versions.
Spawned Audi’s first supercar, the R8. Number built 13,000+ to date Price at launch £115,198 Value now £65,000 Engine 4961cc 40v V10, 493bhp @ 7800rpm, 376lb ft @ 4500rpm Stats 4.2sec 0-62mph, 196mph
5 0 y e a r s o f lamb o r g h i n i
A history in 14 cars
Miura 1967-1973
Islero 1968-1970
The mid-engined game-changer A dramatic departure from gentlemanly GT cars, the mid-engined Miura made its debut as a bare chassis, gaining its curvaceous body a year later. Improved Miura S got stiffer chassis and 20bhp hike in ’69, but most desirable is the final SV, or Super Veloce. Spot it by its fat rear tyres, fatter
The unpopular GT update arches and lack of headlamp eyebrows Number built 765 Price at launch £6425 Value now £350,000 Engine 3939cc 24v V12, 350bhp @ 7000rpm, 272lb ft @ 5100rpm Stats 6.7sec 0-62mph, 174mph
The Ferrari Dino rival
The Espada-based 2+2
Wallace’s one-off 400bhp street racer. Number built 326 Price at launch £9800 Value now £50,000 Engine 3939cc 24v V12, 350bhp @ 7500rpm, 290lb ft @ 5500rpm Stats 6.8sec 0-62mph, 162mph
LM002 1986-1992
comply with Italian tax laws Number built 776 Price at launch £5950 Value now £20,000 Engine 2463cc 16v V8, 220bhp @ 7500rpm, 166lb ft @ 5750rpm Stats 6.9sec 0-62mph, 149mph
The Countach for the 1990s concept hints at a true successor. Number built 301 Price at launch £60,000 Value now £100,000 Engine 5167cc 48v V12, 450bhp @ 6800rpm, 369lb ft @ 4500rpm Stats 7.8sec 0-62mph, 130mph
Reventon 2007-2008
Long overdue Countach replacement first Lambo to crack 200mph. Originally styled by Gandini, but tweaked by new owners Chrysler. Under-developed early cars tortured drivers with heavy steering and clutch; more refined 4wd VT much better. Rare lightweight GT was toughest; ’99’s VT 6.0 a stop-gap
while Audi readied its Murcielago successor. Number built 2884 Price at launch £155,000 Value now £70,000 Engine 5707cc 48v V12, 485bhp @ 7000rpm, 428lb ft @ 5200rpm Stats 4.1sec 0-62mph, 204mph
Aventador 2011-date
The super-rare €1m carbon hypercar Looked like a Murcielago, but cost four times as much. Why? It featured carbonfibre panels styled like an F22 Raptor fighter plane, instruments that might have come from the same place and a mighty 10bhp injection, plus the promise of exclusivity – only 20 were built at €1m
Lambo’s rival to Ferrari’s baby Dino had two more cylinders and two more seats, plus timely wedge-shaped lines. First cars were called P250, a reference to the V8’s capacity, later P300s gaining an additional 500cc and chain-driven cams. Rarest is the 2.0 P200, a 182bhp weakling built to
Diablo 1990-2000
The ‘military’ off-roader
Born from an aborted attempt to build a military off-roader in the 1970s, the closest the brutish LM came to combat was as a ride for tough guys like Mike Tyson and Sylvester Stallone. Countach V12 up front made it precursor to current AMG and M-fettled SUVs; Lamborghini’s own Urus
trickle and the car was quickly killed off. Number built 250 Price at launch £7950 Value now £85,000 Engine 3939cc 24v V12, 320bhp @ 6500rpm, 276lb ft @ 4500rpm Stats 6.2sec 0-62mph, 154mph
Uracco 1972-1979
Jarama 1970-1976 Based on an Espada chassis shortened 270mm by Bertone, 2+2 Jarama was clothed in a Gandini-designed suit made real by ex-Touring man Marazzi. Power was up to 365bhp and weight down by 100kg for improved Jarama S from 1972, but sales were slow. Most valuable is test driver Bob
Short-lived update of 400 GT was a handsome car, if disappointingly reserved after jaw-dropping Miura. Like that supercar, this 2+2 was named after a fighting bull. Islero S from ’69 brought arch lips, an extra 30bhp and an improvement to reportedly woeful build quality, but sales remained a
The Lamborghini of the moment (plus taxes) a pop. Number built 20, plus 15 roadsters Price at launch £800,000 Value now £1m Engine 6496cc 48v V12, 641bhp @ 8000rpm, 487lb ft @ 6000rpm Stats 3.4sec 0-62mph, 211mph
Looks like a simple evolution of Murcielago, but is radically different under the skin with a carbon monocell, pushrod suspension and a brand new V12. One-off Aventador J speedster sold for €1.3m, making 2013’s production roadster look like a snip a at £285k.
Number built 1500+ to date Price at launch £242,000 Value now £280,000 Engine 6498cc 48v V12, 690bhp @ 8250rpm, 509lb ft @ 5500rpm Stats 2.9sec 0-62mph, 217mph
CAR has landed on the ipad! download the app now at apple newsstand
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Aventador Roadster unleashed
How to look good topless at 50 Lamborghini’s 50th birthday present to itself? The Aventador Roadster. We drive the bunga-bunga party on wheels words: Chris Chilton photography: Greg Pajo
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German touring car New 320d Touring takes on its closest rivals. All promise space, brilliant economy and an 106
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giant test
Wagons! 3-series vs C-class vs A4
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Photography: G F Williams
engaging drive, but which of them truly delivers? We find out march 2013 I CARMAGAZINE.co.uk
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motorsport
Disability vs Dakar
Dakar 2013
The Paralympics doesn’t do motorsport. But if it did, you’d back this team of injured soldiers to take gold Words: Ben Barry
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Photography: DPPI/Land Rover
Above: Wildcats create their own desert storm. Right: Justin Birchall and (nearest the camera) Tom Neathway prepare to take on the Dakar rally
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he Dakar rally is the world’s hardest race: for 15 days and over 5000 miles, teams tackle some of the most hostile terrain on earth in a Mad Max trilogy’s worth of cars, motorbikes and trucks. Simply getting to the startline requires testicles the size of basketballs. Yet on this year’s rally one team stood out beyond the rest: Race2Recovery, a squad of injured servicemen and able-bodied volunteers who took on the deserts and mountain ranges of South America – the Dakar moved from its original African base a few years back – in four Land Rover Defender-inspired Qt Wildcats. Some of Race2Recovery’s drivers and co-drivers had lost limbs while on duty in Afghanistan; many had stared death in the face, but their appetite for adrenaline still burned inside. They could never just sit and watch TV. Tony Harris is a founding member and describes pelting over sand dunes as ‘the most liberating feeling. ‘You don’t4
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