Autocar magazine 30 January - on sale now

This week: The radical new Jaguar on track to reinvent the XE and XF, 60 years of Mini special, new Mazda 3 driven, Suzuki Jimny buying guide and more...

The cover star of this week’s issue is the next-generation Jaguar saloon, which is set to replace the XE and XF according to new reports from inside the carmaker. Options being explored include merging the two model lines into one, with hybrid and electric powertrains both up for consideration. Our exclusive render gives an idea of what the new model could look like.

Elsewhere, Renault is looking to add more premium appeal to the fifth-generation Clio, with the first official images revealing both interior and exterior ahead of its launch at the Geneva motor show in March. The best-selling supermini is Renault’s most popular model, and with an all-new platform, it has much to do to impress.

Other news includes details on Cupra’s second model, set to be an all-new car rather than an evolution of an existing Seat model, and a 200mph supercar to rival the likes of Aston Martin from British brand Ginetta, while early spy shots show off the upcoming eighth-generation Golf GTI and new Rolls Royce Ghost for the first time.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Reviews

The all-new Mazda 3 made a big impression at last year’s Los Angeles motor show, and based on our first drive of a European-spec model on US roads this week, it looks set to receive even more good will when it goes on sale here later in the year. Dramatic styling and an improved interior are just some of the reasons why.

We also drive the Lamborghini Huaracan Evo on track to see if a raft of new chassis changes can make Lambo’s supercar even more of a spectacle to drive, test Kia’s warm shooting brake-styled Ceed GT to see if it’s as even half as dynamic as its i30 N hot hatch cousin, and drive Mercedes’ most affordable AMG yet, the A35, on UK roads for the first time.

Finally, the subject of this week’s road test is the Skoda Karoq Scout. The practical and comfortable compact SUV replaces the popular Yeti, so has to impress in all areas to earn praise from our road test team.

Features

It’s a Mini special this week, as we mark 60 years of the iconic British brand with a look back on the cars that made it so successful (and some mad concepts that didn’t quite hit the mark), hunt for the ten best used Minis you can buy today, and follow Mini’s motorsport journey all the way to this year’s punishing Dakar rally.

What does it take to earn the title of British takeaway delivery driver of the year? We found out from 82-year-old Brian Loughans, who braved blizzards and 100 mile round trips to earn the accolade.

The first electric Jaguar isn’t quite the company’s most popular model, but it’s made in the same factory as the one that is: the I-Pace EV and E-Pace SUV both originate from Graz in Austria. To find out how two very different cars can be built on the same production line, we took an E-Pace onto the continent for a road trip and tour of Magna Steyr’s facilities.

Opinions

This week sees Steve Cropley swapping into a four-cylinder Jaguar XE that’s perhaps not potent enough to see off the better-equipped German competition, but still provides plenty of reasons to consider making one your own. Other highlights include a surprise win for electricity at the What Car? Awards and a search for a concours star that’s not the usual head-turner, plus a potential plan for when he finally puts down his journalist’s notebook.

Matt Prior, meanwhile, can’t shake a nagging feeling after driving the eighth-generation 911 - a small, blue, French-shaped feeling that’s perhaps even more compelling than the iconic Porsche...

Deals

The Fiat 124 Spider might have been withdrawn from sale in the UK, but James Ruppert has been scouring dealer forecourts and discovered plenty of nearly-new models that could be a bargain for anyone searching for a convertible in time for the summer - and dug up some older Fiats that also fit the bill.

Our pick of the classifieds this week is the perennial office favourite, the Renaultsport Clio 182. At £3990 for a one-owner 2004 model with 84,000 miles, and all the usual suspects (cambelt, water pump, dephaser and auxiliary belt) changed by a Renault specialist, it looks like quite the bargain hot hatch.

If you’re more off-road than on-road, our used buying guide this week has the perfect choice: the Suzuki Jimny. Now that a new generation model has appeared, interest in the 20-year-old previous design has peaked, with prices ranging greatly depending on specification and whether the capable compact 4x4 has lived a tough life. We’ve covered all the danger areas to look out for so you can bag a good one.

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