Autocar magazine 29 July - on sale now

This week: JLR’s hydrogen research project scooped, Porsche Taycan road test, how to be a better driver and much more

An exclusive from Jaguar Land Rover this week: the British firm is embarking on a serious hydrogen power research project to develop fuel cell-powered versions of its bigger vehicles.

Although not guaranteed to be successful, ‘Project Zeus’ would most likely be ready for production use around the mid 2020s. Just in time for the next Range Rover Evoque…

This week’s Autocar has all the details.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Traditionalist fans of Audi’s sports and supercars could be in for disappointment, as the future of the combustion-engined R8 and TT is apparently uncertain.

Mercedes-Benz is planning to aggressively grow its range of electric cars - with an EQE SUV spotted undergoing testing for the first time. Elsewhere, the ex-Aston Martin and Tesla engineer Chris Porritt has joined Rimac.

Is the UK government’s proposed 2035 ICE ban in touch with the will of the people? In our analysis section, we share Autocar’ readers’ takes on the government’s plan for an EV-only future. Then, we find out why Nissan thinks its new electric SUV, the Ariya, is perfectly timed to rejuvenate the hard-hit Japanese firm, and Jim Holder asks why automotive collaborations usually end in tears.

-Reviews-

The new Honda E kicks off our drives section this week: the top-spec Advance version of Honda’s new electric supermini sets out to prove that it’s the future of zero-emissions urban motoring.

Then, we say hello to the new, third-generation Hyundai i20, driven here in the UK for the first time in not-quite-finished pre-production guise, and the Audi A3 saloon arrives with choice materials allied to competent dynamics. You should also hold that BMW 3 Series order until you’ve driven the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint, and we find out if the Kia Xceed entry-level model can make a more convincing case than its £30k range-mate.

It’s the turn of the 751bhp all-electric Porsche Taycan in the Autocar road test. Is this a proper Porsche sports car, as its maker claims? Finally, we wind back the clock to 2005. The Maserati Quattroporte wasn’t perfect - but it made us love it. Here’s how.

-Features-

We’re all desperate to get back on the open road, but it will be even more enjoyable if you prepare yourself and your car and plan ahead. In the first of this week’s features, Andrew Frankel tells you how to be a better driver.

Next, Steve Cropley visits Vauxhall’s old Luton HQ, Griffin House, to pay homage to what was once one of the world’s finest design studios, before penning an open letter of advice to new Aston Martin CEO Tobias Moers.

In our motorsport section, it’s a simple question: can Lewis Hamilton be stopped? Damien Smith weighs the case. Finally, we look at how the UK has resumed before the coronavirus pandemic is over and cast our eye over the contenders for this year’s BTCC champion title.

Opinions

Forget Titanic, forget Beauty and the Beast, forget all your usual films - this week, Steve Cropley was riveted by a drive-through movie of the Honda E, as part of the electric supermini’s UK launch. A spin in Vauxhall’s new Corsa-e revealed some interesting things about weather and EV range, but a Lego Blower Bentley was the week’s real highlight, though it needs your help to become an official Lego model. Elsewhere, Matt Prior ventures into the promising but vexing world of lane-keeping systems.

-Deals-

Used versions of the most popular new cars make top buys, says James Ruppert, our high priest of Bangernomics. And it’s hard to go wrong with a Corsa. In our used guide, Felix Page goes back in time to the SLS supercar of 2010-2014 which was the first bespoke model produced by Mercedes-AMG. Mark Pearson explains how you can get a well-preserved version of Audi’s supercar for just £70k in our nearly new guide.

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