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‘He survived this deadly career only to be confused for a boar and shot’

Issue 6427 | Volume 305 | No 11

NEWS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class High-tech l imo here in 2021 6 Two new VW Golfs Mk8 Estate and Alltrack revealed 10 Range Rover EV, Jaguar XJ Delayed by pandemic 13 Land Rover Defender PHEV 27 miles on electricity 14 Hydrogen power Viable battery-electric alternative? 16

TESTED

Volkswagen ID 4 Early drive of crucial electric SUV 20 Eagle Lightweight GT E-Type embraces 2020 tech 22 Jeep Renegade 4xe Plug-in hybrid SUVappraised 24 Audi E-tron Sportback Rakish Jag I-Pace rival rated 25 Audi A5 Coupé New 188bhp mild hybrid on UK roads 27 Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi 48V IMT Frugal, world-first tech 27 BMW X7 xDrive M50i M Performance ROAD TEST 28

FEATURES Future of the supercar How we think they’ll evolve 36 How to fix JLR Cropley’s open letter to i ts new CEO 44 Fastest 50 cars Quickest road test laps in history 48 Formula 1 track list Your guide to new 2020 circuits 57

OUR CARS Toyota GR Supra Newcomer has something to prove 62 Volvo S60 Performance car or fuel sipper – or both? 63 Vauxhall Corsa-e Range test goes down to the wire 65

EVERY WEEK Jesse Crosse ALKS driver aid technology unpicked 15 Jim Holder Why luxury city cars could be a thing 17 Steve Cropley 1957 Autocar road test car for sale 19 Subscribe Save money and get exclusive benefits 26 Damien Smith What the rest of the F 1 season holds 54 Motorsport round-up BTCC, Le Mans, F1, Goodwood 55 Your Views Taycan, E-tron, Honda E , hydrogen, T50 60 Matt Prior Sorry about the weight. Plus EV charging 82

DEALS

James Ruppert Used buys that beat a PCP handout 66 As good as new Current-shape Jag XF Sportbrake 69 Spied in the classifieds £26k Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen 70 Used buying guide 1980s Jag XJ? Really? You bet 72 New cars A-Z Key car stats , from Abarth to Zenos 74 Road test index Track down that road test here 81

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THIS WEEK

PREDICTING THE FUTURE OF THE SUPERCAR 36

A TOUR OF F1’S FIVE SUPER NEW TRACKS 57

BIGGEST BMW YET UNDER THE MICROSCOPE 28

COVER STORY

❝YOU WILL COMMAND A LOT OF ATTENTION AND WE HOPE YOU WILL USE IT❞

WE PEN AN OPEN LETTER TO NEW JAGUAR LAND ROVER BOSS THIERRY BOLLORE 44

MERCEDES REVEALS ITS NEW FLAGSHIP 6

COMMENT

SWIFT DECISION MAKING IS OF REAL BENEFIT TO F1

BACK IN JANUARY, the prospect of the 2020 Formula 1 calendar featuring races at circuits such as Mugello and Istanbul Park would have seemed preposterous. Yet, in the wake of the pandemic, F1 bosses have hastily compiled a schedule (see p57) that’s refreshing and exciting. The coronavirus has forced such improvisation elsewhere, including other sports, businesses and schools (just don’t mention the algorithm…), but it has been remarkable to see F1 – which, thanks to bureaucracy and politics, is usually as nimble as this year’s Ferrari – react so quickly and effectively. And not just with the calendar: since lockdown, it has also finally implemented a cost cap, a longdebated and vital step for survival.

It also quickly agreed to delay the new regulations until 2022 – a sound business move, although less welcome among the fans wanting better racing.

Still, compare that with the laboured process by which those rules were decided on in the first place. Then imagine what F1 could achieve if it applied such a reactive approach – as favoured by internet firms and start-up companies – in normal times.

I’m not suggesting F1 should pull together a calendar at the last minute every year or change rules on a whim. But perhaps a sport that prides itself on speed on track should consider the benefits of applying that trait elsewhere. James Attwood Deputy editor james.attwood@haymarket.com

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9 SEPTEMBER 2020 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5