Autocar magazine 29 October preview

This week’s issue of Autocar magazine, dated 29 October, reveals the latest news on the next Land Rover Defender, which is set to arrive in 2016.

According to company sources, the eagerly anticipated new Defender will be the most capable Land Rover ever built, and this issue’s news special reveals that there’s also a radical new Range Rover on the way too.

Elsewhere, Renault is bucking the city car trend with its new Twingo, adopting a rear-wheel-drive set-up and some clever packaging ideas.

The 1992 Twingo was a bold, characterful and utterly distinctive urban runabout of simplicity, compactness, value and abundant flair. The second-generation Twingo should have built on its predecessor’s success but it never hit the sales heights of the Mk1. 

Our experienced road testers assess every facet of the Mk3 model, from ride and handling to interior space and from visibility to fuel economy, to determine how it will fare against it’s city car rivals.

It’s been the better part of two decades since Williams last lifted a Formula 1 world championship, but the Oxfordshire-based team is currently enjoying its most competitive season in ages, lying third in the constructors’ points standings.

Claire Williams, daughter of team founder Sir Frank, is now in charge of the day-to-day operation of the company, which has expanded its scope beyond racing into advanced car engineering. Steve Cropley talks to her about the company’s return to F1 competitiveness and its aims beyond the race track.

Autocar’s in-house light-footed economy expert Tim Dickson recently took part in the MPG Marathon at the wheel of a Honda 1.6 i-DTEC Civic. He recounts his experiences in this week’s issue. 

We also get our first chance to assess the revamped Audi A6. Ingolstadt’s executive challenger has new looks and a more frugal engine. Other key first drives include the new Mercedes-Benz B-class, Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid and revised Nissan 370Z Nismo.

There’s an update on our long-term test fleet’s Nissan Qashqai, which has now racked up more than 19,000 miles and has recently been pressed into service on two continental trips.

BMW’s ‘E30’ 318iS is an affordable, enjoyable slice of 1980s rear-drive action, and this week’s used buying guide offers hints and tips on sourcing a cared-for example for around £2500.

Autocar magazine is available through all good newsagents, and available for download from Zinio and the Apple iTunes store.

You can also buy one-off copies of Autocar magazine from Newsstand, delivered to your door the morning after.