Thread: Autocar magazine 5 December preview

New BMW 4-series coupe and new Audi RS6 revealed; new Maserati Quattroporte and Toyota Auris driven; new Aston DB9 tested against its rivals; used Seat Leon and Vauxhall Corsa buying tipsThe new BMW 4-series coupe heads up this weeks Autocar magazine, with the full story and first pictures revealed, plus Julian Rendells take on why the name had to change from BMW 3-series coupe and Steve Sutcliffe revealing his personal recipe for the perfect M4, which is set to follow.
Other news highlights include full details of the new 190mph Audi RS6, with its supercar-baiting power and torque figures, and an exclusive story on British manufacturer Caterhams ambitions to expand dramatically.
Our Los Angeles motor show coverage gives the inside line on the new Porsche Cayman, with Matt Prior revealing why it will never be allowed to challenge the Porsche 911, plus full details on the new Toyota Rav4, and every other show star.
In our drives section Steve Cropley reviews the new Maserati Quattroporte, Matt Saunders delivers an exclusive first drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Richard Bremner tests the new Toyota Auris. The well priced but ultimately uninspiring Skoda Rapid is the subject of our in-depth road test.
Updates on our long-term test fleet include a farewell to our Renault Grand Scenic, plus latest news on our Subaru XV, Chevrolet Volt, Ginetta G40R and Mazda CX-5.
The new Aston DB9 is pitted against the Bentley Continental GT and Ferrari California in a high-thrills test, while Kia president Hank Lee reveals his plans to turn the Korean manufacturer in to a VW rival. Meanwhile, Steve Cropley visits Hingham to learn about Caterhams global ambitions, and Andrew Frankel takes the closest thing Renault has previously built to a Caterham – the Renault Sport Spider – and rediscovers its shortfalls.
James Ruppert champions the Seat Leon, arguing that a 800 ten-year old model is worth a punt, and a 2005 Seat Leon Cupra R at 6000 is a bargain, while we also give the lowdown on buying a quality used Vauxhall Corsa from as little as 2500.
As ever, the magazine is available from all good newsagents, or available for download from Zinio or the Apple iTunes store.