Car September 2015.pdf

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Audi A3 cabriolet Drop-top flip-flop slip-slop load of plop? With the roof up, other than a bit more road/wind noise, you’d never know you were in a cabrio, and the cabin is coolly styled and made with precision. The only shudders come from your cold arse – no standard heated seats. Vauxhall Cascada Elite Drop-top flip-flop slip-slop load of plop? Creaking like an arthritic octagenarian getting out of their wingback, Vauxhall’s usual solid build quality has literally been pulled apart at the seams. Every panel joins in the cacophony, and the wing mirrors flop like Dumbo’s ears. More refined than many tin-tops. Still corners like an A3 though More creaks in here than on a map of Australia. Twists like Chubby Checker Hacking about or a fine drive down the middle? The 1.4 TFSI engine needs a good poke at the top end to garner any performance and it makes a noise as beefy as an electric toothbrush. But it steers and corners like a standard A3, which isn’t orgasmcially exciting, but does the job. Do we still need Derek’s Saab estate? Yes. You’ll never take the garden rubbish to the tip in this finely leathered cabin, but it’s just about a four-seater and the boot is okay, if nothing on the Vauxhall’s deep swallow. Cylinder on demand makes it by far the most efficient too. Verdict Roof down driving should be easygoing, indulgent, and if you’re going to be seen, make sure they’re a bit envious too. The A3 delivers everything you could want in a convertible. Hacking about or a fine drive down the middle? With the structural rigidity of rice pudding skin, it has nervous breakdowns on rough roads and delivers steering weight that varies on how the chassis twists. But the excellent engine is powerful, fruity and responsive and it’s a comfortable cruiser if strolling along. Do we still need Derek’s Saab estate? Easily the most commodious of the cars here, with a deep boot and big comfy chairs, and lots of kit as standard such as heated leather, dual-zone climate control, and HiPER front struts from an Insignia VXR. For what, we’re not sure. Verdict Heard the pub bore say ‘there’s no such thing as a bad car these days’? Well, he’s probably not driven a Cascada. Size and power can’t make up for its rattly, pricey shortcomings. AUDI A3 CABRIOLET S LINE 1.4 TFSI COD 150 Price £28,990 > Engine 1395cc 16v turbo 4-cyl, 147bhp @ 5000rpm, 182lb ft @ 1500rpm > Gearbox Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive > Performance 8.9sec 0-62mph, 138mph, 55.4mpg, 122g/km > Weight 1365kg > On sale Now > Rating ★ ★ ★ ★ VAUXHALL CASCADA ELITE 1.6T WINNER > Price £28,715 > Engine 1598cc 16v turbo 4-cyl, 196bhp @ 5500rpm, 207lb ft @ 1650- 3000rpm > Gearbox Six-speed manual, frontwheel drive > Performance 8.2sec 0-62mph, 146mph, 41.5mpg, 158g/km > Weight 1658kg > On sale Now > Rating ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ <strong>September</strong> 2015 | SUBSCRIBE & SAVE UP TO 66%! GREATMAGAZINES.CO.UK/CAR 49
1 McLaren P1 GTR The most exhilarating British car yet created? This is it, the state of the hybrid hypercar art – built in Woking, thrashed by Martin Brundle Words Ben Miller | Photography Charlie Magee Magee 116 CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK | <strong>September</strong> 2015
Page 1 and 2: 9 cars tested, starring Jaguar XF,
Page 3 and 4: UP AGAINST BETTER THAN BMW 5-series
Page 5 and 6: Who offers the best sky bundle? BMW
Page 7: CONTINUED… Volkswagen Golf cabrio
Page 11 and 12: ‘I remember when all this was gea
Page 13 and 14: P1 GTR owners will get the full sup

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