MOTOR SHOW2011 LA

News, views and the best new metal from the Los Angeles show 8

8-PAGE SPECIAL

40

30

COVER STORY

Steve Sutcliffe drives the all-new 3-series

First drive: Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series

‘Today I drove what I reckon is the best Ford I’ve been in — the new Focus Zetec-S Steve Cropley p23

48

56 Renault Frendzy MPV concept

THIS WEEK

California dreaming

NEWS Subaru BRZ Concept ST STI version to follow? 8 LA show report Cadillac XTS, Merc ML63 AMG 10 LA show report Ford Flex, Hyundai Azera 12 A1 Sportback Five-door supermini revealed 17 Porsche911cabrioletRefined rag-top unveiled19 Ferrari California Revised convertible spied 21 Rear-drive Gallardo SpyderOne for purists 20

TESTED Mercedes C63AMGBlackSeriesImpressive 30 SeatMii Spanish firm’s take on VW’s Up city car 33 HondaCR-V2.4 i-VTEC Roomy next-gen SUV 35 Jaguar XKR-S convertible Super-fast soft-top 37 Ford Focus Zetec-S Pleasing lukewarm hatch 37 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMGRapid roadster 39 Lexus GS250FSportV6 petrol exec saloon 39 VauxhallAstraGTCROADTEST 60

FEATURES BMW3-seriesBMW’s crucial new saloon driven40 Audi Q3vsEvoqueandKugaSUVs appraised48 Renault Frendzy Family-friendly concept 56

EVERYWEEK Hilton Holloway A life of luxury at the LA show 14 Steve Cropley Upsetting the authorities 23 Steve Sutcliffe Inside info on the new 3-series 25 Alan Henry Inside McLaren’s supercar factory 27 Mail Motorway speed limits put to the test 68

EXTRA

Buyingusednews

JamesRuppert

Buyingused

Ourcars

Buyingnew

NewcarsA-Z

Roadtestresults

Carsforsale

RichardBremner

72

73

74

76

83

84

101

105

114

74

60 Road test: Vauxhall Astra GTC

Audi Q3 meets Range Rover Evoque and Ford Kuga rivals

Used buying guide: Alfa Romeo 159

23 NOVEMBER 2011 WWW.AUTOCAR.CO.UK 5