Headline:
Autocar Road Test Yearbook 2001
Date:
19/12/2001
Source:
(Click
Here
for more details).
Issue:
2001-51 (19/26 December 2001) (p. 97 - 137)
(Click
Here
for more stories from this issue).
Review:
66 new cars driven and rated
Featuring (in alphabetical order):
Alpina D10 biturbo
(4/5) - dark reg: Y274 DRC
A performance diesel revelation that is as civilised as it is potent and economical.
Audi A4 1.8T SE
(4/5) - silver reg: OU51 AEX
Another interior and build victory for the A4, matched here by a competitive engine.
BMW 318i SE
(4/5) - black reg: R051 NYL
Still the best enthusiast's car in the class: the Valvetronic engine is refined and eager/
BMW 530i sport
(5/5) - silver reg: X407 DBL
Revisions help the Five hold onto its place as the best executive saloon around.
BMW 745i
(5/5) - grey
Superb dynamics from masterpiece of high-tech. Styling not to all tastes, through.
Jaguar X-type 2.5 Sport
(4/5) - silver reg: X400 AWD
Baby Jag impressed with its ride, handling and steering . Shame about that interior.
Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport
(4/5) - silver reg: X400 AWD
3.0 Sport not quite good-looking or refined enough to threaten the new 330i.
Lexus IS300
(3/5) - red reg: GU51 YXK
Wonderful build quality and equipment but can't match German rivals dynamically.
Lexus LS430
(4/5) - silver reg: X309 CCD
Fine value for money but left behind by Mercedes' peerless S-class.
Mercedes C200 Kompressor
(4/5) black reg: Y49 TRP
Performance, economy and class combine in yet another superb junior Mercedes.
Mercedes C32 AMG
(4/5) black reg: Y947 YBO
Saturated with power and grip, the AMG's a supercar playing at being a saloon.
Mitsubishi Evo VII Extreme
(4/5) black/silver reg:T1 RBO
For outrageous pace, the Evo Extreme is for you, it'll even humble the mighty M3.
Skoda Octavia RS
(4/5) red reg: Y81 RVV
Star performer that caught us by suprise; the handling is as sharp as the engine.
Subaru Impreza WRX
(4/5) silver reg: X585 KOE
There's even more to the talented Impreza range than the firebrand head-line cars.
Cars:
Audi A4 1.8T SE (2 (01-))
BMW 7 series 745i (E65 (02-))
Jaguar X type 2.5 sport (0)
Lexus LS 430 (3 (00 - 11/03))
Mercedes C class C32 AMG (203 (00 - ))
Jaguar X type 3.0 sport (1)
Alpina D10 Bi Turbo (E39 (96-03))
Skoda Octavia RS (1)
BMW 5 series 530i sport (E39 (96-03))
Lexus IS 300 (0)
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII extreme (VII)
Subaru Impreza WRX (5 (02 - 03))
BMW 3 series 318i (E46 (98-))
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