Cars

Improving on Perfection  Hot hatch aficionado Marcie Andrews thought things couldn’t get any better than her MINI John Cooper Works. Until she upgraded to her partner’s old RS3, that is… Words Sam Preston. Photography Adam Walker.

Coming from a heavily modified S3, it’s no surprise that Mark Reilly was initially a little underwhelmed with his bone-stock RS3. Lucky it didn’t stay that way for very long then. Words Tom Willcox. Photography Adam Walker.

Runnin’ in the family Connor Bone S1 The compact machine punching above its weight. With his parents owning a string of hot VAG metal through the years, it’s little wonder Connor Bone has followed the family tradition with this extremely well-sorted S1 of his own… Words Tom Willcox. Photography Adam Walker.

The one with all the answers When you have a brand-new Ferrari as your weekend toy, what could possibly be a worthy match when it comes to your reliable, everyday run-around? Josh Malone here thinks he’s found the answer with his 730bhp Stage 2 RS6… Words Sam Preston. Photography Adam Walker.

The original. These days we’re used to seeing bigpower super-estates, but back in the early ’90s, the RS2 was a revelation – and it can still hold its own today. Here’s why it’s so special…Words Jamie Arkle. Photography Davy Lewis.

Man & Machine Not so risky business Bremont co-founder Giles English loves his super-reliable daily-driven Porsche 928 S2. Words and photography Paul Hardiman.

The poor relation? With prices of the E83 X3 – BMW’s unloved four-wheel-drive soft-roader – at an all-time low, Chris Graham discovers whether it’s now worth a punt.

Given that I’m writing this during the run-up to Christmas, I suppose I should be full of peace and goodwill to all mankind, but I’m afraid I’m not. This is, in part, thanks to using our wonderful public transport system several times this week and, if anyone who’s reading this has the misfortune to commute into central London on a daily basis, I can only say that you have my deepest sympathy. I’d also wager you have the patience of a saint.

Bob Harper investigates the history of one of BMW’s first concept cars of the modern age – the mid-engined Turbo – that featured many systems that we all now take for granted in our BMWs. Photography: BMW Group Archive.

Jaguar XJ220 examined we compare original concept with road car. We study the original 1988 concept against a pre-production road car, spotting all the detail changes between the two XJ220. Words: Ian Seabrook. Pics: Matt Richardson.

“The familiar 911 traits of adjustability thanks to its rear-mounted engine are clear” 992 first drive We get in the newest generation of 911 and pit the S and 4S against one another on track Drive-My is one of the first to get behind the wheel of the new 992 with a Carrera S vs 4S track test Written by Kyle Fortune. Photography by Richard Pardon.

The Collector Meet Neville Brown, owner of some of the wildest Mercedes tuner specials that you’ll ever see ‘The thrill is in the chasing down of unobtainium’ A fixation with overt German tuner specials means a never-ending hunt for obscure spare parts. Neville Brown has made that his lifeblood. Words Richard Mason. Photography Charlie Magee.