First Drive

Mercedes-Benz E 220 CDI SE

Sheer quality, fine cabin design, massive internal space and impressive detailing mean it has few really direct rivals

4 May 2011
Mercedes-Benz E 220 CDI SE
Porsche Boxster E
Officially, the new two-seater is just a prototype
First Drive

Porsche Boxster E

Remarkably complete and compelling to drive. The future for Porsche begins here

3 May 2011
Porsche Boxster E
Lamborghini Aventador
The Aventador is the long awaited replacement for Lamborghini’s legendary Murcielago
First Drive

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 2011 first drive

Lamborghini's all-new V12 hypercar is a very different beast to the Murcielago

27 April 2011
Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 2011 first drive
Mini Cooper SD
The Cooper SD has more torque than any other Mini in the range
First Drive

Mini Cooper SD

This is the most entertaining oil-burning Mini to join the range. That it’s so frugal is a bonus

25 April 2011
Mini Cooper SD
First Drive

BMW 1 Series M Coupé 2011 first drive

With a turbocharged engine and a £40k price, the 1-series M Coupé is unlike anything else from BMW’s M division.

22 April 2011
BMW 1 Series M Coupé 2011 first drive
First Drive

Mini Countryman SD All4

The Countryman has gained the engine it has been crying out for, with enough torque to deal with its extra weight and decent fuel economy, too.

22 April 2011
Mini Countryman SD All4
First Drive

Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi

The most convincing diesel Astra yet — but it’s not as refined as a Golf BlueMotion

20 April 2011
Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi
First Drive

Ford Focus 1.6 Ecoboost Titanium

No longer the default choice for those wanting entertainment in a family motor, but does feature huge improvement in running costs and cabin finish

20 April 2011
Ford Focus 1.6 Ecoboost Titanium
First Drive

Mercedes-Benz CLS 250 CDI

Same lovely cabin and refinement as six-pot CLSs, with even lower running costs

20 April 2011
Mercedes-Benz CLS 250 CDI
MG 3 1.5L
Tested here is a 1.5-litre automated manual with optional two-tone paint
First Drive

MG 3 1.5L supermini first drive

Shows signs of dynamic promise but lacks sophistication, especially in the cabin

20 April 2011
MG 3 1.5L supermini first drive
First Drive

Aston Martin Virage Volante

The open-top version of Aston’s new GT suffers few compromises compared with coupé

17 April 2011
Aston Martin Virage Volante
First Drive

Volkswagen Phaeton 6.0 W12

Facelift hasn’t stopped the Phaeton feeling irrelevant and out of date

15 April 2011
Volkswagen Phaeton 6.0 W12

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