Everything you need to know about cars this week – 31/01/16

When do we get it? It'll be unveiled in Geneva, going on sale later this year.

What we say: "So you can expect a more highly tuned version of that raucous 5.0-litre, supercharged V8 on board, producing more than the current R’s 550bhp - around 570bhp, matching the Project 7 - along with more torque, and – we suspect – a 0-60mph time that dips into the high threes..."

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When do we get it? Now.

What we say: "Alpina claims 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and on to a max of 170mph. Because of the long gearing and gentle delivery it never feels that accelerative, but as a disguiser of speed it’s largely unparalleled.

"And I know, 170mph isn’t that fast in a world where a Civic Type-R can do 167mph, but as I said, people aren’t putting the effort into diesel any more.

"Still, it’s got sweet steering and nice balance to the handling. It’s not aggressive, but it’s assertive and confident..."

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When do we get it? It's available to order now, with the first cars arriving February 2016.

What we say: "It’s not unpleasant to drive – the steering is sharp and darty, and the turning circle is faintly ridiculous – but it’s not a thing for blatting down a country lane. Fun in town, though. There’s adequate punch from a standstill, even if the (lumpy) start/stop takes a split-second too long to restart the engine, and its size makes for swift progress through little gaps..."

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When do we get it? It debuts at the Geneva Motor Show, and first deliveries are expected later this year.

What we say: "The sonorous flat-sixes of old have been trashed for a pair of all-new, quite parsimonious blown four-cylinder jobs, 2.0-litres in the standard 718 Boxster and 2.5-litres in the S. But what they lack in cubic capacity, they more than make up for with added oomph. A standard Boxster now makes 296bhp, where once it made 261, and the S has been upped to 345bhp from 311..."

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When do we get it? Now.

What we say: "The RC is an ace looking thing, and its interior is very swish. Go for sporty F Sport trim and you get motorised dials like in the LFA supercar, while the whole car exhibits welcome quirkiness in a strait-laced posh car market. And while it’s not brimming with feedback and feel, it’s still a pleasant thing to drive and it cossets and comforts in a way a 4-Series will struggle to..."

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When do we get it? Now.

What we say: "It does drive quite a bit smaller than you’d think from its exterior dimensions. It will still push on tight corners, but there is a fluidity and smoothness to the whole thing that makes the car feel strong and solid. You wouldn’t wake up in the middle of the night wanting to take it to the canyons, but you equally wouldn’t mind having to do a 500-mile drive in it at anytime..."

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When do we get it? Um, 2017, if all goes to plan.

What we say: "It goes on to say that the new law allows small companies to meet Clean Air Act standards by installing an engine and emissions equipment produced by another – say GM or Ford. DMC says it has been working “for some time” to procure an engine supplier and other parts, and are aiming for a small production run of around 300 cars in 2017..."

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When do we get it? Now.

What we say: "The handling remains terrific, the ride is fine. The only debit is an unprogressive brake pedal as the effort is shuffled between regeneration and friction. The cabin isn’t as gorgeously appointed as a new A4 or C-class, mind, but the same applies to any 3-series these days..."

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When do we get it? Now.

What we say: "Spoiler alert! This unsexy people carrier isn’t as much fun as a low-slung, carbon-bodied, scissor-doored, £100k sports car. But line it up against rivals in MPV-Land and it’s quite remarkably dynamically competent..."

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When do we get it? Now.

What we say: "Launching to 62mph takes 7.7 seconds, or 7.6 if you’ve got the very slightly lighter hatchback rather than the wagon. So yes, it’s brisk rather than outright quick, but you’ll still be able to see off a Toyota GT86 on a rainy day. Simple pleasures. Top speed falls 2mph to 142mph. So if you commute by the autobahn, bear that in mind. You’ll be quicker down the sliproad, but ultimately slower. How’s that for consumer advice?"

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