ROAD 16: Three of the Best

Welcome to the July issue of Road Magazine – where we are celebrating three of the best press cars we’ve test driven in recent months.

Firstly, there’s the brand spanking new Lotus Evora V6 IPS – the first two-pedal automatic Lotus since 1986, opening the evocative and beautiful Evora to a truly global audience, particularly in America and Asia. Technology has moved on tremendously in the 25 years since the last Lotus auto, and the clever IPS’ twin clutch, “shift by wire” system is one of the best we’ve ever tested – making the most of the 280PS, 350Nm 3.5-litre V6 engine and amazing Evora chassis.

Then there’s the surprising Mitsubishi Ralliart Colt – perhaps the best handling front-wheel-drive car on the market? Its turbocharged 1.5-litre engine – offering 147bhp and 155lb ft and 0-60mph in 7.4s and 131mph – is a hoot, and the Ralliart suspension tweaks make this quirky looking little car so much fun to drive. And it’s a bargain at £13,949.

Finally there’s the gorgeous, stylish, swift and economical VW VW Scirocco TDi – arguably the perfect daily driver? And not so shabby on track too, as we discovered at Cadwell Park.

We had fun, we hope you enjoy reading about it.