While BMW didn鈥檛 bring the all-new 2020 3-Series Touring to this year鈥檚 Geneva Motor Show, the car is still likely to be unveiled sometime this year, giving the Bavarian automaker a technological upper hand in this segment. The new 3er Touring will be larger, more spacious, more technologically advanced and even more fun to drive compared to its predecessor. It will also feature a completely new rear window line that sweeps upwards toward the C-pillar. Sometimes, a little less camo can actually mean a lot. We knew to expect the 3-Series Touring to feature a new rear window line with a different take on the Hofmeister kink ever since we saw those patent images last year in October. However, prototypes were careful to hide that minor detail by using additional tape, until now that is. Same goes for the engine lineup, where a wide range of petrol and diesel options should be available upon launch. So for European buyers, expect a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot with two stages of tune: 184 PS and 258 PS; as well as a six-cylinder one, putting down 387 PS. The 2.0-liter diesels will produce 150 PS and 190 PS respectively, while the 3.0-liter one will have 265 PS. According to BMW product manager Stefan Horn, the 3-Series Touring will also get a 252 PS 330e plug-in hybrid version, with an additional 420 Nm of torque. The sedan model will use this hybrid system to run on electric power alone for up to 60 km, which means the wagon should be able to replicate that achievement.
The 2001 Porsche 911 is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2010 Porsche Cayman electric or gas? The 2010 Porsche Cayman is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2008 Porsche Boxster electric or gas? The 2008 Porsche Boxster is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2011 Porsche Panamera electric or gas? The 2011 Porsche Panamera is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2011 Porsche Boxster electric or gas? The 2011 Porsche Boxster is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2001 Porsche Boxster electric or gas? The 2001 Porsche Boxster is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2011 Porsche 911 electric or gas? The 2011 Porsche 911 is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2007 Porsche 911 electric or gas? The 2007 Porsche 911 is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2012 Porsche Cayman electric or gas? The 2012 Porsche Cayman is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2014 Porsche Boxster electric or gas? The 2014 Porsche Boxster is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2015 Porsche Macan electric or gas? The 2015 Porsche Macan is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2003 Porsche Boxster electric or gas? The 2003 Porsche Boxster is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2007 Porsche Boxster electric or gas? The 2007 Porsche Boxster is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2002 Porsche Boxster electric or gas? The 2002 Porsche Boxster is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2011 Porsche Cayman electric or gas? The 2011 Porsche Cayman is a gas-powered vehicle. Is the 2012 Porsche 911 electric or gas? The 2012 Porsche 911 is a gas-powered vehicle.
Its new 2.0-litre diesel is smoother, more refined and delivers good performance, while the infotainment is a big step up. It鈥檚 also well priced and affordable on finance. Extra practicality makes it easier to live with, while SE trim rides comfortably enough. And when all these attributes are combined, the C-Class takes the win. The XE loses out due to its packaging. It鈥檚 more cramped than the Mercedes, while its interior technology isn鈥檛 as advanced. The Jag is more agile and strikes the best balance between involvement and comfort, but the engine isn鈥檛 as tractable or as refined as that in the C-Class. While it鈥檚 the cheapest car here to buy, it鈥檚 also the least efficient, so will cost the most to run. If you鈥檙e after engaging handling, look no further than the Giulia. Its steering is super- sharp and the chassis can match it with good body control that doesn鈥檛 come at the expense of compliance. The engine is the most eager to rev, but you shatter refinement if you do, while the box isn鈥檛 as smooth as either rival鈥檚. It鈥檚 more practical than the Jag, but the infotainment is a letdown. There鈥檚 a new 3 Series coming early next year, and we鈥檝e driven it. Expect it to set the dynamic benchmark, while comfort and infotainment are also likely to be brilliant. It could go straight to the top of its class.
It鈥檚 also really spacious and feels more up to date than the Focus RS. The 4WD Focus RS offers something a bit different from the Honda, so there鈥檚 no shame in coming second. It鈥檚 still a bargain considering the huge performance on offer, and it鈥檚 nearly as accomplished as the Civic in terms of handling. The Ford falls behind a little on ride and in-car tech, but you can鈥檛 go wrong with either of these amazing hot hatches. The VW Golf R is still one of our favourite hot hatches, and thanks to its powerful turbo and 4WD, it鈥檚 nearly as fun to drive as our rivals here. It鈥檚 also more practical than either and easier to live with - just not as exciting. It has the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 4WD combination as the Focus and Golf, but the A 45 is much more powerful. Performance is incredible and the cabin feels upmarket, but it鈥檚 not as involving as its rivals and costs quite a bit more.
The Porsche 911 Carrera T is designed to make you think of old 911s. Its name references the 911 T of 1968-1973, a basic model designed to lower the barrier of entry for Porsche's then-new rear-engine six-cylinder sports car. There are gray painted mirrors, a modern reinterpretation of the single chromed mirror you used to get on a 911, while cloth seats and fabric door pulls also recall days gone by. Old 911s are simple machines鈥攕mall, lightweight and unburdened by technology, almost to a fault. That's why people love them so much. They offer a joyous, pared-back experience that's increasingly hard to find elsewhere. It's a very charming car, which became obvious in 500 miles of driving around Los Angeles and a trip to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. The T never offers raw, visceral thrills, but it's an absolute pleasure on a twisty road and even manages to engage everywhere else. But truly understanding the Carrera T requires context. August Achleitner, chief engineer for the 911 since 2001, told me. Of all the 鈥渂ig changes,鈥?the most impactful was that the 911 actually got bigger.
