Before all of this current rubbish started (how else to describe it), I was considering a replacement for the S3. Perhaps I’m starting to be too old for hot hatches (hope not), but I find its seats don’t really work for me, and it is pretty harsh on some of our local roads. Of course, I’m never totally logical with cars, so I could well be swayed by a nice engine note.
As much as I like the idea of the Tesla 3, I don’t think I can make it work for me. So, we’ll leave EVs out for the time being.
My wife doesn’t like having to get down to ground level to get into, or out of, the car, so that pushes consideration towards some of the various forms of SUV. There are, of course, a couple of types here. Real, go anywhere vehicles, or fake ones that are simply hatches/station wagons that sit a bit higher than usual. I already have a ‘real’ one, so I’m not forced in either direction here. But, it will have to have something that makes it ‘interesting’. The vast majority of these cars are the mobile equivalent of fridges. Even before my super was raped by CV19, I didn’t want to spend a fortune.
So, what are we left with? Well, going with the child in me...
New S3/RS3. Unlikely. Not a fan of dealing with Audi, plus their cars have been progressively becoming more and more ugly (and yes, I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder).
Mark 8 Golf R. No details yet, but the lower versions give some idea. The previous Rs had much better seats than the S3, but are otherwise mechanical twins. Not too sure about dealing with VW though.
Something really different:
Alfa Giulia, but sadly not the V6 version. The package is very interesting, but you do have to wonder about AR though. Dealerships are pretty thin on the ground.
Outsider:
Jaguar XE.
Amongst the fake SUVs:
The Alfa Stelvio. Interesting package, but with that same AR cloud.
Audi RSQ3. Great noise, but seems to have been hit with the ugly stick. Any interior colour you like, as long as it’s black (which I hate). Audi.
Jaguar E or F Pace. E is the right size, but it’s heavier than the F.
And a real SUV.
Land Rover Defender 90.
So, whilst locked down, I can amuse myself building virtual cars. At least I don’t have to pay for them.