Alvis has left the building
A SERIES of test drives makes up part of the in-depth signoff process for every new Alvis – and Auto Express was in attendance just in time to help out with the Vanden Plas.
First impressions are of a characteristically pre-war cabin; a high floor, tight footwells and a large steering wheel all add up to a driving position that’s comfortable, but snug. A pair of driving shoes would be preferable to our boots, which had to be removed to negotiate the tight pedal box.
The electronic immobiliser – another concession to usability – is deactivated with a keyfob, allowing the 4.3-litre engine to catch quickly on the modern ignition.
Pulling away is simple; a wealth of low-down torque means no throttle is required to get rolling, while the pedals, steering and gearshift are heavy and deliciously mechanical. There are six gears to play with and, with 175bhp and 245Nm of torque from the 4.3-litre straight six, the car is surprisingly sprightly. The feel and sound are akin to a meatier 2.5-litre Triumph engine, while the throttle response and low-down shove offer the perfect tonic to modern turbocharged engines. Tucked in behind the windscreen to escape the chill, we barrel towards a roundabout and our first test of the Tourer’s handling. It’s a long, heavy car compared to the cars of today and the unassisted steering needs plenty of effort, but it all feels tight and accurate.
Body control is average by modern standards, but stellar as far as pre-war classics go; everything mechanical is factory-fresh, after all, and so works exactly as it should. The leaf-sprung suspension needs time to settle, but manages to deliver a comfortable – if slightly bouncy – ride that’s no doubt aided by the car’s 10-foot wheelbase.
In fact, the Alvis feels far tighter than a pre-war car has much right to. Its composure and predictability on the move are perhaps the most obvious benefits of the firm’s modernisation efforts. The brakes impress, too, because while the owner opted for an unservoed system, there are discs all round; sometimes originality can happily be eschewed in the name of safety.