AUDIS ARE VERY GOOD SPORTS

Aston goes off-road

THIS is probably the most important car that Aston Martin has ever developed.

It’s the DBX SUV, Aston’s first off-roader which will be built in the company’s new St Athan factory in South Wales from the beginning of next year.

The DBX, which can be seen testing in this photo complete with disguise, is powered by a Mercedes-supplied 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine that produces 550bhp. Aston says the prototypes have already exceeded 180mph.

Why is the DBX so important? Because with Aston shares worth a quarter of their launch price this time last year, if the DBX isn’t a hit the company will be in trouble.

Or to be brutally frank, even more trouble than it’s in now. THESE will be popular. They’re Audi’s RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback high performance crossovers.

Both are powered by a 400ps petrol engine with a 0-62mph in 4.5sec punch.

The exciting bit is that this engine is Audi’s characterful 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine, as used in the TT RS.

The cars are available in standard Sport Edition or Vorsprung trims, with the latter featuring RS Sports suspension and VW’s dynamic chassis control.

Prices will be announced soon. McLAREN is building 15 special edition versions of its 720S supercar called Apex editions.

Each country has its own editions, and the Apex bit of the name refers to the corner speed of the 720S around the most famous corner of that country’s Grand Prix circuit.

For example, Apex Great Britain cars have the number 110 printed on their sills referring to 110mph around Silverstone’s Abbey corner.

The Apex Great Britain editions (six of them) cost £288,813 but you do get a track experience thrown in, complete with driver instruction.