Editorial

‘Top that!’ must be Mercedes’ attitude at the announcement of its tyre-shredding-if-it-didn’t-have-a-lot-of-electronic-controls AMG 6.3 litre V8 C-Class. The car’s 450bhp is a touch higher than Audi’s RS4, but it’s the 500Nm of torque available from 2000 to 6250rpm (430Nm from Ingolstadt) that should deliver the killer blow. And it’s available with a conventional (7-speed) automatic too, that ‘blips’ the throttle – like the DB9 – between down-changes.

The Audi, the Mercedes and the new BMW M3 - it’s your call really as to in which car you feel most comfortable behind the wheel. We’re not talking driving position or long-distance posture issues; it’s a matter of perceived image to the world at large, and far be it for us to sway your judgement.

Have you heard of the 20° Circuito Stradale del Mugello? No, neither had I but thanks to one of our intrepid reporters it’s now on the Classic Driver Road Map and, sitting at a desk looking out at yet another grey day in Northern Europe, it seems to be a great event that is just one of many held at this time of year.

I’m not jealous of course, but thanks Roberto, you’ve really brightened up my day.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com