I know this looks like another gratuitous photo op – long – termer posed next to obscure racing car. But trust me: there is a point to this.

Its all about heritage. Trace the lineage of the 1M, and youll end up back at the 2002 Turbo, a car that really nailed what simple and fun driving could be about. No – frills stuff.

Go back further, and, before BMW stuck a turbo on it, the naturally aspirated 2002 donated its engine to the Chevron B8, the car you sec here. So there you go – link very much established.

Yes, the BMW 1M has got modern touches, like a twin turbo and full iPod connectivity, but it feels purer and less obsessed with niceties than the other modern M stuff. Like the Chevron and the 2002, its lairy, its got a manual gearbox, its compact…. it doesnt ride brilliantly – in short, it feels deliciously raw. So the historic jump from 1M to the 2002 and Chevron feels surprisingly close.

Audis baby has been stretched and pulled, and now has two extra doors, 11mm more headroom and 13mm more shoulder room. Question is, was it worth it?

Audis product offensive continues at a rate seemingly approaching the speed of light. The German company will spend ?9.6 billion up to 2015 developing new products, expanding the range to 42 models. And so step forward, the Al Sportback: Audis five – door take on the posh, trendy, little sub – compact hatch.

Think of it as the same, but slightly more. It shares the same footprint as the three – door, but is fractionally taller and wider, liberating 11mm more headroom and 13mm more shoulder room in the back.

A sunny, deserted Italian mountain road and a LAMBORGHINI SUPER TROFEO STRADALE. Sounds like heaven? It is. Until you hit ice at 70mph

Late mid – morning outside Hallers Bar in the small Italian town of Galeata and a Lamborghini Gallardo LP570 – 4 Super Trofeo Stradale has just eased its way onto the cobbles out front, burping up exhaust gas in a gently menacing manner. You cant miss it: one, its a Lamborghini; two, its painted in a deep Rosso Mars – think shiny venous blood; and three, its got a carbon – fibrc – composite rear wing the size of a small farmhouse table strapped to the back. As supercars go, this is about as unapologetic and unsubtle as it gets. Its also a

SsangYong has never had a wonderful reputation. And thats not about to change

This is the best SsangYong ever built. Which, as statements go, carries the prestige of best sexually transmitted disease. But its not intended as entirely derogatory – the new Korando crossover is a huge leap forward for Koreas oldest manufacturer.

Firstly, the styling. Traditionally, SsangYongs relationship with prettiness was uncordial at best, tending to the openly hostile. But, thanks to Giorgetto Giugiaro – he who drew the Mkl Golf – the Korando is actually an inoffensive, if not particularly exciting, little thing.

Unfortunately, other hereditary taints remain. Like clunky gearshifts, excessive road noise, ropey interior quality, galloping understeer, poor steering feel, illogical control layout, bouncy ride and woeful residuals.

Proving you dont need prodigious power or mega money to have serious fun, we pit the all – new SUZUKI Swift Sport against MINIs old master.

eVe all had our 205 GTI moments. Yammering about the place in a feather – light, bone – simple, screaming, little hatchback. Not giving a stuff for build quality or fancy equipment. And determinedly squeezing to the back of our minds any thoughts of the moment when bravery meets inexperience and tin – box Eighties supermini meets lamppost. But its 2012 now, and, my, how weve changed. Oooh, get us, were all grown – up, full of airs and graces and refusing to get out of bed without soft – feel dashboards and chromed climate switches and park sensors and low C02 ratings.