evo magazine issue 348 August 2026 – on sale now
The 1980s Supercar Era
The latest edition of evo magazine, which hits newsstands in August 2026, takes readers back to the decade of excess with its Supercar Eras series. This issue focuses on the iconic vehicles that defined the decade, including the Lotus Esprit Turbo, Aston Martin V8 Zagato, Porsche 930S, Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV, De Tomaso Pantera, and the Ferrari Testarossa. Editor Dickie Meaden puts these automotive legends through their paces to see how they perform on modern roads.
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While the 1980s produced some of the most recognizable shapes in automotive history, their reliability and comfort often lagged behind. The Lotus Esprit Turbo, for example, was a technological marvel for its time but suffered from turbo lag and simple electronics. Similarly, the De Tomaso Pantera, while mechanically simple, was plagued by rust issues that plague many cars of that era. Meaden’s road tests provide a realistic look at whether these classics are still viable daily drivers or if they remain strictly weekend toys.
McLaren W1 and the Future of Hypercars
Bringing the supercar species right up to date, Henry Catchpole gets behind the wheel of the successor to the outstanding McLaren P1; the W1. Long-awaited and highly anticipated as a British alternative to the incredible Ferrari F80, it sends all of its 1258bhp to the rear wheels alone. The sheer power output represents a significant jump from previous hypercars, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a road-legal vehicle.
While the W1 focuses on raw power, Honda offers a different approach with the Super N. This Japanese Kei car, modified for use in Britain, produces less than 100bhp at its peak but features synthetic ‘gears’ for its all-electric powertrain and a sub-£20,000 price tag. It is a unique proposition for those looking for performance without the massive cost. On a similar note, Porsche has taken a leaf out of Hyundai N’s book with simulated gears in its latest Taycan in an effort to bring it up to speed with the rest of the performance EV market. We find out if this electronic trickery has done the trick.
Related: Toyota Takes Aim at Luxury Car Market
Track Performance and High-Speed Atoms
On track this issue, John Barker drives Ariel’s most expensive, powerful and quickest ever Atom with the 525bhp 4RR. The car is essentially a chassis with an engine, designed for pure speed and agility. It is a stark contrast to the more refined supercars featured in the road tests earlier in the issue. The Atom demonstrates that for some, the ultimate driving machine is one that removes all unnecessary weight and comfort features.
We also put Maserati’s £1m MCXtrema special head-to-head with its MC20 GT2 sibling, and get behind the wheel of Mercedes-AMG’s alternative with its GT2 racer. The MCXtrema represents the pinnacle of Maserati’s racing technology, while the MC20 GT2 serves as a more accessible version of the same racing philosophy. The comparison highlights the differences between a bespoke track weapon and a road-going race car.
