Out now: motoring iPad App 58

A rich and fulsome Alfa Romeo history has been significantly damaged over the last few decades as a series of largely badge-engineered mass-market pretenders have been paraded before the faithful Alfa fans.

But now the light has appeared at the end of what’s been a long, dark tunnel.

Combining cutting edge composite technologies to deliver race car-like structural properties – like ultra light weight – with a frugal, high-tech turbocharged 1.8 four-cylinder, the 4C promises plenty... And by our man in Europe’s estimation, it delivers a lot.

But is it a real Alfa Romeo? Download the motoring.com.au App and find out...

If the Land Rover Defender were a feeble worker, it would have been pensioned off and put out to pasture by now. It is a vehicle that feels like it’s been around forever. In fact, it has been – it's been with us in one form or another for the better part of 65 years.

We look back at this iconic vehicle, tracing its humble beginnings through to the latest model, which we've also driven. And we take a look at whether a formula conceived seven decades ago can survive in the modern age.

Chris Atkinson is one of the best World Rally Championship drivers ever to come out of this country. Sadly, he doesn't have a full time driving gig, but that could change very soon thanks to Hyundai.

The Gold Coast driver just needs to lock down one of the two factory drives to take advantage of everything the new Hyundai Motorsport factory has to offer. Atkinson, whose testing performances in the three-door i20 WRC car in Spain recently drew praise from the Hyundai Motorsport bosses. Find out what Atko's chances are at getting the gig and why Hyundai rates him so highly.

We also test drive the new 4 Series, a suitable successor to BMW's 3 Series Coupe – and a tantalising basis for the all-new M4. And for a bit of fun we go retro in Audi’s original Ur-Quattro Coupe. It was a vey quick spin but enough time to appreciate where quattro began and how it has shaped the present models.

Download the free motoring.com.au iPad App issue 58; just the thing you need for those boring meetings. While those sitting opposite will think you are feverishly checking appointments and spreadsheets, we'll know better. Available for FREE now and every fortnight from the Newsstand in the iTunes store.