You’ll see that a Ford Fiesta XR2 is gracing the cover of new issue, which is incredibly good timing given the news about the car’s demise. We’d like to say that this was brilliant planning, but the truth is we nearly stuck the Lancia VX Volumex on the front. It was a close-run thing, but we’d be kicking ourselves if the Fiesta hadn’t made the cut.

Elsewhere, we’re delighted to welcome two new correspondents to the team. As the blonde lass off the telly, Sarah Crabtree needs no introduction, but you’ll also find words from Skorj, who will be bringing us the latest news on car culture in Japan. It’s a terrific issue for our correspondents, with Sam Glover swapping a utility car for a Bentley (yes, really), Darren Walker waxing lyrical about the Eagle Premier, Ben Hooper breaking down in an Audi, and Stephen Tanner making us feel jealous that we don’t live in New Zealand. Oh, and don’t forget Colin Corke, who chips in with another motoring nugget.

We’re incredibly fortunate to have a fantastic team of correspondents, so join us in raising a glass of Blue Nun to their brilliance.

There is plenty to more to get your teeth stuck into, including six of the best 105-series Alfa Romeos, the Ultimate Guide to the Smart Roadster, a look back at the 1972 British Motor Show, the Ogle Cortina GT, Toyota Avensis and Nissan Prairie. If we had sent this email a day earlier, we’d have called it a scarily good issue. As it is, with Bonfire Night around the corner, we’ll call it smoking hot.