BMW 550e

SAY IT AIN’T SO, JOE. AFTER SIX months, the 550e is departing the TopGear Garage, and I am beyond bereft. It’s been a long time since I’ve adored a car more deeply.

- DRIVER: SAM PHILIP

£78,700 OTR/£93,382 as tested/£870 pcm WHY IT’S HERE: Does this most modern saloon have a place in modern Britain?

The 550e’s greatest trick is – for such a big, complex, heavy machine – how engaging, how engrossing, how damn analogue it feels. This is a car that’ll spirit you across many countries in total comfort (and surprising economy), then serve up a proper laugh on the mountain road at the other end. Ice, snow, sun: whatever the conditions, it’s a blast.