Twenty clicks and a tollgate further down the motorway, we pull off in the direction of green hills and winding roads. Selecting a route from our veritable pick-and-mix, we flick into Sport mode to put this low emission beast through its paces. Again, suddenly we’re driving a different car.
The whole car hunkers down, the steering becomes weightier, speed is delivered instantly with the smallest flick of the ankle, and scrubbed off just as quickly. Paddle shift gear changes are swifter, more linear. And if we forget to change up, we’re well into the redline before the automotive transmission kicks in. Though sat-nav directions kick gear selection off the head-up display, current pace and speed limits are clear to see on the windscreen front and centre. Several swooping corners in, we try our luck in Sport Plus into the next corner.
Slow in, full lock right and a bootful, and the rear gracefully steps out with muted tyre squeal. Suddenly this executive saloon feels nimble and lithe, the traction-control ‘off’ light telling us it won’t be held responsible if we bin it. Then again, awesome amounts of grip and feathering the throttle when we go too deep means there’s little fear of that. Back in Comfort mode, the car is more responsive than it has any right to be on these roads, even re-charging the battery when it can.
Several hours of general larking around pass, as do dozens of petrol stations. Back at the hotel, the keys are returned to their keepers. Raiding the minibar, we ponder – given the opportunity – which other parts of Portugal we’d rather tour in the ActiveHybrid 5: frugal city streets, or piston pumping country roads. Our choice probably won’t surprise you.
